The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

The Responsibility of Every Member

The commission of the Savior was meant for every soul naming the name of Jesus. BSPC 187.4

“The Savior’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time.” The Desire of Ages, 822. BSPC 187.5

This is not at all surprising, for the Master gave to every man his work. This was emphasized in His ministry on several occasions. Matthew records in the parable of the talents that Jesus gave it “to every man according to his several ability” (Matthew 25:15). Mark’s record reads that Christ gave “to every man his work” (Mark 13:34). Luke refers to the final reckoning and tells how the Lord would look to see “how much every man had gained by trading” (Luke 19:15). Hence no one is left out; every disciple of Christ Jesus is called into service. That responsibility and that privilege are the lot of every member of the church of Christ. BSPC 187.6

In the apostolic days those who accepted the gospel of salvation were enthusiastic missionaries of the cross. The time came when persecution arose in Jerusalem and resulted in a great scattering of the early believers. But the apostles were not driven out. The leaders of the Jewish church saw to it that they were confined to the Holy City. In scattering the believers, the Pharisees naturally hoped that, being without their shepherds, they would soon grow weary and give up the faith. In this they sadly miscalculated. For these believers, once driven out of Jerusalem, awoke to the wonderful opportunities before them. We do not read of their complaining or mourning over their losses, the loss of their homes or their businesses. No! They “went every where preaching the word.” Acts 8:4. Think of it. There were no apostles among them; there were no ordained ministers. These were the lay members of the church who had been banished from their homes. These members became real missionaries, for wherever they went they told the glad tidings. Their word was certainly not without results, for a little later in Luke’s record we read of what was accomplished through their ministry. “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Acts 11:21. BSPC 187.7

Mrs. E. G. White comments on this experience as follows: BSPC 188.1

“When they were scattered by persecution, they went forth filled with missionary zeal. They realized the responsibility of their mission. They knew that they held in their hands the bread of life for a famishing world; and they were constrained by the love of Christ to break this bread to all who were in need. The Lord wrought through them. Wherever they went, the sick were healed, and the poor had the gospel preached unto them.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 106. BSPC 188.2