Dispensation Bible Study #20

Approaching Grace - The Resurrected Christ

After the sorrowful events of Wednesday, came the Passover Sabbath and traditions which continued to Friday and wrapped up with the weekly Sabbath which corresponds to our Saturday. These usually festive Sabbath days were not a happy one for Jesus’ disciples. If He really was the Son of God, then why did He die? Yes, all of the spectacular events that had accompanied Jesus’ death still remained in their minds, but He had died just as every other crucified person. We will see later that despite the consistent teaching that Christ had given His disciples on His death, they really did not expect for Him to rise again. The Saducees did not believe in any type of resurrection, the Pharisees did but were so skeptical as to order Roman guards for the tomb. We, today, know that Jesus rose again from the dead, but place yourself in the minds of the disciples during those few days. A magnificent three and a half year ministry had seemingly come crashing down.

Matt 28:2-4 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Probably sometime around sunset on Saturday, a great earthquake shook the burial place of Jesus and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door! The exact time of the resurrection of Christ is unknown and really not important because the important fact is that He did not stay dead! Notice that the Bible does not say that after the angel rolled away the stone so that Jesus could come walking out. In fact, Jesus is not mentioned in these scriptures for Jesus was already gone! We will see later that in His glorified body, Jesus was able to walk through walls so the stone would not be a problem. The Angel rolled the stone away not to let Jesus out, but to allow witnesses in! Notice verse 3 gives an exact description of the angel that could only come from eyewitnesses. Nicodemus, the Pharisee who had become a follower of Christ, would have heard the guard’s accounts of the events that morning. The Roman guards probably do not remember much else, for they became so scared that they passed out!

Mark 16:1-6 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

The faithful women that had followed Jesus throughout the horrible events of His death, were now the first believers to witness the empty tomb! Mary Magdalene was woman out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils. Mary the mother of James probably refers to the mother of James the lesser, a disciple of Jesus. Salome was the mother of James (the better known one) and John. They were coming to the tomb to leave spices upon the body. As they walked, they realized that they would not be strong enough to roll away the stone from the door. When they arrived at the tomb, imagine their surprise to see the large stone already rolled away and an angel sitting where Jesus should have been telling them that He is alive! Mary Magdalene went immediately to tell Peter and John that Jesus’ body was not there:

John 20:2-4 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Despite the angel’s words, Mary Magdalene did not really believe that Jesus was alive. She just assumed that “the man in white” was from the authorities and that they had moved His body. Peter and John went running to the tomb. Notice that John could obviously run faster than Peter and apparently was proud enough of it that he records it in his gospel!

John 20:5-10 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Peter and John noticed something that the ladies had not noticed: the burial clothes of Jesus lying in the tomb. The napkin that should have been around Jesus’ head was lying by itself. If the authorities had removed Jesus’ body, they would not have removed His burial clothes. At this realization, Peter and John really believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. Notice verse 9 gives us proof that they were not expecting it as they did not yet know the scriptures that had prophesied it. The disciples then returned to their home. Remember that John had been charged by Jesus to take care of Mary His mother. Jesus’ mother probably found out about the resurrection from John the Beloved.

John 20:11-13 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

After Peter and John had returned home, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb. She too peered in the tomb to look at the grave clothes lying in the tomb, but was astonished to see two angels sitting there! Mary still did not grasp the fact that Jesus was risen; not removed!

John 20:14-17 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Turning from the tomb in her grief, Mary Magdalene saw Jesus but thought that He was the gardener or grounds keeper. Still not recognizing Him, Mary asked where the body of Jesus had been taken. Not until Jesus simply said her name did she realize that it really was Him! Notice that Jesus would not let Mary touch Him because He had “not yet ascended to my Father.” Why is this? Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb, the Lamb of God, that was slain and, in doing so, fulfilled all of the law. But the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was also our High Priest:

Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Under law on the day of atonement, the high priest had to take the blood of the sacrificial lamb and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat for the sacrifice to be valid. Jesus was not only the sacrificial lamb, but was also the High Priest and, for His sacrifice to be valid, He had to ascend to the throne of heaven and present His blood! Mary Magdalene could not touch Jesus because He had not yet ascended to sprinkle His blood on the mercy seat of heaven. A beautiful portrait of this event is found in Revelation Chapter 5. This vision of John symbolizes how the flesh of Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for our sin on Calvary. When we get to heaven, we will not see a literal lamb, but “The Lamb” sitting on the one throne in heaven: Jesus Christ (Revelation 4:2). In fact the entire book of Revelation is actually the Revelation of Jesus Christ for who He really is: God Almighty (Revelation 1:1)!

1 Cor 15:4-5 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

While we are not sure of the exact order of all the appearances of Christ after His resurrection, we do know that He appeared unto Mary Magdalene first. He also appeared sometime on Sunday to the other women (Matthew 28:9-10) While we have no record of the exact words spoken, we know from the above scripture and also Luke 24:34 that Jesus then appeared unto Simon Peter before He appeared to anyone else on Sunday. Finally, later in the day, Jesus appeared to two disciples walking down the road:

Luke 24:13-16 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

These two disciples were not members of the twelve (now the eleven because of Judas’ death) but were no doubt a part of the group of followers that Jesus had sent out into Galilee and Judea. As they are walking along, they are talking of all these events that have happened and what people are now saying that has taken place. Jesus appeared walking and joined the two disciples without them recognizing Him. This would not be uncommon as walking was the normal mode of travel in those days and people would often pass the time by talking with those around them. The disciples were so focused on their problem that they did not even recognize that Jesus was in their midst! Even today, it is easy to get so focused on our problem that we can fail to recognize when Jesus is in our presence!

Luke 24:17-24 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Jesus asked the disciples (one of whom is named Cleopas) to explain these events that they were talking about. Cleopas responded by asking Jesus how He could have been in Jerusalem and not heard about “Jesus of Nazareth.” Cleopas went on to state all of the events and all of the rumors about the Messiah to the Messiah!

Luke 24:25-32 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Jesus began to go through every Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah and show how that His death and resurrection had fulfilled every one of them. Despite such knowledge of the scriptures and their hearts “burning within them,” they still did not recognize that it was Jesus talking to them. As they got to the town of Emmaus, Jesus acted like He would have traveled farther but the disciples begged Him to stay and eat with them. When Jesus blessed the food at the table and broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, they realized who He was! Jesus then immediately vanished out of their sight!

Luke 24:33-36 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Cleopas and the other disciple immediately returned to Jerusalem and found all of the eleven disciples except Thomas having a meeting. No doubt the disciples were also discussing the weekends events. While the two disciples from Emmaus told the ten of all that had happened to them, Jesus appeared!

Luke 24:37-40 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

The disciples did not really believe that Jesus was there! To prove that He was not just a ghost but was resurrected flesh, Jesus encouraged the disciples to touch Him. Obviously Jesus had ascended into the throne room of heaven and sprinkled His blood since the appearance to Mary Magdalene.

Luke 24:41-46 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

To convince the disciples that He really had risen from the dead, Jesus ate a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. Finally the ten disciples were convinced and listened as Jesus explained all the Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning His death and resurrection. Jesus then began to teach them about the coming dispensation of Grace:

John 20:20-22 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Jesus said that “just as I was sent on a mission, so I am sending you on a mission.” These men would become the founders of the apostolic church. Notice verse 22 states that He breathed on them and said “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” It would be some 40 days later until the disciples actually received the “Holy Ghost” on the day of Pentecost, but Jesus was already introducing them to the new experiences of Grace. Why did Jesus breathe on them? He was reminding them who He was and explaining what would exactly take place when they did receive the Holy Ghost.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When God created Adam is the first time we read about the “breath of God.” Man was formed from the dirt just as the other walking animals were (Genesis 1:24), but Man was different because God also “breathed into” man the breath of life. Man has a soul and a spirit that placed within man to have a relationship with God. It was this spirit, placed into man by God, that died when Adam first sinned (See Lesson # 2). God, as Creator, placed this part of man into him by breathing.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Because of Adam’s sin, the spirit part of man is in a dead or dormant state. Not only did Adam’s spirit die, but the dormant spirit was passed on to each of us because sin was passed to each of us! No other previous dispensation had regenerated (brought back to life) this spirit in us! But in the dispensation of Grace, we are able to receive God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and God breathes back into us the breath of life and we become a living spiritual being again!

Col 1:14-16 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Paul teaches us that Jesus Christ created all things. Jesus Christ was really who He said that He was: God in flesh! So Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth and breathed the breath of life into man, and in John 20:22, by breathing on the disciples, Jesus was proving His identity as the Creator! In Acts chapter 2, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, we will once again find wind (the breath of the creator) at work. Today some preachers breathe on people to try to give them the Holy Spirit or some other spiritual gift. The scriptures never record any of Jesus’ disciples ever breathing on anyone! The act of breathing on the disciples symbolized that Jesus Christ was indeed the Creator and only the Creator has the right and ability to breathe the breath of life into someone! When a person receives the infilling of the Holy Ghost today, God breathes into them and regenerates their dormant spirit! Only God can give the Holy Ghost and anyone who breathes on someone to impart something spiritually is taking on the role of the Creator! Nowhere in scripture does it encourage or even condone man breathing on man.

John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

The ten disciples and other believers present when the Lord appeared naturally told Thomas about the experience that he had missed. Thomas replied that unless I see the proof myself, I will not believe. Because of this, history has dubbed him as “doubting Thomas.” We actually should refer to him as “want-to-see-for-myself” Thomas!

Matt 28:11-15 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Some time during this eventful Sunday, some of the Roman soldiers reported back to the chief priests on the events of the resurrection. When the Pharisees heard what had happened, they grew scared and paid the soldiers a large amount of money to change their story. Matthew knows this no doubt from the testimony of Nicodemus who would have been present at these secret proceedings. The soldiers were then paid to change their story from the truth to the disciples came by night and stole Jesus’ body. Even today many Jews believe the lie originally spread by the Roman soldiers. The Pharisees then protected the soldiers from the wrath of Pilate. Simply reading all of the accounts of the resurrection proves how far from the truth this rumor was.

John 20:26-30 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

A week later the disciples were meeting again, this time with Thomas present. Jesus again appeared unto them and then immediately directed His attention to Thomas who had doubted! The only way that Jesus could have known that Thomas had doubted was for Him to be exactly who He said He was: God in flesh! Thomas realized without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus truly was alive. Jesus also did other many miracles and signs that day which are, unfortunately, not recorded.

John 21:1-3 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

The next appearance of Jesus to His disciples was on the Sea of Tiberias. Peter decided to go fishing and seven of the disciples went with him. This was not just a fishing trip for pleasure but was a sign of a lack of faith in God. Peter had given up being a fisherman as an occupation when he decided to follow Christ, and by going back he proved that he was placing his trust for the future back in his old lifestyle. Why did Peter return to fishing? Maybe the uncertainty of not having Jesus with him constantly as before, or maybe he was discouraged because he did not understand the perfect plan of God. In any case, the return to fishing was a failure, as they caught nothing all night long.

John 21:4-7 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

As dawn broke ending an long frustrating night of empty net draws, Jesus stood on the shore. He commanded them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and the disciples could not haul it in for it was overflowing with fish! When John realized that the person on the bank was Jesus, he told Peter and Peter jumped out of the boat to get to Him!

John 21:8-14 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

The other disciples brought the ship in to shore with the net of fish. They had only been fishing 100 yards off of shore, and when they came to land they noticed a fire of coals, upon which fish were already cooking and bread baking! The only way to get bed of coals that are hot enough to cook upon is to build a blazing fire. A blazing fire on the shore line only 300 feet away from the boat would have been easily seen by the disciples. The disciples were so caught up in their situation that they failed to realize that Jesus was near! The net had 153 large fish - somebody counted - and yet the net was not broken! Having witnessed the great miracle of the fish, nobody had to ask about the identity of the one who had worked the miracle! This was the third time that Jesus had appeared unto the majority of His disciples. As before, this appearance had a purpose:

John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus asked Peter three times if his love was true. Jesus had already prophesied that upon Peter, He would build His church. Jesus was about to leave the earth and leave the church and new dispensation in the able hands of impetuous Peter. During the trials of Jesus, Peter had denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus wanted to make sure of Peter’s loyalty and awareness of his special calling. Jesus then began to prophesy about Peter’s death:

John 21:18-23 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

Jesus prophesied that Peter would be martyred but should follow God wherever the Spirit led. History teaches us that Peter was killed for his belief in Christ by being crucified. To not die the same way his beloved Christ had died, Peter requested to be crucified upside down. Peter upon hearing about his prophesied death, asked about John the Beloved’s fate. Jesus responded by asking Peter what should it matter IF John were to live forever! John did eventually die despite the misinterpretation of Jesus’ words. John was the only one of the eleven that did not die a martyr, and died of old age despite being boiled in oil.

1 Cor 15:6-7 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Paul in I Corinthians chapter 15 gives us the chronological account of the appearances of Jesus Christ to His disciples before His ascension into heaven. After the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus appeared to about five hundred disciples at once. He then appeared to James. This James is not one of the original twelve disciples but was Jesus’ younger brother. This brother of Jesus became one of the pillars of the church in Jerusalem and writer of the Book of James. After this Jesus was seen of “all the apostles,” once again. Whether or not this refers to the group present at the ascension of Jesus or another revelation, we do not know. We do have several recorded writings of the teachings of Jesus at these events, all of which reveal important details about the coming Dispensation of Grace. As always, understanding Jesus’ words are far more important than understanding the exact details or timing of the appearances.

Matt 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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.

Jesus commanded His disciples to go into every nation baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching everything that He had commanded them. This is why the next book after the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is called “The Acts of the Apostles.” For it was the record of the disciples obeying this commandment from the Lord. Not every teaching that Jesus gave His disciples is recorded verbatim in the four Gospels, so the Book of Acts is very important to see how the disciples acted in “obeying” everything that Jesus had commanded. For example, many today insist on baptizing people by saying “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” But they are merely repeating Jesus’ command, rather than obeying Jesus’ command. We will see that everywhere the disciples obeyed this commandment and baptized people, they did so by stating “in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 2:38 8:16 10:48 19:3-5 22:16 Romans 6:3) We will briefly look at Jesus’ past words and see why baptizing “in the name of Jesus” was the only way that the disciples baptized:

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Jesus stated that he had come in “my Father’s name,” what was His name? Jesus Christ. So the name of the Father is Jesus.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now Jesus said that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, would be sent “in my name.” What was His name? Jesus Christ. So the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus.

Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

When Mary gave birth to the Son of God, she was commanded by the angel to call His name Jesus. So the name of the Son is Jesus. The disciples did not disobey Matthew 28:19, they understood what Jesus was saying and they obeyed it exactly by baptizing “in the name of Jesus.” Follow Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 28:19 exactly and be baptized “in the name of Jesus!”

Mark 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jesus once again told the disciples to go forth and preach the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to everybody. People who believed and were baptized would be saved! Believing the Word of God was still going to be a part of being saved in the coming Dispensation of Grace, but a new commandment was added: water baptism. Many people teach that baptism is just a good thing to do to prove our love for God, but Jesus taught it as essential for salvation! Jesus also went on to mention the signs of a true believer: power over demonic activity, speaking in tongues, lack of fear of mortality, and power over sickness. These signs will still accompany true belief in God’s word today! Some people have taken this scripture and twisted it by forcing people to handle snakes or drink deadly poison to “prove their faith.” This is a misinterpretation of the scripture. Divine protection is with us when we need it, but we should not tempt God (Matthew 4:7). Paul proved this scripture true by shaking a viper off in a fire and not being harmed (Acts 28:3). This scripture does not mean that Christians are immortal, but shows that complete obedience to God’s Word will bring visible results in our lives!

Luke 24:47-52 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

Luke records the words of Jesus at this time as telling His disciples to preach repentance and the remission of sins. We will see that the remission of sins is a reference to water baptism. Jesus then went on to give further instructions: they were not to preach the gospel or travel anywhere until they had returned to Jerusalem and received “power from on high.” The Dispensation of the Church was almost here! Jesus Christ then ascended into the clouds and the disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the promised “power.” Luke was also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles and gives us more details about the ascension:

Acts 1:3-8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 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. 8 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.

Here Jesus gives more information about this coming “power.” The disciples would be “baptized” with it shortly. This living water that Jesus had so often mentioned was about to come! Despite all of the teaching and forty days of seeing a resurrected Christ, the disciple still did not grasp that Jesus was not coming yet to set up an earthly kingdom. Jesus had to once again remind them that He was coming to set up a spiritual kingdom by the power that they would receive after the Holy Ghost came. Jesus then commanded once again that the disciples were to preach His commandments everywhere!

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

After Jesus ascended into the clouds out of sight, the disciples continued staring up into the sky. Two angels appeared unto them and asked them why they were still looking for Jesus? Jesus had come the first time to set up a spiritual kingdom, the present Dispensation of Grace and the Church. Jesus will one day come a second time and set up a physical kingdom, called the Millennial Reign. Realizing that they must now obey God’s Word, the disciples then returned to Jerusalem to tarry for the Holy Ghost power that Jesus had promised. Forty days had passed since the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and the ending of the dispensation of Law. The Dispensation of Grace was finally coming!