The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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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

7. How does Jesus’ three-fold question to Peter (i.e., “Do you love me?”) help us understand the nature of Christian leadership in the world today?

The Messiah Vindicated

Segment 2:

The Great Commission, the Promise of the Spirit, and the Ascension to the Father

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

The Great Commission is a token of Jesus’ authority as the risen Lord and Messiah, relating both to the fulfillment of prophecy as well as to global mission. In the forty day period after his resurrection, Jesus demonstrates conclusively his risen life to the Apostles, repeats the commission to world evangelization, and promises to send them the Holy Spirit to fulfill it. The ascension of Christ is the final historical sign which vindicates Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of God. Our objective for this segment, The Great Commission, the Promise of the Holy Spirit, and the Ascension to the Father , is to enable you to see that: • The Great Commission is an expression of the authority of the risen Lord Jesus, a token of his continuing vindication of his identity as Messiah, relating both to the fulfillment of prophecy as well as to global mission. • Jesus validated his resurrection objectively to the Apostles conclusively in the forty-day period after his resurrection. • During this period, Jesus repeats his commission to the Apostles to evangelize the world, and promises to send them the Holy Spirit to fulfill his commission to go and make disciples worldwide. • The ascension of Christ is the final historical sign which vindicates Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of God.

Summary of Segment 2

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