Sunday School Lesson
April 28
Lesson 9 (KJV)
Called to Make Disciples
Devotional Reading: Colossians 3:12–17
Background Scripture: Matthew 28:16–20; Acts 1:6–8
Matthew 28:16–20
- Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
- And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 1:6–8
- 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.
Key Verses
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.—Matthew 28:19, 20
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
- Give the content of Jesus’ commissions.
- Describe challenges to keeping the Great Commission as the church’s top priority.
- Create a series of steps to improve his or her church’s efforts at fulfilling the Great Commission.
HOW TO SAY IT
ascension
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uh-sen(t)-shun.
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Corinthians
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Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
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Cornelius
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Cor-neel-yus.
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Emmanuel
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Ee-man-you-el.
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Galatians
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Guh-lay-shunz.
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Galilee
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Gal-uh-lee.
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Gentile
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Jen-tile.
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Judaea
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Joo-dee-uh.
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Pentecost
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Pent-ih-kost.
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Philippians
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Fih-lip-ee-unz.
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Pilate
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Pie-lut.
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Samaria
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Suh-mare-ee-uh.
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synecdoche
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suh-neck-duh-kee.
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Introduction
- “This Changes Everything”
The slogan “This changes everything” has been used at length in advertising. The claim has been attached to a flavoring for water, an allergy relief medication, a truck, and a brand of mayonnaise. Even a book bears that slogan as a title!
Obviously, the overuse of any slogan can rob it of its original appeal. But when we consider the impact of Jesus’ resurrection, we can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that “this changes everything.” Today’s lesson tells us why.
- Lesson Context: Matthew
Today’s lesson text presents two accounts of Jesus’ giving His disciples instructions for continuing His ministry in His absence. The first, from Matthew 28, comes immediately after the passage from last week’s study. That passage recounted events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection itself.
All that took place in and near Jerusalem. A change in geographical context is introduced, however, by the transition noted in Matthew 28:16, which opens today’s lesson.
- Lesson Context: Acts
The second account comes from the book of Acts. This book is Luke’s record of the history of the first-century church. A vital part of what preceded the founding of the church (Acts 2) was a commission or charge given to the apostles before Jesus’ ascension near Bethany (Luke 24:50, 51).
At first glance, the author Luke seems to record two locations for that event: Bethany, as above, and the Mount of Olives, per Acts 1:12. But no contradiction exists when we realize that Bethany was so close to the Mount of Olives that the village is said to be “at” the mount (Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29). This location was at least 60 miles south of Galilee, but less than two miles from Jerusalem. The tiny village of Bethany is mentioned 11 times in the New Testament, all occurrences being in the four Gospels.
The geographical contexts of our two lesson-segments are different, but the time frame is the same. Both occur during the 40 days of Acts 1:3. This period begins at Jesus resurrection and ends before Pentecost, when the church is established.
- Commission in Matthew
(Matthew 28:16–20)
The location of our first lesson-segment is in accordance with the instructions from both the angel at the tomb and the resurrected Jesus himself (Matthew 28:7, 10).
- Disciples Gather (vv. 16, 17)
- Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
With Judas no longer among their number, the eleven disciples make the multi-day trip back to Galilee. The text does not tell us which specific mountain this is.
17a. And when they saw him, they worshipped him.
Exactly how long after Jesus’ resurrection this appearance takes place is also not clear. The first-day appearances are recorded in Matthew 28:9, 10; Mark 16:9–14; Luke 24:13–32; and John 20:19–25. The next recorded appearance was “after eight days” (John 20:26–29). Following that was an appearance to 7 of the 11 by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1–23). The appearance to over 500 believers recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:6 may occur between that of John 21 and the one in the text before us—much uncertainty exists.
17b. But some doubted.
Despite the previous appearances of Jesus, doubts persist. It would seem by this point that the 11 disciples are fully convinced that Jesus has risen from the dead. Therefore the group gathered here in Galilee may include other followers of Jesus, some of whom have not yet seen Him since His resurrection. One theory is that this occasion is also that of 1 Corinthians 15:6, just noted.
What Do You Think?
What’s the best way to react the next time doubts interfere with your worship? Why?
Digging Deeper Which of the following passages helps you most in this regard: Matthew 14:28–33; 21:21; Mark 9:24; John 20:24–29, James 1:6–8; Jude 20–25? Why?
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- Jesus Commands (vv. 18–20)
- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Such a sweeping statement reflects Jesus’ conquest of death (compare Revelation 1:18). The word in the original language behind the translation power is also translated “authority” in other contexts (examples: Matthew 7:29; 8:9). We may think of power as the ability to do something, while authority is the right to do something. Thus the two ideas are closely related, and Jesus has both in an absolute sense. Indeed, the word all dominates this section of three verses. There is nothing partial or halfway about anything here!
This has been clearly implied on many occasions throughout His ministry. His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, for example, overturned commonly held views with the declaration, “But I say unto you …” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44). He had exercised power over disease, nature, and death. Now His own resurrection proves the claim beyond a shadow of a doubt. And what He claims is what He possessed in the beginning (John 1:1–3).
The fact that this power is given to Jesus implies that the heavenly Father, having sent the Son (Galatians 4:4), is the one who has given the Son all power and authority. What is implied here is unmistakable in Matthew 11:27; John 3:35; 13:3; 17:2; Ephesians 1:20–22; and Philippians 2:9–11.
What Do You Think?
In what ways can and will your choices in the coming week show that Christ is the ultimate authority and power in your life?
Digging Deeper How can you make those choice also speak against popular alternative “authorities”?
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19a. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.
Jesus can do many things with the power and authority He has. He can take immediate vengeance on those who crucified Him. He can destroy the Roman occupiers and restore Israel’s self-governing status. Jesus does indeed desire that all nations recognize and honor Him. But the method here is not that of brute force. Instead, He desires it to happen by means of teaching. The Greek verb translated teach is also translated as the English noun “disciple” in Matthew 27:57. Thus the task is one of disciple-making.
It is interesting to consider occasions during Jesus’ ministry when He told someone who had been blessed by a miracle not to tell anyone (Matthew 8:3, 4; 9:29, 30; 12:15, 16; 17:9; etc.). The reason for this directive is seen in what happened when it was disobeyed: “Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places” (Mark 1:45).
Now, however, the time for silence is over! The good news about Jesus is to be made known to everyone everywhere. Jesus had focused His three-year ministry on Israel (Matthew 10:5, 6; 15:21–24). But He has also indicated that His kingdom will be inclusive of all peoples (Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:29). This is nothing new, since Old Testament prophets predicted this (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Jeremiah 3:17; Daniel 7:14; Micah 4:2; etc.). This is how the promise to Abraham that “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” will be fulfilled (Genesis 12:3; compare Galatians 3:8).
What Do You Think?
What one thing extra can you do in the week ahead to help take the gospel to a nation other than your own?
Digging Deeper What distractions might Satan offer to divert your attention from doing so?
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19b. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Making disciples is characterized, in part, by baptizing those being taught. The meaning and significance of baptism are addressed elsewhere (Acts 2:38; 19:4, 5; Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21; etc.). The stress here is submission and allegiance to the Father, … the Son, and … the Holy Ghost.
Obedience to this command is seen in Acts 8:36–38; 9:18; 16:33; 18:8; etc. But some students wonder why Peter will command baptism only “in the name of Jesus Christ” on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38) and later (10:48). The fact that Peter does so indicates that he does not see a contradiction. It is clear from Jesus’ teaching that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in complete unity with one another (John 16:12–15; compare 1 Peter 1:2). To baptize in the name of Jesus must include the other two.
Figurative, Literal, Literalistic?
I’ve spent much of my life as a teacher in Christian colleges. During those decades, my students have included some who doubted their faith, others who were solid Christians, and yet others who were so “solid” that they could not be swayed from an overly rigid approach to biblical truth.
For example, one student in the latter category said she believed that everything in the Bible should be “interpreted literally.” In an attempt to help her see that figurative language such as hyperbole was in the Bible, I asked if she still had both eyes and both hands—in spite of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:29, 30.
She began to catch the idea, but still found it hard to give up her insistence on unbending literalism. Finally, she said, “OK, I literally believe some of the things in the Bible are figurative!” I suggested to her that what she was really trying to say was that she always approached the Bible seriously.
Some Christian fellowships struggle over the flexibility (or inflexibility) of Bible language. How can baptism administered “in Jesus’ name” be as valid as baptism done “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”? The answer may lie in the category of figurative language known as synecdoche. That is a figure of speech where mention of a part is intended to refer to the whole or vice versa.
A serious acceptance of biblical truth must not require us to exercise a “one size fits all” method of interpretation to every verse in the Bible. When Jesus says “I am the door” in John 10:7, He is literally a door in the sense of being a portal or barrier between two areas. He is not a door in a literalistic sense of being made from wood and swinging on iron hinges!
—C. R. B.
20a. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
Teaching does not end once someone becomes a disciple of Jesus. Discipleship is in truth a school of lifelong learning from which one does not graduate while on this earth. Every follower of Jesus must continue to learn how to be Christ’s person anew through the various stages of life—teenager, adult, spouse, parent, grandparent, widow(er), etc. Being a disciple of Jesus informs each transition, providing the disciple with additional opportunities to present the good news of Jesus to others.
20b. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus concludes what we call the Great Commission with the assurance of His presence at all times. Matthew mentions toward the beginning of his Gospel how Jesus’ birth fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, that a virgin will give birth to a son who will be called Emmanuel (Matthew 1:22, 23), meaning “God with us.” Now Matthew concludes his record with Jesus’ assurance that He will be with His followers as they carry out the task He gives them.
- Commission in Acts
(Acts 1:6–8)
In the first recorded words of Jesus in the book of Acts, He tells His apostles not to leave Jerusalem until the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 5). Our lesson picks up at this point. The 40-day period of Acts 1:3 is coming to a close.
- Flawed Question (v. 6)
- When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The word therefore connects the apostles’ question with Jesus’ teachings concerning “the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3) and His promise that they will be “baptized with the Holy Ghost” (1:5). The very nature of the question reveals that the apostles just don’t get it! Jesus has taught repeatedly, through both parable and direct teaching, that His kingdom is spiritual in nature. But these men are still thinking in terms of a political kingdom. They are anticipating a conqueror who will overthrow Rome and vanquish all enemies of Israel. They are expecting that the “glory days” experienced under King David will be restored.
- First Priority (vv. 7, 8)
- 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.
Jesus had previously warned His disciples not to let themselves be distracted by a fascination with setting dates for His return (Matthew 24:36–44; 25:13). Here the issue is the establishment of His kingdom, but the warning remains the same: God is the ultimate timekeeper. Information such as this has been withheld from humanity.
What Do You Think?
What tactics might Satan use to get Christians distracted with end-times speculation?
Digging Deeper Propose a defense to each tactic you imagine Satan might use.
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Visual for Lesson 9. Have this visual clearly visible as you pose the discussion question associated with either Matthew 28:19a or Acts 1:8b.
Secrets Best Kept That Way
“I’ll tell you a secret, but you have to promise you won’t tell anyone” is a guaranteed conversation starter. Who can resist the chance to learn a secret, especially if it’s really juicy? Perhaps you’ve heard about the person who said, “I never say anything about anybody unless it’s good, and let me tell you, this is really good!”
Jesus’ parting words to His disciples included recognition of a secret: there are certain things regarding time lines that humans are not privileged (or burdened!) to know. That fact has troubled Christians ever since (compare 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2). It seems that many of the first-century Christians understood Jesus to be saying He would return within their lifetimes (compare 2 Peter 3:3, 4). But when the last of the apostles had died, that perspective was proven false.
Even so, some modern Christians have asserted that Christ “returned” in a spiritual sense at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Various movements have been founded on the premise that Christ’s return would be within the founders’ lifetimes. Yet the secret remains a secret.
When the disciples asked Jesus to reveal the full secret, He told them, in effect, not to bother themselves with this issue. Instead, they were to focus on the task ahead and the supernatural help He was sending (see the next verse). Task or speculation—which do we focus on?
—C. R. B.
8a. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.
Jesus has a far more significant work for His followers to engage in than date-fixation. Their priority must be to receive power of the Holy Ghost (which happens on the Day of Pentecost; Acts 2). Thus Jesus makes sure that the distraction question of verse 6 hasn’t caused them to miss His statement of verse 5.
8b. 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.
Many students of the Bible have noted that this sequence of places provides an outline of the gospel’s progress as recorded by Luke in the book of Acts. The gospel is first preached by Peter in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. The impact of that message is immediate as 3,000 are led to become followers of Jesus (Acts 2:41).
Later the movement expands into Judaea (the region in which Jerusalem is located) and Samaria. This is spurred by the persecution initiated by Saul, which forces the believers out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1).
Taking the message unto the uttermost part of the earth begins with the conversion of Cornelius and his household (the first Gentile converts). It is furthered by the missionary journeys of Paul. On one such journey, He too will speak of the futility of being concerned with “the times and the seasons” (1 Thessalonians 5:1).
At the conclusion of Acts, Paul is in Rome—a location which at that time represents “the uttermost part.” It marked a goal that Paul had been keenly intent on reaching (Acts 19:21; 23:11). The gospel was already there before Paul came. Of course, Paul was always thinking of new frontiers, such as Spain (Romans 15:23, 24) to which the gospel might be taken (compare 2 Corinthians 10:15, 16).
While the commissions of Jesus in Matthew and Acts differ in certain details, they have one crucial item in common: Jesus wants His followers to take His message of salvation to the entire world. That is to be the top priority for the apostles as the Day of Pentecost approaches. It must still be the church’s top priority today.
Jesus’ commission here is immediately followed by His ascension into Heaven. Luke records this both in his Gospel (Luke 24:51) and in the first chapter of Acts.
What Do You Think?
What practical steps can and will you take in the week ahead to become a more effective witness for the Lord?
Digging Deeper In what ways can nonbiblical resources help you in this, if at all? Why?
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Conclusion
- What Only the Church Can Do
Dr. Joe Ellis was a highly respected and innovative authority on church growth. His books include The Church on Purpose and The Church on Target, both of which are intended to provide encouragement and practical guidelines for growth to congregations and their leadership.
One of Dr. Ellis’s most insightful statements comes from another book he wrote entitled The Personal Evangelist. It is this: “The most important tasks the church can do are those that only the church can do.”
What is it that the church, and only the church, can do? What makes the church unique?
The answer is that the church alone possesses and can pass along the message of salvation from sin. This message is founded on the facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the good news, the gospel, as defined by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4.
No other organization or institution in the world declares, or is charged with declaring, such a message. And that is only fitting since Jesus’ kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36). His final recorded words before ascending, as we have seen in this study, were that the gospel be taken to the entire world.
Today, however, the church is pulled in different directions by a host of causes and issues. Many of these causes and issues involve societal ills, a number of which most certainly should be addressed. The Bible is highly concerned with issues of social justice. Even so, the church must not compromise or forsake its primary mission: to take to a lost and dying world the good news of eternal life available through Jesus.
Acts 6:1–4 is a brilliant example of the tension. Two important social issues loomed: (1) providing food for widows in need and (2) ensuring fairness in the distribution of that food. The Jerusalem church took those issues seriously. But when the apostles said, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables” (6:2), the primary mission remained unchanged. As the church makes disciples who in turn make disciples, then the church is accomplishing its primary mission.
The locations mentioned in Acts 1:8 can provide a model for any church’s evangelistic strategy. A congregation must first seek to reach its own surroundings, but it must not be satisfied with that. The people must be challenged to expand the church’s outreach. That involves thinking globally. Support through prayer, financial resources, and personal involvement will be the result.
A book title from several years ago stated an important truth: Disciples Are Made, Not Born. For a church to present itself as an attractive place to put one’s membership is relatively easy. For a church to commit to making disciples is an entirely different matter. A church must strive always and consciously to keep the main thing the main thing. The head of the church, Jesus Christ, has given the church its marching orders. Those orders have never been amended. The issue is whether the church needs to amend its priorities. Thus it bears repeating: the most important tasks the church can do are those that only the church can do.
- Prayer
Father, may we give the words of Jesus, the head of the church, the attention they (and He) deserve. We pray Your help to keep us focused on the Great Commission we have. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Thought to Remember
Jesus’ last words before ascending must be the church’s first priority always.
KID’S CORNER
Why Believers Worship Jesus
April 28, 2019
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
(Matthew 28:16) But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
Matthew wrote a shortened version of Jesus’ resurrection appearances and added some facts some of the other gospel writers omitted (this is to be expected of any biographer or Bible commentator). From the gospels we learn that the disciples did not immediately believe the women and do what Jesus commanded them to do through the women’s testimony; however, the eleven did eventually go to Galilee as Jesus had commanded them (perhaps to the Mount of Transfiguration—see Matthew 17, or to the place where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount—see Matthew 5-7). They would never have gone back to Galilee to see Jesus if Jesus had not convinced them in Jerusalem that He was raised from the dead. Based on all the evidence they had, Jesus called them foolish and slow to believe (see Luke 24:25). The eleven went, perhaps along with others (the Bible does not tell us how many went); however, Jesus did appear to more than 500 at one time and this may be that time and place (see 1 Corinthians 15:6).
(Matthew 28:17) When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Just as the women worshiped Jesus on Resurrection Sunday, the disciples also worshiped Jesus when He appeared to them on the mountain. Rather than doubting His resurrection (which they had become convinced of by Jesus himself in Jerusalem), I believe that some (perhaps none of the eleven, but others is the crowd) doubted whether they should worship Jesus as God. Jesus’ response when He gave them the Great Commission (see below) answers the doubt about whether they should worship Him as God. As the Son of God, God the Father gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth. It may also be that some doubted it was Jesus and they did not recognize Jesus until He spoke to them. Many of them may not have had perfect 20/20 vision, so they saw Him indistinctly. After Jesus came closer to them and spoke to them, they recognized him, and He took away their doubts. In a similar way, Mary did not recognize Jesus (thinking He was the gardener) until He spoke to her (see John 20:15-18). In the next verse, Matthew recorded Jesus’ spoken words called “The Great Commission.”
(Matthew 28:18) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Messiah, did not grasp after power and authority. He did not grasp after equality with God (see Philippians 2:6). As the Son of God, before Jesus was born and became a man, He possessed all authority in heaven and on earth. As God, all things were created by him and through him (see John 1:1-3). Now, as fully God and fully human, having humbled himself and completed His work of redemption by His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, His heavenly Father gave him authority as King over all creation. Jesus is far greater than the ideas the Jews had of a Messiah who would be a King of Israel in King David’s image. Jesus is King over all the earth, over all people and nations. Jesus is King over all in heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (see Matthew 26:64 & Mark 16:19).
(Matthew 28:19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Jesus commanded all His disciples/learners to make other disciples—not just among the Jews but among all people of all nations, because He is King over all the nations on earth. The first eleven disciples are also called apostles. Jesus’ command did not apply only to the apostles. Jesus commands all His disciples to make other disciples. Jesus’ command was not only to the eleven apostles or only to a professional religious class, but to all disciples until Jesus comes again—that includes all who trust in Jesus today. Jesus intends that His disciples will so influence, teach, and live according to His loving and truthful example that at some point so many people in a nation are so transformed by faith in Jesus Christ that that nation might be looked upon as substantially a Christian nation—not because Christian rulers, teachings, and commands have been imposed or forced upon the people, but because the vast majority of the people have been transformed by the Truth and the Holy Spirit. Those who chose to follow Jesus as King, Lord, and Savior were to demonstrate their faith by being baptized and by their obedience to Jesus’ commands. Baptism shows forth that a new way of life has begun for the true believer in Jesus. Notice: Jesus used “Name” in the singular when speaking of baptizing in the name of “the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” He declared clearly that worshiping him as God was right and permissible, for the Three Persons are One God. (For a deeper analysis, see my article “Matthew 28:16-20 Reconsidered,” which appeared in The Expository Times, March 1979, currently available in “Resources” on the International Bible Lessons Commentary website.)
(Matthew 28:20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Jesus’ Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” was to come into visible existence as those the disciples helped and prayed for became disciples too. No one was to be made “a Christian” or disciple of Jesus by force or by threats (which is truly impossible), but by teaching the truth about Jesus and praying for the Holy Spirit to make the truth of Jesus come alive in a person’s heart leading them to bow before Jesus as their King, Lord, and Savior. Because Jesus is King over all with authority over all, everyone is to be taught to obey Jesus, every command of Jesus is to be obeyed, because in that way Jesus is honored as King over all and people are protected from doing evil to themselves and others. In their endeavor to teach all people to obey Jesus, Jesus encourages His disciples (all who trust in Jesus as King) by telling them He will be with them always. The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit indwell all Christians.
(Acts 1:6) So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
This verse seems to continue the conversation between Jesus and the disciples on the mountain. With Jesus being given all authority, they reasonably asked Jesus when He would use His authority to overthrow the Roman occupation of Judea and restore the kingdom of Israel by becoming its rightful King or putting one of them in charge as King of the Jews. To them, Jesus was still a national king rather than King of the universe.
(Acts 1:7) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Jesus replied that there are certain facts or truths that they did not need to know, at least not at that time. Their vision of what Jesus should do as King was distinctly opposite from what Jesus wanted them to do—make disciples of Jesus Christ in all the nations of the world. Jesus Christ was and is King over all, including King over all nations, not just over one nation that would rule over all other nations, but it would take the disciples many years to learn the extent of Jesus’ purpose for them.
(Acts 1:8) but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
The disciples would receive divine power from the Holy Spirit when He came upon them. In the Spirit’s power, they would tell others the truth about Jesus beginning in Jerusalem—among the type of people they were most familiar with, and where many witnesses could also confirm what they said. Then, they would go to the Jews and Gentiles in Judea and Samaria (where they had been taught by Jesus about evangelizing Samaritans when He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well). Like those in Jerusalem, these people would also be familiar with the Old Testament, the Law of God, and Moses’ teachings; therefore, they could more easily teach them how Jesus fulfilled their expectations. After they grew in faith and experience as witnesses for Jesus, they would be prepared by the Holy Spirit to go to all the nations, tribes, and people throughout the earth.
Why Believers Worship Jesus
April 28, 2019
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matthew 28:18).
The Judeans eagerly expected the Messiah to come and fulfill the prophet Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7:14 — “And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” During His earthly ministry, Jesus showed He was the One in Daniel’s vision by His dominion over demons, diseases, and death. He fed thousands and stilled storms. Before His resurrection from the dead, Jesus descended into the underworld and made a “proclamation to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19). After Jesus rose from the tomb, He appeared to many of His followers and proved that He had conquered death and the devil. When His followers went to Galilee as He commanded, He declared that His Father had given Him all authority in heaven and on earth, which fulfilled Daniel’s vision. When Jesus died on the cross, He saved from their sins and the power of sin all who would believe in Him. So, His followers worship Him as their Savior. After Jesus rose from the dead, God revealed that Jesus is the King of the universe. So, His followers worship Him as their Lord. Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, He ascended into heaven where He sits on the throne of God and sends the Holy Spirit into all who believe in Him. Therefore, Jesus’ followers worship Him as their God and wait for Him as “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Thinking Further
Why Believers Worship Jesus
April 28, 2019
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
Name ______________________________
- Do you think the eleven disciples would have gone to see Jesus in Galilee if they had not first been convinced in Jerusalem that He was raised from the dead? Give a reason for your answer.
- What do you think some of the people doubted?
- What did Jesus say about himself? What does that mean to you?
- What are some commands Jesus gave the disciples? Should we obey them too?
- What were the disciples to receive and how would this gift help them? Will this gift also help Christians today?
Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further
- Do you think the eleven disciples would have gone to see Jesus in Galilee if they had not first been convinced in Jerusalem that He was raised from the dead? Give a reason for your answer. No. They did not believe the testimony of the women and would not believe Jesus was raised from the dead until they saw Jesus personally.
- What do you think some of the people doubted? Whether it was Jesus or some other being (spirit or angel?) that they saw. Perhaps they could not see well and could not believe it was Jesus until He spoke to them. Or, they doubted whether they should worship Jesus or not, for they were only to worship God.
- What did Jesus say about himself? What does that mean to you? Jesus said all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to him. He also said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I can worship Jesus as Lord and Savior and King of the universe and trust that every moment of every day Jesus is with me no matter what happens.
- What are some commands Jesus gave the disciples? Should we obey them too? Go to all nations. Make disciples in all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all that He had commanded them to do. Yes, in all the ways possible to us as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and use the gifts God as given to us to serve Jesus our King.
- What were the disciples to receive and how would this gift help them? Will this gift also help Christians today? The gift is the Holy Spirit who would give them power as witnesses for Jesus wherever they went. Yes.
Word Search
Why Believers Worship Jesus
April 28, 2019
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
Name ______________________________
H T R A E O B V W B H R B P I
C L X D N S N A F Y O Y N Z Y
E E S Q C O E W P S L R K T Q
W E L U S W M L O T Y J I G K
O M L E S Q T F P D I R U V U
R X K I V E X S R I O Z H Z X
S O S Q L E J P N H C F I G P
H R M A I A N O T S J S O N Q
I E B O X M G U N T E R I A G
P H H S U B A O E I S H N D Z
E T E R L N I B X R U P R V C
D A A H I T T N V I S A Z F I
C F V B A G E A F P C H J K G
Y D E N S B Y W I S Y I Z O N
Z C N M I M R J C N T N Y L M
Eleven
Disciples
Galilee
Mountain
Jesus
Worshiped
Authority
Heaven
Earth
Nations
Baptizing
Father
Son
Holy
Spirit
True and False Test
Why Believers Worship Jesus
April 28, 2019
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:6-8
Name ______________________________
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
- The twelve disciples went to Galilee and saw Jesus alive. True or False
- The disciples worshiped Jesus on the mountain in Galilee. True or False
- After some doubted, Jesus came and spoke to them. True or False
- After Jesus rose from the dead, He grasped all authority in heaven and on earth. True or False
- Jesus commands His disciples to make more disciples. True or False
- Some of Jesus’ disciples disobeyed and chose not to be baptized. True or False
- The disciples baptized in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. True or False
- The Holy Spirit will give power to Jesus’ witnesses. True or False
- The disciples wanted Jesus to restore the kingdom of Israel. True or False
- Jesus always told His disciples everything they wanted to know whenever they asked Him a question. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
10.False
Prayer
Father, may we give the words of Jesus, the head of the church, the attention they (and He) deserve. We pray Your help to keep us focused on the Great Commission we have. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.