The Teachings of Jesus

Our Mission

Lesson #9 for August 30, 2014

Scriptures: [Matthew 5:14-16; 28:19-20; Luke 24:48-49; John 20:21; Revelation 14:6-12][i].

1.    This lesson will focus on the mission of the church and of church members individually. What is our mission? What was Jesus’s mission? Clearly, Jesus intended for His disciples and those who became Christians on the basis of their testimony to pass along the good news to as many people as possible. (Matthew 4:19; 10:5-15; Mark 3:14; Luke 10:1-12)ii

2.    Christ made it abundantly clear that after His resurrection, the task of spreading the gospel to the world was given to all of His faithful followers. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1:2-5)iii

3.    What was Jesus’s mission?

The law of Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and God was represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very attributes that belonged to the character of Satan, the evil one represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character of God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. . . .[John 17]

Christ exalted the character of God, attributing to him the praise, and giving to him the credit, of the whole purpose of his own mission on earth,-to set men right through the revelation of God. In Christ was arrayed before men the paternal grace and the matchless perfections of the Father. In his prayer just before his crucifixion, he declared, “I have manifested thy name.” [John 17:6] “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” [John 17:4] When the object of his mission was attained,-the revelation of God to the world,-the Son of God announced that his work was accomplished, and that the character of the Father was made manifest to men.—The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1890, par. 6,9. Compare ST December 4, 1893; Manuscript Releases, vol 18, 358.3-359.1; RH August 14, 1900; YI November 21, 1883; RH, November 1, 1892 par. 12. [Bold type and content in brackets are added.]

4.    If that was the mission of Jesus, what is our mission? Shouldn’t our mission be the same?

5.    Read Matthew 5:14-16iv. What does it mean to be a light to the world? As you look at the members of your Sabbath school class or the members of your church, are they seen as a light of the community? (Psalm 27:1; 1 John 1:5)[v] We need to be abundantly clear that we are not lights ourselves; we can only reflect light from God. (Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7)vi

6.    It is God’s plan for us to study the Scriptures and especially the life and death of Jesus Christ until, as we admire Him, we become like Him. (John 1:4,9; 2 Corinthians 4:6)vii Remember that we can only reflect the light. We can let Jesus shine through us, not to show off our goodness but to encourage people to look to Jesus and to the Father.

If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light.—Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing 41.1. [Bold type is added.]

7.    We need to practice thinking like God and thinking like the Devil. T ry to imagine yourself as one of the disciples on crucifixion weekend. They were petrified, fearful, distressed, discouraged, and perplexed. They knew Jesus had the ability to escape from His enemies. They knew Jesus would have made a perfect king for the people of Israel. So, how could He allow Himself to be killed by the Romans? He was supposed to conquer the Romans!

8.    He had predicted His death! (Luke 18:31-34)viii Then suddenly, on the third day after He was crucified, He appeared alive and well in the upper room, having passed through locked doors and walls! They must have thought they were seeing a ghost. But, slowly recovering from their shock, they began to realize that Christ had a very different plan from the one they had been trying to follow. He was commissioning them to be His witnesses. But, He told them to wait for something. What was that? (See Luke 24:48-49; Acts 1:8.)ix What was it that the Holy Spirit needed to do for them before they could become true witnesses? They had to set aside all their personal differences and come together as a unified group.

9.    Christ had already sent them on several different missions going throughout Galilee (Matthew 10) and, later, through Perea as a group of seventy or seventy-two. (Luke 10:1-24)[x] He gave them power and authority to do the same work He had been doing. Does God want us to do that same work? They were ready to die for Jesus!

10.    Read John 20:21xi. Jesus proclaimed to them that just as the Father had sent Him, He was sending them. Does that commission include us? God had been grossly misrepresented by Satan and his followers who pretended to be followers of God. (See Great Contoversy 536.2)

11.    Seventh-day Adventists have often seemed to suggest that if we can convert as many people as possible, making them members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, our mission will be accomplished. Is that true? Is it possible that we have not yet received the latter rain because we are not giving the correct or accurate message that Jesus gave?

12.    When a person in authority sends someone on a mission, it implies several things: 1) That the person who is sending has the authority to do so; 2) That there is a definite purpose for the mission; and 3) That the messenger can and is expected to accomplish the mission.

13.    Read John 20:22xii and Genesis 2:7xiii. When God breathed into the dust-or clay-of the ground which He had formed into a human being, Adam began to live. What is supposed to happen when Jesus breathes into His disciples the power of the Holy Spirit? God expects a transformation to take place. And what is included in that transformation? When ordinary human beings with their usual selfish ambitions and motives become servants of God, they will have a compelling desire to teach the world the truth about their loving heavenly Father. What does it take to motivate people to take on that task? What kind of powerful evidence do we need to convince us that it is our task? The original disciples were transformed and motivated by the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Jesus gave them permission and the commission to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach after the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were ready.

14.    What kind of change took place in the disciples between the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the day of Pentecost? Look at Peter whom many Christians in our world believe was given the task of leading the church. As Jesus was being tried, Peter denied Him, even with cursing and swearing three different times. And Peter had already been warned! (Mark 14:27-31,50,66-72)xiv After Pentecost, he was a completely changed person. (Acts 4:8-13)xv

15.    Even after the resurrection and realizing that Jesus was God, the disciples were reluctant to go beyond preaching to the Jews in Judea and Galilee. Even though Jesus had told them clearly that it was to be their job to reach out to the entire world, (Matthew 28:19-20)xvi they were very reluctant to do so. It was not until persecution came with force three and one-half years later, (Acts 8:1)xvii that the disciples were finally scattered and began to take the gospel to other areas. But, they were still not prepared to spread the gospel to anyone except Jews!

16.    Look at Acts 11:19-21 (GNB). 19Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message to Jews only. 20 But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord’s power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. [Bold type is added.]

17.    Why do you think it was that believers from Cyprus and Libya (Cyrene) were the first ones to begin openly preaching the gospel to the Gentiles? The brethren from Jerusalem were so worried when news of this development reached them that they sent Barnabas to Antioch to investigate. (Acts 11:22-24)xviii And he joined the revolution!

18.    Barnabas realized that something remarkable was happening. After working for some time with the people from Antioch, he went in search of Paul to help him further the gospel. (Acts 11:25-26)xix

19.    Remember that Peter had been directed-by a dream from heaven and a message sent by the Holy Spirit-to go and preach to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his family. (Acts 10)xx Peter was so worried about what would happen when he got back to Jerusalem that he took six witnesses with him to back up his story! (Acts 11:1-18)xxi

20.    Are we as Seventh-day Adventists in the 21st century still afraid to move out of our little ghettos to spread the gospel to the whole world?

21.    Many modern Seventh-day Adventists will say: “I cannot go to the other side of the world to preach the gospel. I do not have the proper training, and I have a job and a family to support.” But, God does not tell us that everyone has to go far away to spread the gospel. What are we doing in our local communities?

22.    Look again at Matthew 28:19-20xxii. Notice that it says we are to go to all people and all nations, teaching them to observe all things pertaining to the gospel; and it gives us the assurance that God will be with us always, that is literally “all the days,” to the end of time. This commission is full of “alls.” Wouldn’t it be fair to call this commission a promise?

23.    Read Mark 16:15xxiii. Mark’s version of the gospel commission is much shorter than Matthew’s. “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race.” (GNB) Church members might read this and think: Okay, I’m off the hook; preaching is to be done by the pastor, not by me! But, the Greek word used means to proclaim, or to announce and does not involve preaching to a large gathering. In what ways can you spread the gospel at your work, at your school, and in your community?

24.    Following the Great Disappointment on October 22, 1844-almost 170 years ago-those who were to become Seventh-day Adventists began to take another look at the three angels’ messages. They compared Revelation 12:17xxiv with Revelation 14:12xxv and Revelation 19:10xxvi and determined that God is looking for a special group of people to proclaim His message at the end of time. Later, they claimed that task for every member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Are we doing it? The first angel said that we are supposed to tell the good news about God to every nation, language, tribe, and people.

25.    John and Mark were not just giving us a task to try. Matthew 24:14 promises us that it will happen.

Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission. He made full provision for the prosecution of the work, and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success.

So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. . . .The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 822.1-2. [Bold type is added.]

26.    Are we prepared to do our part?

Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 195.2.

27.    God makes it very clear what He thinks about those who fail to carry out His purpose of spreading the gospel.

The very life of the church depends upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the Lord’s commission. To neglect this work is surely to invite spiritual feebleness and decay. Where there is no active labor for others, love wanes, and faith grows dim.. . . (The Desire of Ages 825.2)

Heaven stands indignant at the neglect shown to the souls of men. Would we know how Christ regards it? How would a father and mother feel, did they know that their child, lost in the cold and the snow, had been passed by, and left to perish, by those who might have saved it? Would they not be terribly grieved, wildly indignant? Would they not denounce those murderers with wrath hot as their tears, intense as their love? The sufferings of every man are the sufferings of God’s child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their perishing fellow beings provoke His righteous anger. This is the wrath of the Lamb. To those who claim fellowship with Christ, yet have been indifferent to the needs of their fellow men, He will declare in the great Judgment day, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:27xxvii. (The Desire of Ages 825.4)

28.    In light of the passage from Signs of the Times quoted in item #3 regarding Jesus’s mission, how many-even of the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church-understand our true mission? In the last 100 years, the means of communication have rapidly multiplied and expanded. Is it possible that God has allowed us to discover these new methodologies so the gospel can be carried quickly to the whole world?

29.    Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a number of scholars have tried to figure out why the gospel seems to be moving so slowly in some parts of the world. Sophisticated research methods have been applied. Is it possible that if we were just willing to allow ourselves to be used by the Holy Spirit and if we worked giving the full and complete gospel like Jesus did, that we would see the latter rain descend with the power of the Holy Spirit? Has the church lost its mission? Are we focusing on hundreds of other things, perhaps even good things, instead of the most important thing? If the bridegroom should show up today, how many of us would be found without oil in our lamps and with no spare oil either? (Matthew 25:1-13)xxviii

30.    God has commissioned every one of us to be ambassadors for Him. We are not to be ambassadors for ourselves or even for the church, but for Jesus Christ. There are only three or four things we need to understand and do to accomplish this task: 1) We must not be afraid to mingle with people of the world. 2) We must win their confidence. 3) We must clearly understand the good news about the character of God and His government. And 4) With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must appeal to people to become Christians. This does not mean we have to use some bold “bull in a china shop” approach. If we are acting in Christ-like ways, we will not be able to prevent our light from shining out to others. And they will ask us what it is that makes us different. Are we prepared to tell them?

© 2014, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.

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Last Modified: July 5, 2014

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i-Matthew 5:14 "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

John 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down upon you."

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you."

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!" 8 A second angel followed the first one, saying, "She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She made all peoples drink her wine - the strong wine of her immoral lust!" 9 A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, "Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand 10 will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name." 12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

ii-Matthew 4:19 Jesus said to them, "Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people."

Matthew 10:5 These twelve men were sent out by Jesus with the following instructions: "Do not go to any Gentile territory or any Samaritan towns. 6 Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. 7 Go and preach, "The Kingdom of heaven is near!' 8 Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons. You have received without paying, so give without being paid. 9 Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your pockets; 10 do not carry a beggar's bag for the trip or an extra shirt or shoes or a walking stick. Workers should be given what they need. 11 "When you come to a town or village, go in and look for someone who is willing to welcome you, and stay with him until you leave that place. 12 When you go into a house, say, "Peace be with you.' 13 If the people in that house welcome you, let your greeting of peace remain; but if they do not welcome you, then take back your greeting. 14 And if some home or town will not welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place and shake the dust off your feet. 15 I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah than to the people of that town!

Mark 3:14 and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. "I have chosen you to be with me," he told them. "I will also send you out to preach,

Luke 10:1 After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest. 3 Go! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take a purse or a beggar's bag or shoes; don't stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 Whenever you go into a house, first say, "Peace be with this house.' 6 If someone who is peace-loving lives there, let your greeting of peace remain on that person; if not, take back your greeting of peace. 7 Stay in that same house, eating and drinking whatever they offer you, for workers should be given their pay. Don't move around from one house to another. 8 Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you, 9 heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, "The Kingdom of God has come near you.' 10 But whenever you go into a town and are not welcomed, go out in the streets and say, 11 "Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But remember that the Kingdom of God has come near you!' 12 I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to that town!

iii-1 Corinthians 15:3 I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; 4 that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles. 8 Last of all he appeared also to me - even though I am like someone whose birth was abnormal.

Acts 1:2 until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. 3 For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. 4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. 5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

iv-Matthew 5:14 "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

v-Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.

1 John 1:5 Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him.

vi-Ephesians 5:8 You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,

1 John 1:7 But if we live in the light - just as he is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

vii-John 1:4 The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 9 This was the real light - the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

2 Corinthians 4:6 The God who said, "Out of darkness the light shall shine!" is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.

viii-Luke 18:31 Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, insult him, and spit on him. 33 They will whip him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life." 34 But the disciples did not understand any of these things; the meaning of the words was hidden from them, and they did not know what Jesus was talking about.

ix-Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down upon you."

Acts 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

x-Luke 10:1 After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest. 3 Go! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take a purse or a beggar's bag or shoes; don't stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 Whenever you go into a house, first say, "Peace be with this house.' 6 If someone who is peace-loving lives there, let your greeting of peace remain on that person; if not, take back your greeting of peace. 7 Stay in that same house, eating and drinking whatever they offer you, for workers should be given their pay. Don't move around from one house to another. 8 Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you, 9 heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, "The Kingdom of God has come near you.' 10 But whenever you go into a town and are not welcomed, go out in the streets and say, 11 "Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But remember that the Kingdom of God has come near you!' 12 I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to that town! 13 "How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago sat down, put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins! 14 God will show more mercy on the Judgment Day to Tyre and Sidon than to you. 15 And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell!" 16 Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 17 The seventy-two men came back in great joy. "Lord," they said, "even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!" 18 Jesus answered them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you. 20 But don't be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven." 21 At that time Jesus was filled with joy by the Holy Spirit and said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen. 22 "My Father has given me all things. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." 23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said to them privately, "How fortunate you are to see the things you see! 24 I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, but they could not, and to hear what you hear, but they did not."

xi-John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you."

xii-John 20:22 Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

xiii-Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live.

xiv-Mark 14:27 Jesus said to them, "All of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, "God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep will all be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you." 29 Peter answered, "I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!" 30 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell you that before the rooster crows two times tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me." 31 Peter answered even more strongly, "I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!" And all the other disciples said the same thing. 50 Then all the disciples left him and ran away. 66 Peter was still down in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked straight at him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus of Nazareth." 68 But he denied it. "I don't know . . . I don't understand what you are talking about," he answered, and went out into the passageway. Just then a rooster crowed. 69 The servant woman saw him there and began to repeat to the bystanders, "He is one of them!" 70 But Peter denied it again. A little while later the bystanders accused Peter again, "You can't deny that you are one of them, because you, too, are from Galilee." 71 Then Peter said, "I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know the man you are talking about!" 72 Just then a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows two times, you will say three times that you do not know me." And he broke down and cried.

xv-Acts 4:8 Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: 9 if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, 10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - whom you crucified and whom God raised from death. 11 Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says, "The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.' 12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us." 13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.

xvi-Matthew 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

xvii-Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of his murder. That very day the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria.

xviii-Acts 11:22 The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord.

xix-Acts 11:22 The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord.

xx-Acts 10:1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, who was a captain in the Roman army regiment called "The Italian Regiment." 2 He was a religious man; he and his whole family worshiped God. He also did much to help the Jewish poor people and was constantly praying to God. 3 It was about three o'clock one afternoon when he had a vision, in which he clearly saw an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius!" 4 He stared at the angel in fear and said, "What is it, sir?" The angel answered, "God is pleased with your prayers and works of charity, and is ready to answer you. 5 And now send some men to Joppa for a certain man whose full name is Simon Peter. 6 He is a guest in the home of a tanner of leather named Simon, who lives by the sea." 7 Then the angel went away, and Cornelius called two of his house servants and a soldier, a religious man who was one of his personal attendants. 8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa. 9 The next day, as they were on their way and coming near Joppa, Peter went up on the roof of the house about noon in order to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; while the food was being prepared, he had a vision. 11 He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice said to him, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually unclean or defiled." 15 The voice spoke to him again, "Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean." 16 This happened three times, and then the thing was taken back up into heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon's house was, and they were now standing in front of the gate. 18 They called out and asked, "Is there a guest here by the name of Simon Peter?" 19 Peter was still trying to understand what the vision meant, when the Spirit said, "Listen! Three men are here looking for you. 20 So get ready and go down, and do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 So Peter went down and said to the men, "I am the man you are looking for. Why have you come?" 22 "Captain Cornelius sent us," they answered. "He is a good man who worships God and is highly respected by all the Jewish people. An angel of God told him to invite you to his house, so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Peter invited the men in and had them spend the night there. The next day he got ready and went with them; and some of the believers from Joppa went along with him. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was waiting for him, together with relatives and close friends that he had invited. 25 As Peter was about to go in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed down before him. 26 But Peter made him rise. "Stand up," he said, "I myself am only a man." 27 Peter kept on talking to Cornelius as he went into the house, where he found many people gathered. 28 He said to them, "You yourselves know very well that a Jew is not allowed by his religion to visit or associate with Gentiles. But God has shown me that I must not consider any person ritually unclean or defiled. 29 And so when you sent for me, I came without any objection. I ask you, then, why did you send for me?" 30 Cornelius said, "It was about this time three days ago that I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly a man dressed in shining clothes stood in front of me 31 and said: "Cornelius! God has heard your prayer and has taken notice of your works of charity. 32 Send someone to Joppa for a man whose full name is Simon Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner of leather, who lives by the sea.' 33 And so I sent for you at once, and you have been good enough to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God, waiting to hear anything that the Lord has instructed you to say." 34 Peter began to speak: "I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. 35 Those who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know of the great event that took place throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached his message of baptism. 38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything that he did in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing him to a cross. 40 But God raised him from death three days later and caused him to appear, 41 not to everyone, but only to the witnesses that God had already chosen, that is, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from death. 42 And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name." 44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message. 45 The Jewish believers who had come from Joppa with Peter were amazed that God had poured out his gift of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in strange tongues and praising God's greatness. Peter spoke up: 47 "These people have received the Holy Spirit, just as we also did. Can anyone, then, stop them from being baptized with water?" 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay with them for a few days.

xxi-Acts 11:1 The apostles and the other believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 When Peter went to Jerusalem, those who were in favor of circumcising Gentiles criticized him, saying, 3 "You were a guest in the home of uncircumcised Gentiles, and you even ate with them!" 4 So Peter gave them a complete account of what had happened from the very beginning: 5 "While I was praying in the city of Joppa, I had a vision. I saw something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it stopped next to me. 6 I looked closely inside and saw domesticated and wild animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 7 Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat!' 8 But I said, "Certainly not, Lord! No ritually unclean or defiled food has ever entered my mouth.' 9 The voice spoke again from heaven, "Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.' 10 This happened three times, and finally the whole thing was drawn back up into heaven. 11 At that very moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. These six fellow believers from Joppa accompanied me to Caesarea, and we all went into the house of Cornelius. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, "Send someone to Joppa for a man whose full name is Simon Peter. 14 He will speak words to you by which you and all your family will be saved.' 15 And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 It is clear that God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, then, to try to stop God!" 18 When they heard this, they stopped their criticism and praised God, saying, "Then God has given to the Gentiles also the opportunity to repent and live!"

xxii-Matthew 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

xxiii-Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.

xxiv-Revelation 12:17 The dragon was furious with the woman and went off to fight against the rest of her descendants, all those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to the truth revealed by Jesus.

xxv-Revelation 14:12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

xxvi-Revelation 19:10 I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!" For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets.

xxvii-Luke 13:27 But he will say again, "I don't know where you come from. Get away from me, all you wicked people!'

xxviii-Matthew 25:1 "At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them, 4 while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep. 6 "It was already midnight when the cry rang out, "Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!' 7 The ten young women woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, "Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' 9 "No, indeed,' the wise ones answered, "there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.' 10 So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed. 11 "Later the others arrived. "Sir, sir! Let us in!' they cried out. 12 "Certainly not! I don't know you,' the bridegroom answered." 13 And Jesus concluded, "Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.

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