READ: Mark. 16:15-20: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. … Amen.
Jesus breaks through the unbelief of His disciples and their hardness of heart. They must now, as His apostles, proclaim everywhere that He had to suffer and die to be raised again. For the salvation of everyone who believes in Him. Those who believe the preached gospel and are baptized will be saved. But in this preaching, it must also be stated that those who do not believe will be condemned (v.16).
People will be faced with a choice. Either believe in the gospel of Christ for their salvation or reject it for their condemnation. Christ wants to put extra power into His Word. Believers will be able to show signs after their conversion, just as Jesus showed on earth: in His name, casting out evil spirits, speaking in tongues, picking up snakes without harm, drinking something deadly without injury, and healing the sick.
The purpose of these signs is not to bring others to faith! That is a so-called miracle faith, not genuine faith. Preaching, faith, and baptism take precedence, and the promised signs follow to confirm their faith. They indicate that Christ has broken the destructive power of Satan.
With this instruction, Christ’s work on earth is completed. He now continues His work from heaven, seated at the right hand of God. He took his place on the throne to continue His victory on earth with great power and majesty.
The apostles, His messengers, will carry out their mission: “they went everywhere to preach.” But they are not alone: “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” These signs are “launch boosters” that are no longer necessary after the apostolic age as we have a complete Bible.
Mark concludes with Amen: It is firm and certain!
How is the Lord involved in preaching now?
Sing: Hymn 45:3,4 (1984), 56:3,4 (2014)