The Three Commissions.

This Is Appendix 167 From The Companion Bible.

It will be seen from Appendix 166 that there were three separate

Commissions given to the Eleven Apostles, at different times, on

distinctly specified occasions and in varying words.

The first is recorded in Luke 24:47. This was given in Jerusalem

on the evening of the day of the resurrection. It was given, not to the

Eleven only, but also to "them that were with them." (verse 33). The

commission was the continuation of His own ministry and that of

John the Baptist (Matthew 22:1 - 10). They were all to proclaim

"repentance and remission of sins". The New Covenant had been

made, in virtue of which this message of pardon could be declared.

(Matthew 26:26 - 29. Mark 14:22 - 25. Luke 22:14 - 23. Acts 3:19),

first in Jerusalem, and then to all nations. This was done by Peter

(Acts 2:38; 3:19, etc.).

The second is recorded in Mark 16:15 - 18, and was given when

the Lord appeared to the Eleven as they sat at meat; and it was

carried out by "them that heard Him", as foretold in Matthew 22:4-

7, and fulfilled in Mark 16:20, as confirmed in Hebrews 2:3, 4. The

Acts of the Apostles is the inspired history of the fulfillment of this

commission, so far as it is necessary for our instruction. It was given

for the personal ministry of the Apostles, to be fulfilled by them

before the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem.

The third is recorded in Matthew 28:19, 20, and was given on a

mountain in Galilee (Appendix 169). It was the proclamation of the

King, Who had left Jerusalem, according to the Parable (Luke

19:12), until He returns in power to set up His kingdom (26:64). It is

the summons to the Gentile nations to submit to the Lord Jesus, as

the king of Israel, according to Psalm 2:10 - 12. It is the

proclamation of "the Gospel of the Kingdom" (Appendix 140. II)

for a witness to all nations, immediately before the end of the age

(Matthew 24:14. Revelation 14:6). It is still wholly future in its

application, and proclaims the judgment on the Gentiles for the final

deliverance of Israel, according to Psalm 2:9, when verse 6 shall be

fulfilled.