The Great Commission is one of the last commands Jesus left His disciples before ascending into heaven. We understand that though He was speaking to the apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” was intended to be obeyed by every Christian. In the earliest days of the church, we see exactly that. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
Each of us has a responsibility to share the gospel, but we often have trouble deciding when to share it or who to share it with. Of course, not every moment is the right time to preach Christ. Your boss probably wouldn’t appreciate it in the middle of a company meeting. We need to be careful to wait for opportunities that are appropriate. However, we do not need to be so careful when deciding who needs to hear it.
Are we picky when it comes to deciding who to teach about Jesus? Sometimes we limit our outreach to people we feel are already “good enough” to be taught. Other times we hold off because it could get us more involved with someone we would rather not. Some may even withhold the gospel based on how a person looks. Brethren, we cannot be so arrogant as to prejudge a person’s worthiness of the gospel.
When Peter preached the gospel for the first time in Acts 2, he probably had very little reservations as to who would receive the message. All those present were his people: Jews. When they asked Peter “What shall we do?” he gladly told his brethren the message of salvation.
Later, in Acts 10, Peter would be commanded by God to preach to someone he might have apprehensions about. The Spirit led Peter to Caesarea to preach to a gentile. Not just any gentile, but a Roman centurion. Like any of his peers, Peter had strong prejudices against the idolatrous gentiles, let alone one serving in the military occupying his country.
However, after receiving a vision from God and hearing Cornelius’ testimony, Peter realized something. “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). The Lord then confirmed this message by endowing Cornelius and his house with the Holy Spirit. So, Peter baptized them for the remission of their sins.
Peter thought he knew who was worthy of the gospel, but he misjudged the breadth of God’s love. God doesn’t pick and choose who is worthy, He offers it freely to all who will believe (Acts 10:43). We have no place to judge who is worth teaching Jesus to. That is only for God to decide. Whatever nation or social status a person may belong, everyone deserves to hear the gospel. Let’s evangelize without partiality.