Tuesday, January 12, 2016

(01/12/2016) The Great Commission Obeyed?

Examples from Scripture are shared illustrating how the  disciples of Jesus obeyed his command to take the Gospel to all the world.  Consider again the following verses and the discussion below: 

Matthew 28:  19-20, King James Version (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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Psalms 22:  26-28, KJV: 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied:  they shall praise the LORD that seek him:  your heart shall live for ever.  27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD:  and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.  28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s:  and he is the governor among the nations.

Romans 1:  15-17, KJV:  15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 4:  2, KJV:  2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:  but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Gabriella” (Level 2 with 375 points, a member since June 03, 2014) posted the following:


What are some examples throughout the book of Acts that specifically shows the apostles fulfilling the Great Commission?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them:  and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem:  and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:  and much people was added unto the Lord.  (Acts 11:  19-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015); Cornelius, and Prayer By Sinners? (03/09/2015); How Many Apostles? (04/30/2014); The Ruler Of the Earth? (05/01/2014); Saul of Tarsus (03/26/2014); The Nature of Scripture (03/27/2014); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013)


“Gabriella”, here are 4 passages from the holy writings that may be helpful:

(1.)  Acts 10:  34-48, King James Version (KJV):  34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:  (he is Lord of all:)  37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  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,  47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

(2.)  Acts 8:  5-8, KJV:  5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:  and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  8 And there was great joy in that city.

(3.)  Acts 8:  26-40, KJV:  26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  27 And he arose and went:  and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,  28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:   33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still:  and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more:  and he went on his way rejoicing.  40 But Philip was found at Azotus:  and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.)  Acts 16:  23-34, KJV:  23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:  and the prisoners heard them.  26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:  and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm:  for we are all here.  29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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