Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
PART 93: THE GREAT COMMISSION
RLJ-1996
JOHN S. TORELL
JANUARY 5, 2025
TEACHING ALL NATIONS
Jesus instructed the apostles to spread out and teach every nation about the Messiah, baptizing the new converts in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This was a new concept for the Jewish apostles – actively seeking out Gentiles – who were initially instructed not to preach to them. Matthew 10:5-6
When people converted to Christ, they were to observe everything Jesus had instructed the apostles to do. The Son of God told the apostles that He would be with them until the end of the world. Nothing would change during this time period. The takeaway is that Jesus never changes and His program is steadfast.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
MARK’S COMMISSION
As a student of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969, I was shocked when a theology professor instructed us never to use Mark 16:15-20 in our preaching because the text was not contained in the major fragments of the Greek New Testament. He was convinced that Jesus never spoke these words.
This damnable teaching dates back to the late 1800s when two British clergymen, Westcott and Hort, came up with their version of the Greek New Testament in 1881. This text eventually would go on to become the basis for all new translations in the 20th century. The most well-known being New International Version (NIV) being published in 1978 with more than 500 million copies in circulation as of 2020.
Many of the new translations omit the last six verses of Mark chapter sixteen. Most mainline denominations do not believe these verses were written by Mark, but were added afterwards by some unknown person. Only Pentecostal denominations accept these verses as part of the original writings of Mark.
The so-called theological scholars today reject these verses as a forgery despite the fact that they are included in the King James Bible.
SPREADING A LIE
The mainline denominations in America do not believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts. It all began when the Roman Catholic Church was founded in 325 A.D and all supernatural manifestations as found in the Book of Acts vanished. When Martin Luther (1483-1546) started the reformation, it is clear from his writings that he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, but he never propagated it in his doctrine and this is why miracles never took place in Lutheran churches. When the Baptist movement started around 1609, their theology pretty much followed the Lutheran doctrine, with the distinction of water baptism by immersion.
British denominations like the Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians purged the baptism of the Holy Spirit and adopted the lie that there is no moving of the Holy Spirit anymore.
They teach that when the New Testament was compiled around A.D. 100, the church fathers came to the conclusion that there was no further need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. The completed Bible meant there was no continued need for the power by the Holy Spirit. This conclusion is based upon a misquotation of Paul when he stated “when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” 1 Corinthians 13:10
Paul’s words in context mean that when anything which is perfect is seen or enjoyed, then that which is imperfect is forgotten, laid aside, or vanishes. It is absolute doctrinal rubbish to state that the third person of the Godhead (Holy Spirit) is not necessary when the second person of the Godhead (Jesus) told the apostles to wait for the promise of the first person of the Godhead (God the Father). Acts 1:4-5
What gives any Christian the right to countermand the instructions of God?!
This pernicious lie slowly became truth over hundreds of years of teaching in Bible colleges and seminaries and subsequently was implanted in the minds of people attending regular denominational churches.
The lie was challenged during revival periods when the Holy Ghost fire fell upon people in meetings around the earth. One such event took place in 1906 on Azusa Street in Los Angeles. This move of God birthed the Pentecostal churches which later split into different denominations due to leadership personalities trying to control the Holy Spirit.
This big fat lie was shattered for me as a southern Baptist in 1970 when I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My worldview was forever changed as the power of God began manifesting itself through the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.
THE TRUTH
Jesus told the eleven apostles to go into the world and preach the gospel. Mark 16:15
He that believes is justified (made right) in the sight of God. Faith must precede water baptism for it is an empty action without justification. Those that deny, reject, despise or neglect the gospel message will face a most unpleasant eternity in hell and it only gets worse in the Lake of Fire. verse 16
Christians would exhibit the following signs – assuming the Holy Spirit was present and working through them – when we asked for something in the name of Jesus.
• We will have the power to cast out devils (demons, evil spirits). Casting out demons was a huge part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. verse 17b
• We will speak with new tongues. The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to speak in a non-native tongue, but to also provide interpretation of an unknown language. verse 17c
• If we encounter a venomous snake or drink any deadly thing, the venom from a snake, or the poison in a drink will do us no harm as the power and protection of God will be manifest for all to see. verse 18a
• The healing power of God will be conveyed through our hands. We will touch the sick and they will recover. This was later played out in the Book of Acts as the apostles laid hands on the sick, some were healed by the shadow of Peter walking by, others received a healing from a handkerchief touched by Paul. verses 18b
Nowhere in the text does Jesus say that miracles are necessary for the establishment of Christianity throughout the world, and once that occurs, their continuance would come to an end.
Mark does not provide any detail on how Jesus ascended to heaven; he just stated it as a matter of fact and now resides in heaven, sitting in a place of honor on the right side of God the Father. verse 19
Mark testified that when the apostles and other believers went forth as instructed, the Holy Spirit was present, working with them, and confirming the words of Jesus. They had the power to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, the power and protection of God was evident, and the sick were healed. verse 20
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
