Christ's Great Commission to Israel

“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke -

Part 26:Jesus Christ's Commission to His 11 Apostles:

For those who are new to Faith Studies, the intent or goal since I began publishing them in January 2004 has been to understand faith, as revealed in God's Word. It was noted then that the English word faith is only found twice in the King James version of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 32:2020 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

& Habakkuk 2:44 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

. However, the Habakkuk passage is quoted 3 times in the New Testament (Romans 1:1717 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

; Galatians 3:1111 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

; Hebrews 10:3838 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

) where the Greek word “pistis,” translated faith, is used. The methodology used to study faith in the Old Testament was generally to consider the lives of the men and women of faith referenced in Hebrews 11. In the New Testament, we have been systematically examining the context of passages where the word faith and words related to it, i.e., the verb “believe,” the adjective “faithful,” and others such as “of little faith,” “faithless or unbelieving,” “believe not” and “unbelief,” are used.

All past studies are available on my web site.

Of late, we've been studying every occasion the word believe, translated from the Greek word Pisteuo, appears in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Today we come to the last two of the 25 occasions where these 3 Gospel writers mention that Jesus uttered the word believe: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not (believeth not is a translation of another Greek word) shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15 - 2015 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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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Some refer to this passage as “The Great Commission.” Two important questions need to be answered in order to understand it: 1) to whom was Jesus addressing and 2) what period of time were these instructions in effect? The first question is answered in the context; He was talking to His 11 Apostles, Mark 16:14 & 1514 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

. The second issue has caused a lot of confusion among believers over the years. The phraseology of Jesus' statement here at the end of Mark's Gospel is unique so the first thing we need to do is compare it to the ending chapters of the other three Gospels.

We know that during the 40 days between His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven Jesus appeared to over 500 people, 1 Corinthians 15:5 & 65 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

. And during that time we find He commissioned, or gave instructions to His apostles/disciples on occasions other than the occasion under consideration in Mark 16:15 - 20. For instance, while in Jerusalem shortly after His resurrection He appeared to a group of them: “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” John 20:22 - 2422 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.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

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The 4 Gospel writers recorded what they observed based on their individual perspectives, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus, each differs in some way from the others. However they do not contradict; on the contrary they complement each other. In his 16th chapter, Mark briefly recaps only a few of the events that occurred during that 40-day period and ends with Jesus' instructions to His Apostles before ascending into heaven, Mark 16:15 - 20. Matthew and Luke also end their Gospels with a recap of what happened during that 40-day period, describing some incidents while leaving out some that are mentioned by the others. The last chapter of John recounts an incident that occurred in Galilee during those 40 days that is not mentioned in the other three Gospels. However, it is apparent that Luke documented the same incident, Luke 24:46 - 4846 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.

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.

, that is recorded in Mark 16:15 - 20 because Luke also reports that Jesus ascended into heaven right after instructing His disciples. However, Luke records statements made by Jesus during that incident that are not mentioned by Mark and vice versa.

Luke then starts off the book of Acts describing the same incident that both he and Mark ended their respective Gospels. However in Acts, Luke recounts some different aspects of this incident: “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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 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. 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. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:4 - 94 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.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

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.

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.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

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.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

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.

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.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

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Therefore, we know all 3 accounts, Mark 16:15 - 20; Luke 24:46 - 48 and Acts 1:4 - 9, report the same incident in time because each ends with Christ ascending into heaven. And by combining these three passages we have a composite of Jesus' last instructions to His followers on earth; those that believed and were baptized would be saved; those that didn't would be damned; they would have the power and authority to cast out devils; be able to speak and be understood in other languages; be immune to the poison of serpents or otherwise; and they would have power to heal people simply by laying hands on them. These gifts were literal and were manifested by the Apostles, primarily among the Jewish believers gathered in Jerusalem, as documented in the book of Acts. To begin with, speaking in tongues had nothing to do with talking in some kind of gibberish understood by no one. The word plainly states that there were Jews in Jerusalem from every nation on earth who understood and spoke different languages on the day of Pentecost. But everyone was able to understand what was being said, thus negating the effects of what had happened at the Tower of Babel, Acts 2:1 - 111 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

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Proceeding through the book of Acts we find all the signs and miracles Jesus promised being carried out by His Apostles. Demons were cast out, people were healed and raised from the dead and Apostles were miraculously set free from prison. The Gospel they believed and preached was that Jesus Christ was indeed their promised Messiah and He would establish His Kingdom through His chosen people Israel here on earth. But they met stiff opposition from the Jewish leaders and as they were killed and ultimately driven out of their promised land, Israel's Kingdom hopes faded away. But that's not to say that the Gospel they believed and preached won't be fulfilled literally. All this will some day come to fruition; Israel's Kingdom will be established here on earth with Christ as its head. The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 9, 10 & 11 the fact that Israel's Kingdom hopes have been set aside for a period of yet to be determined time, but it will be fulfilled.

In fact, the key to understanding why the miraculous sign gifts Christ gave His Apostles just before He ascended into heaven are not being manifested literally today comes from the Apostle Paul. They were set aside along with Israel's imminent Kingdom hopes. Those instructions God gave His Apostles before ascending into heaven simply were not His last instructions to mankind.

He subsequently appeared to Saul of Tarsus and transformed him into the Apostle Paul, Acts 9:1 - 251 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

; 22:1 - 21; 26:12 - 20. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:8 - 108 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

. See also 2 Corinthians 12:1 - 71 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

; Romans 16:25 & 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

, etc., for an understanding of the unique Gospel Paul received from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, which is directed to us today. Paul himself manifested the miraculous signs of an Apostle. He healed the sick, raised a dead man to life, was miraculously released from prison, was even bitten by a deadly snake but shook it off with no ill affects. However, he not only wrote that the literal evidence of these signs gifts would end, 1 Corinthians 13:8 - 138 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

, but he demonstrated it in his own experience, 2 Corinthians 12:7 - 127 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

, and in the lives of other believers, 1 Timothy 5:2323 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

; Philippians 2:26 & 2726 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

; 2 Timothy 4:2020 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

. But more on this when we get to our study of faith in the Apostle Paul's letters. For now, we end with:

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” 1 Corinthians 13:1313 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

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