Two Commissions, One Work

People often define their lives by a mission. Some devote themselves to social causes, others to political movements, scientific discovery, business success or athletic achievement. These pursuits provide direction and meaning, yet they all share a common limitation: They originate with human beings.

For Christians, our mission in life is not self‑chosen. It is revealed and assigned by the God who directs His Work.

Throughout Scripture, God has always determined the purpose of those He calls. The prophets of the Old Testament were not volunteers pursuing personal ambition. Gideon was commissioned to deliver Israel with a deliberately reduced force so that God alone would receive the glory. Jonah was sent to Nineveh with a message he did not want to deliver. Ezekiel was commanded to perform symbolic actions that illustrated God’s warning to His people. In every case, God defined the task, the scope and the outcome.

The same goes for the Church today. Jesus Christ entrusted it with two responsibilities that continue today.

The first directs the Church outward: Proclaiming the gospel of the coming Kingdom to all nations.

The second works inward: Feeding the flock that God is calling in this age.

These two commissions operate together as one unified Work. They are inseparable and ongoing. Although the word “commission” does not appear in Scripture, this term accurately describes the two tasks Christ gave His Church. Both have endured from the first century to the 21st century.

Our God-given purpose is powerful in its simplicity. The Church does one Work, driven by two commissions. Understanding both, and supporting both, is fundamental to true Christianity.

First Commission: Preaching the Gospel

Jesus told the disciples that “this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14). The gospel He preached, and said would continue to be preached, is the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God.

This is a literal, soon-coming government led by God. Daniel 2:44 says, “the God of heaven [shall] set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people…it shall stand forever.”

The proclamation of this Kingdom is not an effort to convert the world en masse at this time. It is a witness, a declaration of God’s coming government.

In Acts 1, Christ reinforced this responsibility, telling His apostles, “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses…unto the uttermost part of the earth” (vs. 8). This commission extends as far as God opens doors for it to go.

Throughout Scripture, this same pattern appears. Jesus Christ directs the message, opens the doors, and determines how far the witness travels. The Church proclaims this message as Christ guides it.

God also determines who responds to the message. Jesus stated plainly, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him” (John 6:44).

This stands in direct contrast to the popular worldly concept of proselytizing, in which churchgoers are taught that it is their personal duty to “witness” Jesus to family, neighbors and friends. Nowhere in the Bible are individual members instructed to do so. What Scripture does teach is that the Church, functioning collectively, “decently and in order” (I Cor. 14:40), is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. This Work is carried out under the apostolic authority Christ established and is supported by the membership.

Only one organization on Earth is authorized to preach that message: God’s Church.

As we draw closer to the Kingdom’s arrival, God has given us the tools and technology to proclaim the gospel unlike any other Church era. Yet most who hear it will not act on it immediately. This is by design. God uses this proclamation both to call people to participate in His Work this side of the Kingdom and to prepare people who will be worked with after it arrives.

We have already reached millions all over the world. Yet we are only warming up. As large as our Work already is, it remains a small beginning compared to the scale it will reach when the Kingdom arrives. That is when the greatest phase of the Work will begin.

Jesus stated, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

The internet has opened doors to regions once considered inaccessible. Throughout history, the Church has used whatever tools were most effective to reach the widest audience possible. The same is true today. God is directing His Work so that the gospel reaches exactly as far as He intends in this age.

To learn more about the First Commission, read our booklet Which Is the True Gospel?

Second Commission: Feeding the Flock

Alongside the outward proclamation of the gospel, Christ gave His Church a second vital responsibility that works inward.

After His Resurrection, Jesus charged Peter to “Feed My lambs” and twice commanded him to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17). This instruction was not just for Peter. It established an enduring responsibility within God’s Church, primarily through the ministry, to spiritually feed, care for and oversee those God calls.

Every member today receives the benefit of this commission. Through teaching, correction, encouragement and oversight, Christ nourishes His flock so that each individual can grow in spiritual maturity. The Pillar of the Truth magazine is a vital part of doing that, as well as the sermons, Bible studies and other tools received from our World Headquarters.

Jesus further defined this commission in Matthew 28. After baptism, disciples are to be taught “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (vs. 20). This responsibility cannot be fulfilled by human effort alone. Recognizing this, Christ assured His servants, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

The apostle Paul explained how Christ carries out this commission through the ministry: “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). The ultimate objective is to prepare God’s people for salvation.

Paul added that this commission continues “till we all come in the unity of the faith” (vs. 13). Such unity requires a ministry working under Christ’s authority.

Feeding the flock also includes the training of our youth. They are part of the flock too. Read I Corinthians 7:14, which describes the children of members as “holy.” Jesus also emphasized their importance when He said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s Kingdom” (Matt. 19:14, Contemporary English Version).

The Restored Church of God supports this aspect of the Work through our comprehensive Children’s Bible Lessons, The Story of the Bible series, Ambassador Youth magazine, and our two-week Ambassador Youth Camp held every summer. These are all designed to help our children learn God’s Way.

The Second Commission exists to ensure doctrinal clarity, spiritual stability and growth among God’s people of all ages.

How They Work Together

These two commissions do not compete. They complement one another and function together as a single unified Work.

God’s truth awakens interest and understanding, and then the care of the ministry helps the individual grow. One commission brings people into the Church. The other builds them up once they are here. Together, they form one continuous cycle directed by God.

The pattern is clearly illustrated in Acts 2. After Peter preached a powerful message, “they that gladly received his word were baptized” (vs. 41). The newly baptized members then “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (vs. 42).

This same pattern is at work whenever the Father calls someone today. The fruit of the First Commission is that the new member goes on to benefit from the Second Commission once they are part of God’s Church.

The First Commission—preaching the gospel—leads to repentance and baptism. The Second Commission—feeding the flock—ensures those baptized remain grounded, instructed and spiritually nourished.

The chapter concludes with God adding “to the church daily such as should be saved” (vs. 47). He is still doing that today.

Your Part

Christ has designed the Work so that every member can participate meaningfully. It is a privilege to share in God’s mission. Regardless of your location, circumstances or role, there is always something you can do to help.

This privilege also brings responsibility. Paul wrote, “necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Cor. 9:16). While Paul was an apostle, that same sense of responsibility extends to the entire Church. Every member supports the preaching of the gospel through their godly conduct and all that they do to support the Work.

Hebrews 13:17 explains that the ministry watches for the flock and bears direct responsibility before God. Yet every time you pray for the ministry, you get directly involved in the advancement of the Second Commission.

These distinct roles—ministerial leadership and member support—function together.

Jesus opens the doors for His Work to continue, regardless of opposition (Rev. 3:7-8). Yet He accomplishes that Work through human beings and physical resources. God chooses to work through flesh.

Every member is the product of these two commissions. Without them, none of us would be where we are today. God is calling only a few now—a “little flock” (Luke 12:32)—because He is preparing a small batch of firstfruits to rule in the coming Kingdom.

Why did God call you now? To support His Work. We were not brought into the Church to simply “get salvation.” Salvation and eternal life are free and undeserved gifts from God. While no amount of participation in the Work can earn salvation, no one can be prepared to receive that gift without faithfully supporting God’s Work—because His Work is about serving and helping people.

If a person withdraws from supporting the Work, it reveals—at best—a misunderstanding of what God is doing and of how deeply He cares for people. The Work exists for the benefit of others, and our support of it reflects alignment with God’s priorities.

Consider it from God’s perspective: One can hardly claim to love others while neglecting the very Work God is using to help people. And if a person does not love others, they cannot be preparing for the Kingdom of God—where helping and serving will define life for eternity!

Our commitment to God’s Work reveals how seriously we value what God values. This understanding should shape our daily lives.

Christ also said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). Supporting the Work financially, through tithes, offerings and fundraising efforts, reveals our priorities.

Members also support the commissions through prayer—specifically praying for “more laborers” (Matt. 9:37-38), for open doors, for those being called, and for unity and faithfulness within the Church.

To learn more about how you can support the Work, read our Pillar article “The Work of God Today – Knowing Your Vital Role.”

Our Mission Continues

While the world chases its own aims and self‑defined purposes, Jesus Christ has already defined ours. You have seen that the First Commission drives the Church outward—proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations. The Second Commission works inward—feeding, teaching and perfecting God’s people.

Jesus declared, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). That same unwavering focus must define our lives today.

Each member reinforces that Work—supporting the gospel going out, and the flock being built up. As Psalm 68:11 states, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” We are all a part of that “company.”

Together, the two commissions form one unified, active Work. As Jesus Christ stated: “My Father works hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).

Just as they work—so must we!