Day of The Ascension of Jesus Christ
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 28:18 Jesus approached them and said, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go to all the nations of the whole world, and make them my followers.
Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit of God.
Matthew 28:20 Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you. And remember I will always be with you until the end of time."
Mark 16:15
Then Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and spread the Good News from God to all mankind.
Acts of the Apostles -1:8 (NIV)
“But you will have power when the Spirit of God has come to you. And you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The four books of the Bible tell of Jesus' ascension to heaven in different languages, but the point is one: "Spread the gospel throughout the world"
At this time many people are mistaken with the interpretation spread the gospel. Many interpret those words to mean we should Christianize everyone.
That's been a misleading fallacy so far. What is meant by spreading the gospel message is "preaching the good news", so it has nothing to do with converting people beliefs to become Christian or christianize the people
During his ministry on earth, we never see Jesus telling anyone to follow him, except for the 12 apostles and certain people.
When healing people Jesus doesn't say "Be my follower", when casting out demons from someone, He didn't say "be my follower". He simply said, "Do not sin again" or "Your sins are forgiven."
Another thing as stated in the Book of Acts, He says that when the Spirit of God has come to you, then you will have power.
So the Evangelism is:
1. Teach/preach/spread the gospel to tribes/nations on earth.
Not to everyone on earth. And now it is almost fulfilled. Almost all the tribes on the surface of the earth have heard about Jesus.
2. Preaching the gospel means preaching the good news about the Lord Jesus.
So preaching the gospel doesn't mean giving people financial aid: food. drinks: home; money etc. on the condition that the person becomes a Christian. It is better for all these things to be given to brothers and sisters who are in need.
After all, we know the quality/price of a person that money can buy to convert beliefs. If we want to help people, just help, don't add the frills of being told to change religions.
3. Preaching the gospel must be by the power of the Spirit of God.
We cannot preach the gospel if we do not know God ourselves. The Apostle Paul himself preached the gospel on a schedule given by the Holy Spirit. The pattern of evangelism in Indonesia follows the pattern of the evangelism of Western churches who want to Christianize everyone.
Actually this heretical teaching will not be used in Indonesia, if we understand about the holy book. A person can become a Christian or follower of Jesus is not an ordinary thing, but it contains supernatural things, because the Bible says
1 Corinthians 12:3 - NIV
"You should know that a person who is led by the Spirit of God cannot say, "Jesus be cursed!" Likewise, no one can say, "Jesus is Lord!" unless that person is led by the Spirit of God."
So someone can become a Christian is by the choice of the Holy Spirit, not because of the human will. Still don’t believe it.... here's another verse:
John : 15:16 – BIS
"You didn't choose me. I chose you, and told you to go forth to bear much fruit--fruit that doesn't perish......"
A person can become a follower of Jesus, because God has chosen that person. Many evangelists claim that they have made many people to follow Jesus What actually makes people follow Jesus, the evangelist or the Spirit of God working on people who become Christians?
So Christianity does not mean Christianizing people, what God wants from us is to preach the gospel to all ethnic groups, and to do good by loving everyone.
We must act like Jesus who did not make any conditions in helping people, healing people, delivering people from evil spirits and many other good deeds that Jesus did.
Evangelism can be done from ourselves, if we can live in peace with everyone, love each other, live in holiness, obey God, then people will automatically be interested in seeing us.
Because they see Jesus living in us, but if what people see from us it's just anger, bitterness, rottenness of heart, so no one wants to follow Jesus.
How can people be attracted to Christianity when in Indonesia alone there are hundreds of churches that stand on their own and claim that they are the truest church, based on the Bible.
So, if someone from outside wants to convert to be a Christian, which church does he go to? Moreover, between churches tell each other that the other church is heretical.
Revival can only happen in our country, if all believers in Indonesia unite, all churches unite, and forgive each other. The Word itself says:
Romans 12:4 - BIS
Our body has many members. Each member has their own task.
So are we. Although we are all many, we are one body because we are united in Christ. And each of us relates to one another as members of one body.
Jesus loves you and whole your family
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