June 7, 2020
Matthew 28:18-20 [The Great Commission] … “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” vs. 19
While initially there may have been some followers of Jesus who believed themselves to be the leaders of a reform movement within Judaism, it didn’t take long for the majority to understand themselves as evangelists to the world. By the end of the first century there were outposts of believers stationed throughout the Mediterranean world to the west, as far as India in the east, and all the way to Ethiopia in the south. The Spirit had given them a passion for reaching the world with the good news of forgiveness and life that came straight from the teachings of Jesus. Nothing—not even the persecutions of the Roman Empire—could slow them down. Today we’re not sure what to do with that Great Commission. Some continue to risk their lives to gain converts and offer baptism. Others have rejected the cultural abuses of the missionary era and have decided to put evangelism on the back burner in their faith communities. They focus on accommodation rather than conversion and try to find common ground with other world religions. The result of that shift has been a significant loss of passion for sharing the Gospel. In many families, parents have even stopped evangelizing their children! When zeal for the Good News is lost, the light of the Christ is dimmed! Houston, we may have a problem!!!!
Thought for the Day: What does evangelism look like in the 21st century?
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