Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 182

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Gospel Commission. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.

1. Before leaving His disciples, what great commission did Christ give them?

"And He said unto them, _Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature_." Mark 16:15.

NOTE.-The word gospel means good news, or glad tidings.

2. What is the gospel of Christ?

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for _it is the power of G.o.d unto salvation to every one that believeth_." Rom. 1:16.

3. How extensively and for how long did Christ say the gospel should be preached?

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached _in all the world_ for a witness unto all nations; and _then shall the end come_." Matt. 24:14.

4. Why was the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles?

"Simeon hath declared how G.o.d at the first did visit the Gentiles, _to take out of them a people for His name_." Acts 15:14.

5. How are those who preach the gospel described?

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy G.o.d reigneth." Isa. 52:7.

6. What was the object of Christ's ministry?

"I the Lord have called Thee in righteousness, and will hold Thine hand, and will keep Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; _to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house_."

Isa. 42:6, 7.

7. For what purpose did Christ select the apostle Paul, and send him to the Gentiles?

"And He said, ... I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, _to make thee a minister and a witness ... to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto G.o.d_, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." Acts 26:15-18.

8. What is the Christian minister commanded to preach?

"Preach _the word_." 2 Tim. 4:2.

9. Of what did Christ say the Scriptures testify?

"They are they which testify of _Me_." John 5:39.

NOTE.-Every one, therefore, who preaches the word aright, will preach Christ. Paul, who faithfully preached G.o.d's word, said he was determined not to know (i.e., to make known) anything "save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Cor. 2:2. Jonathan Edwards was once asked by a young minister what he thought of a sermon he had just preached. "It was a very poor sermon, indeed," said Mr.

Edwards. "Why?" asked the young minister. "Because," said Mr.

Edwards, "there was no _Christ_ in it." All the great truths of the Scriptures center in Christ. Rightly understood, all lead to Him. Christ, therefore, should be presented in every discourse as the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan of salvation.

10. How does G.o.d expect His ministers to preach the word?

"He that hath My word, let him speak My word _faithfully_." Jer. 23:28.

11. How did Christ present the truth to the people?

"And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, _as they were able to hear it_." Mark 4:33.

NOTE.-Ministers should learn to adapt their labors to those for whom they labor-to meet the people where they are.

12. What rule for teaching doctrine is laid down in the Bible?

"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isa. 28:10.

13. How should the servant of G.o.d labor?

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if G.o.d peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Tim. 2:24, 25.

NOTE.-While the claims of the law of G.o.d are presented to the sinner, ministers should never forget that love-the love of G.o.d-is the only power that can soften the heart and lead to repentance and obedience, and that to _save_ men is their great work.

14. As a preparation for their work, what did Christ do to the apostles?

"Then _opened He their understanding_, that they might understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45.

15. For what did He tell them to tarry in Jerusalem?

"But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, _until ye be endued with power from on high_." Verse 49.

16. How did the apostles preach the gospel?

"With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 1 Peter 1:12.

17. What was the result of this preaching?

"_Many_ of them which heard the word _believed_." "And the word of G.o.d _increased_; and _the number of the disciples multiplied_ in Jerusalem _greatly_; and a great company of the _priests_ were obedient to the faith." Acts 4:4; 6:7.

18. What promise is made to the faithful gospel minister?

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, _shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him_." Ps. 126:6.