God’s Plan for Reaching the Nations
On God’s Plan for Reaching the Nations....
“The Old Testament includes important references to the Holy Spirit, many of them focused on God’s work in the nation of Israel. When moving from Old to New Testament there are major areas of prophetic fulfillment concerning the Spirit. There is also further detail in the NT concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit. A new development is that the power of the Holy Spirit is crucial for the mission of Christ’s followers, to spread the gospel to all nations and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18–20).” (Erickson, Key Connections, 227).(Excerpts are from Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament, by M. A. Erickson. (Wipf and Stock Publishers 2023, Kindle version).)
The Mission
"Key NT teachings focus on Christ’s mission to the world (cf. Luke 24:47–49; Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18–20). God’s love reaches out to the world, and the invitation to join God’s family extends to all people. God’s people are called to extend this invitation with genuine love for all people (2 Cor 5:14–21). So NT teachings cannot be allowed to be a barrier that would hinder Christ’s followers from loving people of all backgrounds and positions in life." (Key Connections, 159).
"As clearly stated in the New Testament, the risen Christ gave a worldwide mission to the disciples: they were to go with the message of redemption and teach others (Matt 28:18–20; Luke 24:45–49; John 20:19–21). They were to baptize and make disciples. They were to mentor and train and serve, loving God and loving people. This continues on today. The word must be empowered by the Spirit. In the hands of the Holy Spirit, the word cuts through all barriers, lies, and excuses. This word is sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). On the positive side, the word of God builds faith and reveals more of God, more of Christ, and more of the Holy Spirit. It is the word of disclosure, revelation, and healing. The word is not impersonal truth, because Jesus is the living truth, the Logos, the Word made flesh (John 1:1–3, 14; 14:4–7)." (Key Connections, 305-306).
"God’s work through his word includes new birth, spiritual growth, and lifelong transformation to become more and more like Christ. The Holy Spirit is expanding the work of Christ into every nation. In sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, every follower of Christ is called to use their gifts, talents, and callings to touch the world: serving, loving, acting to meet human needs and supporting other followers of Christ as they fulfill their own part in the mission. This has the potential of bringing Christ’s work throughout the world to impact every nation, tribe, and tongue." (Key Connections, 306).
"The gift of the Holy Spirit becomes available to all nations through faith in Jesus Christ. And, the Holy Spirit provides the power needed to take the gospel to all nations, to fulfill Christ’s mission. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit develops incredible fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and other fruit (Gal 5:22–23). This fruit meets humanity’s deepest needs and guides people into loving ways. The Spirit can potentially provide daily power to every believer, enabling us to walk in the paths of what is good and right rather than in the ways of the corrupted human flesh (Rom 8:1–11)." (Key Connections, 236-237).
"On the day of Pentecost, all of Christ’s followers were filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:1–4; cf. Acts 1:4–5). Miraculous signs occurred: the sound of a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the disciples speaking in tongues they had not learned (Acts 2:1–11). Peter identifies this outpouring as fulfillment of Joel’s OT prophecy that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:16–17). In the OT the presence of God had filled the tabernacle and the temple at various times; now, the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) was dwelling with, and in, the followers of Jesus. This signifies a momentous change. The Holy Spirit would now dwell in Christ’s followers (individually and corporately) as the temples of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). The Holy Spirit would empower Christ’s followers to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8)." (Key Connections, 229-230).
"Messiah Jesus blesses the church with the Holy Spirit for the central purpose of being witnesses for Christ and completing the mission Christ has given it, to make disciples of all nations (Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18–20)." (Key Connections, 95).
*Excerpts taken from Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock, Dec. 2023, Kindle version). The book is available in print or Kindle formats at Amazon.com, at:
Amazon.com, Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament
More On God’s Plan for Reaching the Nations....
From:
Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock 2019).
"The change from the OT nation of Israel to the NT communities of faith had a crucial pragmatic dimension when viewed as the development of God’s plan for reaching the nations. The NT communities of faith were the new strategy, the new societal unit that would become the vehicle for the message of Christ and the work of spiritual transformation for God’s people as accomplished by the Spirit of God among the nations. The physical realities of land and sword, circumcision, food laws, ceremonial laws, and enforced civil laws, while necessary for God’s purposes in protecting the integrity of Israel as a nation over many centuries, are set aside for the next stage in God’s plan..." (p. 113)
Excerpt from:
Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock 2019). The book is available in print or Kindle formats at:
Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes Between the Testaments at Amazon.com
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