We've studied in the previous lessons that Christ appeared to various believers (and non-believers). (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Appears to His Caregivers and Two Disciples; THE GOSPEL: Jesus Appears to the Eleven Disciples and All of Us; THE GOSPEL: Jesus Appears, Restores and Teaches) Jesus appeared over a period of forty days. Forty is a very significant number throughout scripture: Noah and his family and the animals were on the ark for forty days, while it rained (Genesis 7); the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years, after traveling forty days to the promised land but refusing to go in (Numbers 14); etc. (read "The Significance of the Number 40") Jesus fasted and was tempted by the devil for forty days (Luke 4); now, He's preparing to go back to the Father, forty days after His resurrection.
Also, before His crucifixion, He informed the disciples, "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Matthew 26:32; Mark 14:28) Now, they were going to meet Him there, just as He had said. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 NIV; press highlighted phrases for scripture links)
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18 NIV; press highlighted phrases for scripture links)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49; press highlighted phrases for scripture links)
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:4-9 NIV)
Jesus gave so much information and prophesy in these previous four paragraphs, and all of this is for us also, ...those who have not seen [Christ] and yet have believed. (John 20:29) We are commanded by Christ to:
- go and make disciples of all nations, preach the gospel to all creation
- baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
- teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded us
- be Christ witnesses to the ends of the earth
But the only way we will be able to do any of these things is FIRST, wait for the gift God the Father promised, be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned! Once we are saved, believing through faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will receive the Holy Spirit and power when the Holy Spirit comes on us. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (I John 3:24) Jesus was very clear to all of us who are Christians, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51 NIV) After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19 NIV) They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:1-11)
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (Luke 24:52-53 NIV) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:20 NIV) THE END OF THE GOSPEL!
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