WALTER
LOESCHER
BY
1. All Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the NASB® New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update
(La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).
NECE
NECE
The Gospel goes where believers go and believers
go where God sends them. The Great Commission
is clear. Jesus sends believers to all the nations, not
just to some of them. Conscious of His command
and emboldened by His promises, Christ’s disciples
overcome formidable obstacles to bring the Gospel
to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
A daunting barrier to the proclamation of the Gospel
is the risk of danger or harm. Assessing risk before
hazarding a mission into the unknown is a wise
precaution. But
how does one
measure peril
against
the
worth of advanc-
ing the Gospel?
Is risking life
and limb vital to
missions?
Considering the call
“Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9b).
After hearing the appeal in a vision, Paul and his
missionary team concluded that “God had called
us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:10). Paul
went to Philippi in Macedonia. There he was dragged
into a market, stripped of his robes, beaten with
rods, and put into stocks. In subsequent visits to
Thessalonica, Paul’s friends had to spirit him out
of the city at night. Although there was a warmer
reception to the Gospel in Berea, his visit was cut
short by opponents.
Later while in Corinth, Paul faced danger again. The
Lord reassured Paul in another vision and offered
words of encouragement: “Do not be afraid any
longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man will attack you in
order to harm you, for I have many people in this
city” (Acts 18:9–10). The assurance of God’s presence
and His protection fortified Paul. He firmly believed
that Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth.
Many people in that city would ultimately belong
to Jesus. Paul “settled there a year and six months,
teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11).
While it would be nice to receive a vision explaining
where to go and what to do, the point of these
texts is not to wait for a vision. Rather, a missionary
should trust in God’s providential guidance and the
conclusions of godly coworkers. God’s call is His
providential leading.
THE
“ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. GO
THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF
ALL THE NATIONS…” 1
Matthew 28:18–19 says