S. Jambrek: The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia in the Second Part of the Twentieth Century Stanko JAMBREK Bible Institute, Zagreb
[email protected] UDK: 266 Original scientific paper Received: August, 2008. Accepted: October, 2008. Abstract This study deals with the biblical basis of the Great Commission and its reception in the evangelical churches of Croatia, in a global and local context. It offers a concise review of the fulfillment of the Great Com- mission in certain areas of work in the evangelical churches, among oth- ers, in planting churches, in the gestation of new denominations and in mission effectuation. Foundational issues that appear in its actualiza- tion are perviewed in the paper, and answers are indicated concerning the relationship between evangelism and social activity, evangelization of nominal Christians and proselytism. Key words: church, gospel, evangelism, Christians, commission, pros- elytism Introduction The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to Christians to proclaim the gospel and make the nations his disciples. It is written in all four gospels (Matt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:46-49; Jn 20:21-22) and in the book of Acts (Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is an appointment to proclaim the gospel to every creature, a command toward a movement of evangelizing the world, a divine authorization to be Christ’s ambassadors to every nation (Peters, 1996:178). 153 KAIROS - Evangelical Journal of Theology / Vol. II. No. 2 (2008), pp. 153-179 In the evangelical churches of Croatia, 1 numerous sermons, conference pre- sentations, persuasive arguments and exhortations have been offered regarding the Great Commission from a biblical perspective.