Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
1:8 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.
Jesus gave commandment to the apostles not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the promised comforter, the Holy Ghost. Jesus promised that after his ascension, they would receive the Holy Ghost (John 14:26).
The Holy Ghost would give the apostles power to fulfill their "commission". The so called "great commission" actually is not just one commandment, but rather, is comprised of several commandments.
The first commandment given to his disciples is found in Luke 9:2. Jesus sent them to preach the kingdom of God which is the Davidic kingdom on earth.
Luke 9:2 KJV] 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
The second commandment can be found in Matthew 10:5-8, wherein, they were commanded to go only to the lost sheep of Israel.
Matthew 10:5-8 KJV] 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
The third commandment can be found in Luke 24:46-49, and corresponds to Acts 1:8, the third commandment, in which, they were commanded to preach his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem, but to wait until they received power from the Holy Ghost.
Luke 24:46-49 KJV] 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8 KJV] 8 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.
These two commandments may also be linked to Mark 16:15-17 below. All of these commandments may have been fulfilled at Pentecost. At Pentecost the disciples started to preach at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47 Acts 1:8); those that believed were baptized (Mark 16:16); they were speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4).
The fourth commandment is found in John 20:21-23, in which, the disciples were given the authority to remit and retain sins. I think this will be carried out in the kingdom on earth (Matthew 16:19).
John 20:21-23 KJV] 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
The fifth commandment is Mark 16:15-18.
Mark 16:15-18 KJV] 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
[Mark 16:20 KJV] 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Peter and the twelve began to go forth in obedience to this commission. They saw Gentiles believe their preaching in Acts 10.
[Act 10:43-46 KJV] 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Jesus said in Mark 16:17 that the sign of speaking in tongues would follow those who believed in his name and was evidenced by the Gentiles speaking in tongues.
Jesus said in Mark 16:18 that they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This was confirmed when Peter healed the lame man below.
[Act 3:7 KJV] 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
This phase was interrupted by the decision in Galatians 2:7-9 where James, Peter and John recognized the grace given Paul and determined to go just to the Jews. This phase will resume in the tribulation. In the tribulation the other provisions of Mark 16:18 will be protective.
The last commandment is Matthew 28:19-20, this final phase will be fulfilled during the thousand year reign of Christ on earth, the kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-5).
Matthew
28:19-20 KJV] 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: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus spoke of things concerning the kingdom of God. The kingdom Jesus spoke of is the prophetic earthly kingdom conveyed in the prophets. Israel was promised to be a kingdom on earth, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6 Daniel 2:44 Daniel 7:18 Revelation 5:10).
The apostles questioned Jesus in regard to the kingdom of God. Their questions centered on the program of Israel in regard to the kingdom. They wanted to Know when Jesus would restore the prophetic kingdom to Israel.
Acts 1:6 KJV] 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Jesus did not correct them in regard to the coming kingdom, but rather said, that the time would not be disclosed at present.
Jesus gave the commission to the apostles to go out and preach faith in His name; to believe on Him as the Christ, the Son of God; to the uttermost parts of the earth.
1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
1:8 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.
Jesus gave commandment to the apostles not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the promised comforter, the Holy Ghost. Jesus promised that after his ascension, they would receive the Holy Ghost (John 14:26).
The Holy Ghost would give the apostles power to fulfill their "commission". The so called "great commission" actually is not just one commandment, but rather, is comprised of several commandments.
The first commandment given to his disciples is found in Luke 9:2. Jesus sent them to preach the kingdom of God which is the Davidic kingdom on earth.
Luke 9:2 KJV] 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
The second commandment can be found in Matthew 10:5-8, wherein, they were commanded to go only to the lost sheep of Israel.
Matthew 10:5-8 KJV] 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
The third commandment can be found in Luke 24:46-49, and corresponds to Acts 1:8, the third commandment, in which, they were commanded to preach his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem, but to wait until they received power from the Holy Ghost.
Luke 24:46-49 KJV] 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8 KJV] 8 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.
These two commandments may also be linked to Mark 16:15-17 below. All of these commandments may have been fulfilled at Pentecost. At Pentecost the disciples started to preach at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47 Acts 1:8); those that believed were baptized (Mark 16:16); they were speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4).
The fourth commandment is found in John 20:21-23, in which, the disciples were given the authority to remit and retain sins. I think this will be carried out in the kingdom on earth (Matthew 16:19).
John 20:21-23 KJV] 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
The fifth commandment is Mark 16:15-18.
Mark 16:15-18 KJV] 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
[Mark 16:20 KJV] 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Peter and the twelve began to go forth in obedience to this commission. They saw Gentiles believe their preaching in Acts 10.
[Act 10:43-46 KJV] 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Jesus said in Mark 16:17 that the sign of speaking in tongues would follow those who believed in his name and was evidenced by the Gentiles speaking in tongues.
Jesus said in Mark 16:18 that they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This was confirmed when Peter healed the lame man below.
[Act 3:7 KJV] 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
This phase was interrupted by the decision in Galatians 2:7-9 where James, Peter and John recognized the grace given Paul and determined to go just to the Jews. This phase will resume in the tribulation. In the tribulation the other provisions of Mark 16:18 will be protective.
The last commandment is Matthew 28:19-20, this final phase will be fulfilled during the thousand year reign of Christ on earth, the kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-5).
Matthew
28:19-20 KJV] 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: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus spoke of things concerning the kingdom of God. The kingdom Jesus spoke of is the prophetic earthly kingdom conveyed in the prophets. Israel was promised to be a kingdom on earth, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6 Daniel 2:44 Daniel 7:18 Revelation 5:10).
The apostles questioned Jesus in regard to the kingdom of God. Their questions centered on the program of Israel in regard to the kingdom. They wanted to Know when Jesus would restore the prophetic kingdom to Israel.
Acts 1:6 KJV] 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Jesus did not correct them in regard to the coming kingdom, but rather said, that the time would not be disclosed at present.
Jesus gave the commission to the apostles to go out and preach faith in His name; to believe on Him as the Christ, the Son of God; to the uttermost parts of the earth.
