Let us now observe how far this communion is extended—
had not an extraordinary spirit of discerning they had not been fit to be entrusted with such an authority. For in the strictest sense this is a special commission to the apostles themselves, and the first preachers of the Gospel, who could distinguish who were ''in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity" and who were not. By virtue of this power Peter struck Elymas blind. Yet it must be understood as a general charter to the Church and her ministers, not securing an infallibility of judgment to any man or company of men in the world; but encouraging the faithful stewards of the mysteries of God to stand to the Gospel they were sent to preach, for God Himself would stand to it. The apostles in preaching remission must begin at Jerusalem, though she had lately brought upon herself the guilt of Christ's blood, yet you may declare their sins remitted on Gospel terms. Peter did so (Acts ii. 38, iii. 9). Christ, being risen for our justification, sends His Gospel heralds to proclaim the jubilee begun, the act of indemnity now passed. And by this rule men shall be judged (John xii. 48; Rom. ii. 16; Jas. ii. 12). God will never alter this rule of judgment nor vary from it. Whom the Gospel acquits shall be acquitted, and whom it condemns shall be condemned. This puts a mighty honour on the ministry, and should put a mighty courage into ministers.
There are two ways by which the apostles and ministers of Jesus Christ remit and retain sin, and both have authority.
First by sound doctrine. They are commissioned to tell the world that salvation is to be had on Gospel terms and no other —and they shall find God will say Amen to it. So shall their doom be. And, secondly, by strict discipline, applying the general rule of the Gospel to particular persons. Whom you admit into communion with you, according to the rules of the Gospel, God will admit into communion with Himself; and whom you cast out of communion, as impenitent and obstinate in scandalous and infectious sins, shall be bound over to the righteous judgment of God.
6. THE AMBASSADOR'S FIELD OF OPERATIONS
Let us now observe how far this communion is extended— "to all nations"' (Matt. xxviii. 19). 'Go and disciple all nations." Not that they must go all together into every place; but, by consent, disperse themselves in such manner as might best diffuse the light of the Gospel. This plainly signifies that:
Preachers and Preaching
(a) The covenant of peculiarity made with the Fews should now be cancelled and disannulled. This word broke down a middle wall of partition which had so long excluded the Gentiles from a visible Church state. Whereas the apostles, when first sent out, were forbidden to go into the way of the Gentiles, now they are sent to all nations.
(6) Salvation by Christ should be offered to all, and none excluded that did not, by their own unbelief and impenitence, exclude themselves.
(c) Christianity should be twisted in with natural constitutions, that the kingdoms of the world should become Christ's kingdoms, and their kings the Church's nursing fathers.
Again, let us see what is the principal intention of this commission. 'Disciple all nations." 'Admit them disciples, do your utmost to make the nations Christian nations."' Not, "Go to the nations and denounce the judgments of God against them, as Jonah against Ninevah, and the Old Testament prophets." But, 'Go and disciple them." Christ the mediator is setting up a kingdom in the world—bring the nations to be subjects; Christ is setting up a school—bring the nations to be His scholars. Christ is raising an army for carrying on the war against the powers of darkness—enlist the nations of the earth under His banner. The work the apostles had to do was to set up the Christian religion in all places, and it was honourable work. The achievement of the mighty heroes of the world were as nothing to it. They conquered the nations for themselves and made them miserable; the Apostles conquered them for Christ and made them happy.
7. 'THE GOSPEL TO BE PREACHED
Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the great Gospel truth concerning His death and resurrection. These must be published to the children of men (Luke xxiv. 46). Go and tell the world: (a) That Christ suffered, as it was written of Him. Go preach Christ crucified. Be not ashamed of His cross and suffering. Tell them what He suffered, and why He suffered, and how all the Scriptures of the Old Testament were fulfilled in His sufferings.
(b) That Christ rose again from the dead on the third day. By this not only was all the offence of the cross rolled away, but He was declared to be the Son of God with power, and in this also the Scriptures were fulfilled (see 1 Cor. xv. 3, 4). Go tell the world how often you saw Him after He rose from the dead, and how intimately you conversed with Him. Go and tell them, then, that He that was dead is alive, and lives for evermore, and has the keys of death and the grave.
(i) The great Gospel duty of repentance must be pressed upon the children of men. Go tell people that the God that made them, and the Lord that bought them, expect and require that, immediately upon this notice given, they turn from the worship of the gods they have made to the worship of the God that made them.
(ii) The great Gospel privilege of the remission of sins must be proposed to all, and assured to all that repent and believe the Gospel. Go tell a guilty world, that stands convicted and condemned at God's bar, that there is an act of indemnity passed by the royal assent, which all that repent and believe shall have the benefit of, and not only be pardoned, but preferred by. Tell them there is hope concerning them.
SERMON OUTLINE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST
THEIR CALL TO SERVICE (Matt. x) (a) Christ Called Them to Him (6) Christ Gave Them Power (c) Christ Sent Them Forth
THEIR 'TERMS OF COMMISSION (John xx) (a) The Task Assigned to Them (5) The Power Bestowed Upon Them (c) The Message Entrusted to Them
THEIR SPHERE OF OPERATION (Matt. xxviii) (a) The Gospel is not Confined to the Jews (6) The Gospel Embraces all Nations (c) The Gospel is of Universal Efficacy
III.