Three of the gospel accounts of Jesus in Scripture are known as the “Synoptic Gospels”. These three books would be Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are named this because they all recall with similar issues and stories surrounding Jesus of Nazareth. The word synoptic meaning, “taking the same point of view.”
If you’ve been a Christian for a while, you’ll be familiar with one of these stories; and that is one that we call ‘The Great Commission.’ No, these words aren’t in the original text, but it is what Bible scholars have simply called this telling of when Jesus instructs His apostles to go and preach the gospel to everyone, just before He’s about to ascend into Heaven.
In Matthew’s gospel account, it can be found in chapter 28, verses 18 through 20. In Mark’s account, it’s 16:15-16. Many people don’t know Luke’s account though as it’s not as common as the other two accounts. This is where I’d like to turn our attention for a moment.
Luke’s telling of ‘The Great Commission’ is found at the end of chapter 24. It’s a slightly different version of the story, which is probably why few link it with Matthew and Mark’s accounts. Here, Luke writes that Jesus had opened the apostles understanding of the Scriptures. In verses 47 and 48 we read, “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.” This is what His disciples were instructed to do and in Luke’s second book, we find just that.
You don’t have to look very far into the book of Acts to see the Holy Spirit driven apostles preaching that Jesus was the Messiah. In just the second chapter, we read that many of these Jews in Jerusalem were “cut to their heart” (v. 37) after hearing these words spoken. And so, they asked what they should do about it. The next two verses say that Peter responded with “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (vs 38-39).
Does that not go right along with what Jesus instructed them to do? The apostles were told to preach repentance and remission of sins and Peter preaches both of those. First, repentance, or a turning away from a life of sin; then remission of sins, or being washed and forgiven of those sins in the waters of baptism.
Again, Peter says the same thing in chapter three. In verse 19 he says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” First, repent and then remission of sins, or here he says to be converted. Once you are converted and are baptized, our sins are forgiven or “blotted out” in the blood of Christ. Paul says then we are raised to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). We are free from our sins as we no longer have to carry the burden of them weighing us down. We must turn to a life of Christ and not ourselves any longer.
Is this what you preach too?
This is the gospel. It’s what will help lead others to Jesus and will make us free from our sins. This is what makes Christianity so different from anything else out there.