Have You Obeyed

The Great Commission
Which Was
A Command Of God?

Matt. 28:18-20

Vs. 18 Jesus had all power in Heaven and Earth. If there were two other persons there, they had no power.
Vs. 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."
Vs. 20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have Commanded you."

Observe this please He did not say to baptize them using the words " Father, Son and Holy Ghost." We know that the name of the Son is " Jesus", and that He came in His Father's name. (St. John 5:43).

If the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not three persons, who then are they?

Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah answers this very clearly. The Son (Jesus) shall be called " Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace."

Counselor -- Comforter

St. John 14:26 -- In the New International Version and the Amplified Version, plus others, the word "Counselor" is used for "Comforter".  All know that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of the departed Christ. (St. John 14:16-18)

The Mighty God

Isaiah called Him the Mighty God.  Rev. 1:8, Jesus calls Himself the Almighty God.  In Rev. 4:8 and Rev. 11:17, they worship Him and called Him the Lord God Almighty.

The Everlasting Father

While on the earth, Jesus had a dual nature.  He was both man and God.  In the Spirit, He was the Creator of all things.  (St John 1:3 and Col. 1:16-17)

Isaiah 44:24 records that God created all things alone and by Himself.  These Scriptures prove that Jesus was both God of the Old and New Testament alike.  The name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost must be the Lord Jesus.

The Mystery

1 Tim. 3:16 -- Paul tells us about the mystery of God.  He told us that God was made flesh and dwelt among us.  Read St. John 1:14.  It's like a great jigsaw puzzle.  We must put all scriptures together to get a clear and perfect picture of God.

St. John 16:25, 26 -- "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs; but the time cometh when I shall shew you plainly of the Father."

Vs. 26 -- "At that day ye shall ask in my name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you."  Being now glorified with the Father, His dual nature was over.

Mark's Record

Mark 16:15-17 -- Jesus commanded His apostles to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." vs. 16 -- "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  He that believeth not shall be damned."  Vs. 17 -- "In my name, they shall cast out devils and speak with new tongues."  Tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost.

Many great religious leaders teach that you are saved the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus and accept Him as your Savior.  How contrary this is to the great commission and commandments of God.

Luke's Version

Luke 24:45 -- Jesus opened up their understanding that they might understand the scripture.

Vs. 47 -- "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem." (Not ending there).

Vs. 49 -- "I will send the promise of my Father upon you.  Tarry in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high."

Acts 1:8 -- They received this power when they were baptized with the Holy Ghost.

They Obeyed

Acts 1:4 -- They were commanded to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:13-15 -- All the apostles and close disciples, including Mary the mother of Jesus, obeyed His command.  Vs. 15 -- Altogether there were one hundred and twenty believers assembled there.

The Result

Acts 2:1-4 -- "On the day of Pentecost they were all in one accord and in one place."

Vs. 4 -- "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

There was a great multitude in Jerusalem at this time.  They were all amazed at what they had seen and heard.

The Commission

Acts 2:14-36 -- Peter, having the keys to the kingdom, preached a very convicting message to the multitude.

Vs. 37 -- "When they heard this they were pricked in their hearts.  They said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren what shall we do'?"

Vs. 38 -- Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Vs. 39 -- "This promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."  Friend, this includes us two thousand years later.  It's a wonderful experience!

Vs. 41 -- They that gladly received His word were baptized the same day.  There were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Door Opens to Gentiles

Acts 10: 1-48 -- In a vision, Cornelius, a very devout man, was visited by an angel who told him to send for Peter. He said that peter would tell him what he ought to do.  Please note Acts 11:14 -- "Words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."  In the meantime Peter also had a vision from the lord showing him that this great salvation was for the gentiles also. 

Peter went to the household of Cornelius and preached unto him concerning Jeus, Verses 44-46 -- "As Peter was preaching the Holy Ghost fell upon the gentiles for they heard them speak in other tongues and magnify God." 

Baptism Commanded

Vs. 47-48 -- "Can any man forbid water that these that have received the Holy Ghost as well as we should not be baptized?"  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (RV)

Question

If you have the Holy Ghost and have not been baptized in Jesus name, don't you think this command would be for you also?  Remember -- there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Born Again

St. John 3: 3-7 -- Jesus told Nicodemus he could not see or enter the kingdom of God unless he was born again.  Nicodemus asked the Lord, "How can a man be born when he is old?"

Vs. 5 -- Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Vs. 7 -- Jesus uttered a command, "Ye must be born again." 

Friend, the scriptural truth has been set before you.
It's in your hands now.
Don't turn your back on it.

(c) Lewis E. Manuwal all rights reserved

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