Is There a Worldwide Work to Be Done Today?

A look at the reasons some feel we don't need to do a worldwide work can actually help us strengthen our zeal to accomplish that work.

There are people, believing the same core doctrinal beliefs we do, who believe that there is no worldwide work to be done today. They believe that "the gospel has been preached," that "we just preach the gospel by our examples now" or "all we have to do is a local work." Is there any truth to these statements?

Let's look at three common reasons used by some who don't believe an organized effort to proclaim the gospel to the world is necessary and then look deeper into what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says on this subject.

Reason 1: "There's No Worldwide Work to Be Done Today"

Some people feel we only need to be concerned with doing a local work. Those who believe this typically are in independent groups and see no need to be part of anything bigger than themselves. After seeing abuses in the past, many are wary of the thought of authority and organization.

Is just a local work what Christ would have wanted?

One of the most well-known statements of Christ is found in Matthew 28:18-19 [18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

See All...: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (emphasis added throughout).

In Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
See All..., Christ dogmatically states, "And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come" (Good News BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.). We must not let our familiarity with these verses diminish their power. They clearly say that the work of preaching the gospel is to be done on a global scale and must continue to be done until Christ returns.

Christ's direct command to us, as His people, is to make sure His truth gets to all people in the world, according to His will.

Christians are people who live "by every word of God" (Luke 4:4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
See All...). The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. (God's inspired Word) commands the people of God to make the "preaching of the gospel" their number one commission. Remember, Christians will not be judged by merely having the truth—they will be judged on what they did with it (Matthew 24:46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
See All...). Paul believed he would spiritually be in trouble if he neglected preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
See All...).

If we all just did local works in our local autonomous congregations, we would be limiting our ability to preach the gospel to the whole world. If we only preached locally, how would the message get to areas that don't currently have local congregations? It takes a united effort by God's people to proclaim the gospel throughout the world, wherever God opens the door. This is why we need organization and leadership.

Of course, local congregations should do all they can as well. The waiting room, newsstand and brochure programs are excellent ways to strengthen the work of God in your local area.

Reason 2: "Herbert Armstrong Finished the Work"

Some may read this and nod their heads in agreement but say, "Herbert Armstrong was God's apostle, and at his death the work was finished. Didn't Mr. Armstrong believe he would finish the work?"

As a matter of fact, as some of his last coworker letters show, Mr. Armstrong himself did believe the work was to continue after his death. (He died in 1986, after more than 50 years of serving the Church of God.) But beyond that, as we have already seen, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says Christ would be with the work until "the end of the age." ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). assures us that the gospel will go out to the entire earth, "and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
See All...). Mr. Armstrong has been dead for 17 years. The "end of the age" has not occurred yet. Therefore, Mr. Armstrong did not finish the work of preaching the gospel to the world. Just as Jesus, "finished the work" (John 17:4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
See All...) of His physical life at His death and ascension, Mr. Armstrong finished his part in the work at his death. If the death of Jesus Christ didn't finish the work, how could the death of Herbert Armstrong finish the work?

At his death, Mr. Armstrong's part in the continuous line of God's work on earth was complete. But the line was picked up by those still alive and continues to this very day and will continue on until Christ returns.

Would the great God of love and fairness leave the people after Mr. Armstrong with no opportunity to be converted and know God's truth? Millions of people have been born since his death (and millions who lived during his time never heard the true gospel message)—these precious people prove that the work of God is to be done today! ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). shows that the work will be completed by the two witnesses (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:3-12 [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
[4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
[5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
[6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
[7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
[9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
[11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
[12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

See All...), but in no way indicates that it is not to be done between the death of Herbert Armstrong and the advent of the two witnesses.

Reason 3: "We Preach the GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . by Our Examples"

Another common reason for neglecting to preach the gospel around the world is the idea that our personal examples completely fulfill the work. Is this God's definition of preaching the gospel?

What does the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. teach regarding how the gospel is to be preached? The book of Acts is important because it serves as our model for how the Church should act.

The second chapter of Acts shows us that on the Day of Pentecost a minister, one of God's leading apostles, literally stood up and proclaimed the gospel to the people in Jerusalem at that time. As a result of Peter's bold proclamation, 3,000 people were converted to God's way of life (verse 41).

In Acts 3, we read the story of Peter and John going to the temple and healing a lame man (verse 7). As a result of this miracle, attention was drawn to Peter and John and people gathered around them (verse 11). A door was opened for Peter to open his mouth and preach the gospel to the people there (verse 12).

In Acts 5, we read of an angel breaking the apostles out of prison and instructing them to, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life" (verse 20).

In Acts 6, we read of the apostles appointing deacons to handle local congregation business, so that the apostles could focus their time on "the ministry of the word" (verse 4)—the preaching of the gospel!

In Acts 9, we read of the conversion of the apostle Paul and see, "Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God" (verse 20).

In Acts 14, we read of Paul and Barnabas visiting various cities such as Derbe where they "preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples" (verse 20-21). In verse 22 we read of the apostles returning to cities to strengthen the brethren and ordain leaders. This shows us that the ministry is also responsible for caring for and overseeing the Church. Acts 16:4-5 [4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
[5] And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

See All... shows that decisions made by the council meeting at the headquarters church of Jerusalem were binding on all the congregations—showing that the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Church was not composed of local autonomous congregations.

These scriptures, and many others, show that the work is fulfilled primarily by God's ministers preaching it to the general public.

That should in no way minimize the importance of our personal example, which does have a role in the work of the Church. We are commanded to let our "light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
See All...).

Today, the United Church of God's main tool to get the gospel out to the world is via the printed word. Since God decided to record His words of truth via the printed word, it is fitting that we strive to powerfully use the printed word to preach the gospel, while seeking to also make effective use of radio, television, the Internet and other new means of communication that are developed.

The Work Today

Our work is bearing fruit. People are being converted as God sees fit to call them.

The Good News reaches nearly every nation on earth with the good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of God's coming Kingdom. Thousands of booklets are printed each year to explain God's truth in more depth. We also use radio, television and the Internet to preach the truth. As technology advances, God may provide more methods for this gospel to go out to the world. But if all else fails, God can always use stones (Luke 19:40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
See All...)!

Just because we don't see thousands being converted today, it does not mean that we should abandon the work and declare it "over." God's people are characterized by having vision, and we continue to do the work and zealously pray that God will bless it and call whom He wills. We pray that God will help us all rekindle the fire of zealousness for the work and band together to fulfill this commission!

The greatest work of God still lies ahead for the multitudes of people who have not yet heard His message! UN