The Great Omission: What most teachers leave out of The Great Commission.

Introduction:

Welcome to part one of a six part bible study on The great Omission. I chose this title because I want to look at The Great Commission from a little bit different perspective. 99% of the time when a preacher preaches on The Great Commission, he or she will use the account in the book of Matthew. Now this account is accurate, as far as it goes, it just leaves out some vital information that Mark’s account includes, so I have chose to go with Mark’s account for this study.


Some so-called theologians attempt to debunk or refute validity of the last 11 verses of Mark 16 because they allegedly may not have appeared in some of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible. Whether they were or were not in those original manuscripts is irrelevant. They are in the Bible we read today. And, either ALL of the Bible is true, relevant, and applicable to our lives today, or none of it is. We don’t get to pick and choose which parts are true or not based or our comfort level with that passage says. So, I have decided to delve into largely uncharted territory. Feel free to join in.

Part One: Overview Mark 16:15-18

What we have come to know as “The Great Commission” is something that is taught, believed, and practiced by most if not all mainstream churches, both denominational and non-denominational. Most churches and preachers use the text found in Matthew 28: 19 & 20. While this passage give the command clearly, it doesn’t describe how to know if you have successfully carried out the commission.

Mark’s gospel in chapter 16 verses 15-18 not only reiterates the command to go into the world and make believers out of all men, but goes on to describe what a believer looks and acts like. In these verses some of the many “signs that accompany” those who believe are described. They are both literal and metaphorical in their meaning. In this 6 week study, we will look at and openly discuss both the literal and metaphorical meaning of each of the signs mentioned in this passage.

Mark 16:15

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…” This verse has long been the basis, the rallying cry if you will for churches to implement foreign missions programs. To send missionaries to far flung regions of the world to countries no one has ever heard of and can’t pronounce. These people need the Lord and the gospel message without a doubt, but if/when we as individuals or as a church only focus on these who are far off, are we missing something?

Discussion questions: Mark 16:15

What does “Go into all the world” mean to you?

My personal belief is that our “world” starts right in our own back yard. I believe we should not waste one second of our time nor one dime of our resources on reaching those who are in far off lands unless and until we have done everything we can to win the lost in our own families, our own schools, workplaces, and our town. How many times have we gotten all excited about hundreds or thousands coming to Christ in a third world country when our neighbor three houses down died without knowing the Lord and we were totally oblivious to it? To me this is wrong on so many levels.

How do you most effectively “preach the gospel to every creature“?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but it is also true; we may be the only Bible some people ever read. That should scare the fire out of us. We are much greater witnesses either for or against Christ by what we do than by what we say. Our actions and the way we live our lives will either prove us to be the real deal, the genuine article, or just another in a long line of hypocrites.

Discussion questions: Mark 16:16

Can a person be saved an go to Heaven without being baptized?

Personally, I would say yes. While baptism is an act of obedience (Jesus Himself was baptized) and a sign to the world of one’s new found faith, it is largely symbolic and has no saving power in and of itself. Otherwise, how would you account for those who accept Christ on their death beds who die before they have the chance to be baptized?

Those who don’t believe will be condemned. Does this mean God will send them to Hell?

No. It means they send themselves there by their failure to believe and accept Christ. Hell was created not for those who die without Christ, but rather as the eternal dwelling place for Satan and his minions. It is our choice whether we join them there or not.

Discussion questions Mark 16: 17 & 18

These next two verses describe 5 signs that will accompany those who believe. Are these the only signs that accompany believers? If not, what are some others.

Galations 5:22 & 23 describes to us what it calls the “fruit of the Spirit”. A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17). Trees that bear bad fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10). When a person truly becomes a believer and a Christ follower, they will begin to show signs of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galations 5:22 & 23).

What signs of your faith and belief in Christ accompany your daily lives?

In part 2 we will discuss the first sign; “In my name they will cast out demons”

Be thinking about this between now and part 2.

Does this mean we are to be performing exorcisms?

What, if any, demons or demonic influences need to be cast out of your lives?