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QUESTION 84:
Whose responsibility is it to spread the gospel, the minister or the Christians?

ANSWER:
A casual reading of the New Testament will answer this question. There you will not even find "the minister" of "a church" mentioned anywhere.

The commission to spread the gospel was given to the eleven disciple in Matthew 28:18-19 and Mark 16:15, and they represented all believers. This is verified in Acts 8:4 where we read " . . . they (except the apostles -Acts 8:1) were all scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching the word." We read in John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" We rightly believe that the "He" means anyone. In John 7:38 we read "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (inner most being) shall flow rivers of living waters" This means that the life we have in Christ shall flow out to others. We so readily accept John 3:36 while we practically denied John 7:38. The woman at the well in John 4 was told ". . but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (to others)"- John 4:14. The church at Thessalonica was a model church. They not only received the word joyfully but it "sound out to all the land" - 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Christians who are not witnessing for Christ soon become stagnated and withered up. Initially a person hears the gospel Romans 10:17 believes in his heart Romans 10:10 and confesses with the mouth Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Romans 10:9. This confession is not something done once and for all but is to be continue throughout the Christian life. We are exhorted to "hold fast the profession of our faith"- Hebrews 10:23 It is the evidence that you have it.

What about you dear reader, have you got it? Are you saved? If you are, are you witnessing for Him?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen