In Mark 16 records an interesting verse of scripture.
Mark 16:15-16 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Many people call this the Great Commission. The word commission means: "to appoint or assign to a task or function". Here we see that Jesus instructed his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel. The word preach is the word kerusso meaning:
1) To be a herald, to officiate as a herald. 1a) To proclaim after the manner of a herald.
The followers of Jesus Christ were to go and tell.
These instructions were given to his disciples not very long before he ascended. Mark 16 holds some of the last words that Jesus spoke to his followers.
Now, nearly every church takes this text and teaches that we are instructed to do the same and rightfully so. After all, what kind of church would we be if we did not speak up and proclaim the name or four Lord Jesus?
Many churches developed programs on how to implement the verses into outreach strategies. They commission people and send them out to speak the gospel of the kingdom. They call them missionaries, wows, ambassadors, lights, and so on. Many churches are outreach oriented, and they should be.
The book of Acts adds light regarding the same event.
Acts 1:6-9 6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
In verse 8 we read that they would be witnesses unto him first in Jerusalem then in all Judaea and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Again we see that the apostles were instructed to speak the Word of God and be a witness.
Matthew 28:16-20 16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here we have more instruction Jesus gave in his last days that he was here with his disciples. Note verse 20, he said, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:"
Now this brings up an interesting point. If Jesus' disciples were obedient and listened they would surely teach their students to observe ALL things that he had commanded them, wouldn't they? I'd like to bring another verse to your attention.
Acts 1:1-2 1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Theophilus is not a single individual's name, but a generic term meaning "beloved of God." Luke is writing to all that are beloved of God, to all that Jesus began both to do and teach. These two words here must never be overlooked: DO and TEACH.
Most churches dwell on the teaching aspect of Jesus Christ's ministry. However, God's Word records what Jesus taught and DID. Let's return to the gospel of Mark once again in Chapter 16.
These are wonderful verses, all of God's Word is wonderful. However, most churches end with these verses. The problem with that is God doesn't end there. Let's read on.
Mark 16:17-19 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Here we have God's Word. Here we have Jesus' instructions to our day and time. Now I'd like to bring to your remembrance:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The disciples were instructed to teach their students to observe all things that Jesus commanded them. The word observe is the Greek word tereo meaning: "to cause a state to continue to cause to continue, to retain, to keep." Jesus wanted his teachings to continue long after he was gone. But Jesus also wanted his DEEDS to continue long after he was gone also. For the most part this is where the Christian church has missed the boat.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
The word signs is the word semeion meaning: "a sign, mark, token that by which a person or thing is distinguished from others and is known." What was to distinguish a Christian believer were the signs that followed his believing action. This is a normal part of the Christian experience.
The proof that they were genuine believers were the signs that followed them. The fruit of their believing was attested to by signs that followed. The signs marked them out and distinguished them from unbelievers and from unbelieving believers.
Now, what were some of the signs Jesus said would follow? "In my name shall they cast out devils." The majority of Christians, for the most part are very uneasy with this verse.
The devil has so covered his existence that many Christians do not even acknowledge him anymore. Some dismiss him as defeated and unable to interfere in human affairs. Then you have the ones who teach that if you bring up the devil, you are glorifying him.
God teaches us much about the devil; are you so ignorant as to believe that God glorifies the devil? Now either Jesus lied in Mark 16 or he didn't. There is no neutrality on this issue. If you believe Jesus Christ, you are with him. If you don't, you are against him. It's that clear.
Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Now, churches have split over this issue!!! It seems that if you mention the word devil or evil spirit that people start to squirm AND get real uncomfortable.
The contemporary Christian church likes to hear about the love of Jesus, the suffering and glory of our Lord, but when you mention evil spirits, they get nervous. People think that if they don't mention the adversary that he will just leave them alone. Nothing is farther from the truth.
When the devil is not exposed by sound biblical teaching and revelation, he is free to oppress people unchallenged. Some go a lifetime putting up with the oppression and excuse it to, "I've always been this way and I just can't change. So, I learn to put up with it."
Each evil spirit has it's own personality. One common burning desire with demons is that they crave a body to live in. If they can't have the body of a human, then they will settle for the body of an animal. Their thinking is so perverted along these lines, they call the person in which they live, their home.
Matthew 12:43-44 43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
According to verse 43 the spirit has left the man. The spirit then refers to the man as his house in verse 44. We will continue to search the scriptures in our next issue to consider God's Word on this subject.
To be continued …ÿ