In commissioning the disciples to “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation,” Christ promised them the power whereby this could be accomplished. “Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” He also said, “tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.” On the day of Pentecost, they “were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
We marvel at the result of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, and yet, it is no marvel when we consider the power by which he spake. Wherever the apostles preached we see notable results. What was their secret? “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” When the Holy Spirit is in complete control, we see God-given results. It is little wonder that failure accompanies so many of the church today.
When it was the good pleasure of God to send forth the gospel “unto the uttermost part of the earth…” the Holy Spirit said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Note that they were “sent forth by the Holy Spirit.” This is sometimes referred to as the beginning of “foreign missions.” Here we have a beautiful picture of perfect harmony of cooperation between the divine and human agencies in the ordination and appointment of Christian workers.
The success of missions always depends on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Failure is usually traced to man’s leaning on the flesh. We must bear in mind that “salvation is of God,” and we are simply His instruments. These instruments, therefore, must be directed and controlled by the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s program of salvation.
Why is the church today lagging so far behind in foreign missions? There are thousands throughout the world who have never heard the Gospel, and if the present condition exists for long, they will go into eternity “having no hope and without God.” Man-made organizations and methods will never meet the need. The only solution is for the church to return to God’s principles and methods under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
We need not question whether “missions” are in the will of God. Actually, reaching the lost is THE will of God. His love for lost souls and plan for their salvation is world-wide in its scope; He is “not wishing that any should perish.” Let us, then, surrender to His will which means some will “go into all the world” and others will support the work with prayers and gifts.
-Harold Preston, in “Missionary Messenger”, Vol. XXXV, No. 1, January 1958