10/29/2014 CONCERN FOR ALL NATIONS
Matthew 28:18-20 HE told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore so and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world." [Living Bible translation]
Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the HOLY SPIRIT comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. [New International translation]
Definition: "Commission": A command, instruction or duty given to a group of people charged with a specific function.
Summary
Matthew 28:18-20 is known as "The GREAT COMMISSION." Some churches call it their "MISSION STATEMENT." In army terms, some might say it was the disciples' "marching orders," and "the marching orders" of every disciple of CHRIST thereafter. These verses are the divine instructions of our HEAVENLY COMMANDER, the resurrected JESUS CHRIST.
There is no doubt that JESUS wanted HIS disciples to be concerned about all nations. Acts 1:8 emphasizes that the disciples were to be "witnesses" in "Jerusalem" (where the local church was located) in "Judea" (where other places of worship and disciples were located, in "Samaria" (where "those other churches" were located that the disciples could not even "imagine" worshipping with) and "even to the end of the world." The disciples were to be witnesses everywhere to all nations and nationalities.