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Scriptural References:
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
“…Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:22-23).
“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).
A. THE FORTY DAYS:
Jesus showed Himself to His disciples on various occasions during a period of forty days following His resurrection. During this period of time His great concern apparently was that His disciples should obey His command in taking the gospel throughout the whole world. This was not just a request but a definite command.
At the same time He was concerned that they would not attempt to preach the gospel until they had received the Holy Ghost. Along with the commission itself He commanded them to remain in Jerusalem until they be baptized with the Holy Ghost and be endued with power from on high (Acts 1:3-8). The last emphasis He placed on all His commands, was concerning the greatest and all-important qualification, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
B. THE COMMISSION CONTAINED FIVE COMMANDS:
There were five things contained in the commission which Jesus commanded His disciples. 1. He commanded them to GO – Mark 16:15. 2. He commanded them to PREACH – Mark 16:15. 3. He commanded them to TEACH ALL NATIONS – Matthew 28:19. 4. He commanded them to BAPTIZE IN THE NAME – Matthew 28:19. 5. He commanded them to OBSERVE ALL THINGS – Matthew 28:20.
C. JESUS SPOKE THE COMMISSION ON THREE OCCASIONS:
Our Lord spoke the Commission on at least three occasions to His disciples during the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension. It is recorded in all four Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles.
The three occasions on which Jesus gave the Commission were as follows: 1. While the disciples sat at meat in Jerusalem – Mark 16:14-18; – John 20:22-23. 2. In a mountain in Galilee – Matthew 28:18-20. 3. On the Mount of Olives just before His Ascension – Luke 24:45-51; – Acts 1:6-9.
When Jesus repeated this commission at least three times, and it was recorded in each of the Gospels, we can understand just how important Jesus considered the commission to be.
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