Jesus took this further when He asked the Sadducee's (whom as a sect do not believe in the resurrection) -- "Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" (Mark 12:24) Thus, if we understand the message Jesus is conveying to the Sadducees herein, we will come to know that when we know the scriptures -- the Word as it is written -- we will also come to experience the power of the living God, and how He works in our lives.
But sadly, too many, as Jesus pointed out, compromise in their faith, settling for doctrines the commandments of men. Specifically, Jesus said, "Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mark 7:7) We settle for the modern day religious traditions and institution gratifying sacraments (idol worship) rather than the scriptures which give instruction in righteousness.
Nevertheless, as Jesus conveyed to the eleven disciples in the same mountain where Jesus had appointed them to teach, He instructs "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." (Matthew 28:20)
In this same passage of scripture, "all power is given unto Jesus in heaven and in earth." In fact, here was Jesus, just prior to ascending saying to the eleven to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded them.
And because God is not the author of confusion, He clarifies this very same instruction from Matthew a second time in Mark so that we are not deceived or led astray by the whims of those who pretend to know the scriptures but do not.
From Mark 16:15-18: Jesus said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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." (Mark 16:15-18)
In whose name? In My Name -- said Jesus! This same Jesus who said, "Before Abraham was, I AM."
In that same scriptural account from Mark, we see that after the Lord had spoken to the eleven, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God" -- until all His enemies are put under His feet. From there, they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. (Mark 16:19-20)
Acts 1 continues forward from Mark stating:
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:1-5)
But before He ascends, note what Jesus says to the eleven, "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 Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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." (Acts 1:8-11)
In this same passage of scripture, "all power is given unto Jesus in heaven and in earth." In fact, here was Jesus, just prior to ascending saying to the eleven to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded them.
And because God is not the author of confusion, He clarifies this very same instruction from Matthew a second time in Mark so that we are not deceived or led astray by the whims of those who pretend to know the scriptures but do not.
From Mark 16:15-18: Jesus said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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." (Mark 16:15-18)
In whose name? In My Name -- said Jesus! This same Jesus who said, "Before Abraham was, I AM."
In that same scriptural account from Mark, we see that after the Lord had spoken to the eleven, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God" -- until all His enemies are put under His feet. From there, they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. (Mark 16:19-20)
Acts 1 continues forward from Mark stating:
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:1-5)
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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." (Acts 1:8-11)
Moving forward, we see a twelfth apostle chosen (Matthias) to replace Judas who had betrayed Jesus in the Garden. (Acts 1:23-26) When the 120 disciples in the upper room prayed in one accord, and said, "Thou Lord, which knows the hearts of all [men] shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26)
You see, the early church did not worship a triad, three-headed triune g/God but the One and Only Living God who willingly became our Saviour -- His Name JESUS in this current dispensation of grace -- loving us enough to shed His precious, holy blood on a cross for our sins. (Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 5:19; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:10-11) He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. This is why who believe in Jesus by faith desire also to be water baptized in His precious, holy Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21) But I digress.
As Peter points out, Judas had been numbered with them, and had (according to scripture) obtained part of this ministry -- the Word made flesh that dwelt among us. But rather than continuing in the faith, Judas (as prophesied from afore) decided in his heart to settle for the trinkets of this world. To compromise. Indeed, in the end, Judas valued the thirty pieces of silver more than knowing the risen King of kings and Lord of lords personally. And the consequences of his decision to betray Jesus? To this very day his decision known by those both near and far.
"Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry." (Acts 1:15-17)
The lesson herein? Stay true to the Word, as it is written. Know that when Peter standing with the apostles on the day of Pentecost told those in attendance that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ, we are to be pricked in our heart also and to repent, being water baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that we too shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the risen Lord Jesus dwelling within. (Acts 2:36-41)
And when we become clothed in His righteousness, we too will continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread from house to house and in prayers, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and dealing our meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising our Lord God and Saviour always.
There is more to come but the message -- don't compromise your faith. Press toward the mark which is Christ dwelling within, and He will be faithful to you in all things.
Stand in the offering plate.
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