Great Commission
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kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all
things. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by
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the heavenly host. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His
disciples their commission, “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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.”
Matthew 28:19, 20
.
Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly stated
the nature of His kingdom. He recalled to their remembrance things
He had previously told them regarding it. He declared that it was not
His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom. He was not
appointed to reign as an earthly monarch on David’s throne. When
the disciples asked Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again
the kingdom to Israel?” He answered, “It is not for you to know the
times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.”
Acts 1:6, 7
. It was not necessary for them to see farther into the future
than the revelations He had made enabled them to see. Their work was
to proclaim the gospel message.
Christ’s visible presence was about to be withdrawn from the
disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs. The Holy
Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them for their work.
“Behold,” the Saviour said, “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.”
Luke 24:49
. “For John truly baptized with water;
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but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
“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 Judea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:5, 8
.
The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt
hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness.
He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that
the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made
warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is
the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples
would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong
against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the