The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

commanded his Apostles to make disciples through preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus of Nazareth as Savior and Lord, with baptism and obedience as confirming emblems of its reception (2 Tim. 4.2; Matt. 28.20). This proclamation would be accompanied with signs and wonders confirming his Word (Heb. 2.2-4; Mark 16.17-18) and good works which testify of the power of its declaration (Acts 9.36; Gal. 6.9-10; Eph. 2.10). What are the contents of the message to be given through the commission? This message is to concentrate on God’s love and mercy shown in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and include the historical events of his life, especially his death on the cross (1 Cor. 15.3; Col. 2.14-15). It is to also include testimony regarding his resurrection from the dead, his ascension to the Father (Luke 24.46-48; Rom. 4.25; 1 Cor. 15.3-4; Eph.1.20-23), and the hope of his second appearing (Acts 3.19-21). As shown from a careful study of the texts surrounding the commission, it is God’s love in Jesus Christ demonstrated in his death and resurrection (2 Cor. 5.14-21) that serves as the controlling power and sustaining motive for making disciples worldwide. It is founded, however, on the absolute authority of the risen Messiah himself, who both as the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2.8) and the Author of life (Acts 3.15) commands his followers to make disciples. Because he possesses all authority and power in heaven and earth, our risen Lord can anticipate, acknowledge, and answer every conceivable contingency in the world that might seek to dissuade him from his task. Nothing can stop his own from this commission, for all authority belongs to him, and him alone (Matt. 28.18-19). This commission itself is patterned on the Messiah’s own faithful service to his Father, and his own obedient fulfillment of his Father’s commission (John 20.21 [RSV] Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you”). Our Lord went about doing good, releasing men and women from the power of the evil one (Acts 10.38). He proclaimed the message of the Kingdom of God and his salvation, and declared his mission to come and seek and save the lost (Mark 10.45; Luke 19.10). In the same way our Lord, as Messiah and Servant of the Lord, preached the good news of God’s in-breaking Kingdom (Matt. 4.23), so his disciples are now commissioned to go into the world and declare Jesus as Lord, the risen Savior and Messiah of God (Acts 4.2).