But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. -- Acts 1:8 (KJV)
Jesus names four reaches in one sentence: Jerusalem, all Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth. The disciples are told to wait in the first. Their witness will not stop there. Samaria appears in the commission before Philip ever preaches there; the Lord has already included the people His followers will meet beyond the city.
Acts 8 records how that happened. Believers scattered by persecution throughout Judaea and Samaria continue preaching, and Philip declares Christ in Samaria. Stephen has been killed, and Saul is putting believers in prison. Those who flee are enduring real loss. Even so, they speak about Jesus in the places where they arrive.
People Who Need Teaching
Matthew 28:19–20 tells us what reaching people involves. Jesus includes baptism and instruction in everything He commanded when He sends His followers to teach all nations. An introduction to the gospel begins work that requires patience afterward.
Someone learning to follow Jesus will have questions that cannot be answered in a greeting. They need to understand repentance, baptism, and life in the Spirit. They need help learning His commands and putting them into practice. The apostles' preaching in Acts 2:38 names repentance, baptism in Jesus Christ's name for remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We should bring that same message to those we teach.
“All nations” leaves no permission to restrict that care to people who share our customs. Acts 1 names several places together; it does not require every individual to finish reaching an entire neighborhood before serving elsewhere. We can attend to people nearby while helping the church's witness reach people we may never meet.
Consider someone whose language, background, or habits make conversation less comfortable for you. What would help you listen long enough to understand their questions about Jesus?
You might begin by arranging time to read a passage together. Let them ask the question they actually have. Explain what you can, study what you cannot, and agree to meet again. There is room in Christ's commission for the person sitting beside you, still waiting for an answer.
