Into All the World

TEXT: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20

After His resurrection, Jesus gave His eleven disciples what we now call the Great Commission. He told them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus lives, and all who believe on Him will be saved. The disciples were to teach the people God’s Word and to assure them that Jesus’ presence would always be with them. That commission is for Christians today too. The world has grown and every Christian has his or her part to do in spreading the Gospel. Great joy is experienced by all who love Jesus, when a new soul is added to the Church.

QUESTIONS

1. Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave His Great Commission. What was that Commission, and who were directed to have a part in the work?
2. Constant communion with God the Father was vitally important for the disciples, and the Holy Spirit was the important communicating Agent that they needed. He fills the same office for the Church on earth today. Name several of the ways in which overcoming Christians are dependent upon the Holy Spirit today.
3. Jesus told His disciples, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Jesus imparts a portion of that power to His followers to help them perform the work of His Kingdom on earth. How was this God-given power to be used? Were the disciples to rule with rigor the Church and people who came under their influence?
4. The disciples were to preach Christ’s message of salvation. That message was not just for a select few. Jesus had commanded them to preach to “every creature,” wherever they could be found. What were the results that followed the disciples as they went forth preaching and teaching as Jesus had commanded?
5. Although Jesus’ Great Commission was given to the eleven disciples who were with Him at the time, they could not speak the Gospel to every person in every part of the world throughout all the ages of time. However, the Gospel faithfully proclaimed made new disciples who in turn took up the commission. We know that Jesus promised, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” What did He mean by that?
6. The Apostle Paul is an example of one who became a “new disciple,” and obeyed Christ’s command to preach the Gospel. Name some of the situations that Paul faced during his ministry.
7. Implicit faith in the Son of God will bring about great and marvelous things. Jesus assured the disciples that mighty miracles would follow their preaching of the truth. List some Scriptures which give us assurance that Jesus Christ still manifests Himself in behalf of those who truly honor and work for Him today.
8. The Great Commission included water baptism. It is an outward act that is indicative of the inward work performed by the grace of God. It is performed in behalf of those who have given their lives to Christ. How is the Holy Trinity represented in the ordinance of water baptism?