• The Basis For Missionary Imperative
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12).
“Salvation in … no other name.” The disciples were convinced that the greatest need of every individual was salvation from sin and the wrath of God, and they preached that only Jesus Christ could meet this need. This truth reveals the exclusive nature of the gospel and the church’s heavy responsibility of preaching the gospel to every person. If there were other ways of salvation, the church could be at ease. But according to Jesus Himself (John 14:6), there is no hope for anyone apart from salvation through Him (cf. 10:43; 1 Tim 2:5-6). This is the basis for the missionary imperative.
“Now separate to Me, Barnabas, and Saul for the work to which I have called them,” (Acts 13:2). The work to which God had called Barnabas and Saul was the work of evangelism.
Evangelism is a high priority with God. Anyone not engaged in seeking to win souls is not in the will of God. God said as regards harvest, “no one is to appear before me empty handed,” (Ex 23:15). Note carefully!
God does not want us to think of ourselves alone. He wants us to ensure that the poor also gets salvation. This is the theological interpretation of the law on gleaning (Lv. 19:9, 10).
The greatest impediment to the poor worshipping God is bitterness (Jas. 2:5). When there is social justice and the rich takes care of the poor, it helps to remove bitterness and the poor will be more receptive to the God’s word.
Therefore, the Final “Harvest” (Rev 14:14-20) and “Wedding Banquet” (Rev 19:7-9) described in Revelation are for the victorious of the whole world: husbands, wives, children, domestic staff, employers and employees, rich and poor, men and women, Jews and Gentiles, literate and illiterate, the blind, the deaf, the crippled, among others.
In short every human being. We are all made in God’s image and as such we all have equal value before God. This is the message conveyed in the parables of “The Lost Son”(Luke 15:11-32); “The Lost Sheep” (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7); and “The Lost Coin” (Luke 15:8-10). Every soul matters to God. Note this verse: “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones,” (Eph. 5:30). Christ indeed cares for and loves every human being on earth no matter how wretched, dirty, wicked or lost. He yearns to retrieve every soul and He wants every believer to help others find God — hence His statement: “I will make you fishers of men,” (Mt. 4:19).
•Email:mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk. www.thebiblicalwomanhood.com. Mobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987
