Christian Living

THE TWO COMMISSIONS

by paul hoffmaster
12/17/18
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The Two Commissions

Jesus commissioned His Apostles to preach throughout Israel that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand.  They were ordered not to share with the Gentiles or those in the city of the Samaritans, but only to the “lost sheep of Israel.”  The commissioned Apostles were given power to heal the sick, cleanse the Lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons.  (Matthew 10:8)  At long last, the prayers of so many Jews would be fulfilled and God would reestablish the Kingdom of Israel.  Little did they realize that the Kingdom of Heaven was a spiritual, rather than a physical kingdom.  (Matthew 10:5-7)  To a large degree, more and more Believers today identify the Kingdom with physical things, rather than the spiritual.   They think it is what can be seen and experienced, instead of what can be received and achieved through Faith.

After the Resurrection, Jesus recommissioned the twelve to reach out beyond the Jewish community.  They were to preach, witness, teach, baptize, and make disciples throughout the world. (Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19, 20)   In the second commissioning, there were five evidences that would display their authority.  They were to cast out demons, speak with new tongues, take up servants, if they drank any deadly thing they would not be harmed, and finally, they were to lay hands on the sick. (Mark 16:17, 18)  It should be noted that two of the evidences of the Apostle’s authority was a duplicate of the first commissioning: healing and casting out demons.  The three other manifestations were unique to those of the second calling.  Speaking with new tongues was pertaining to speaking in the native languages of their “global” outreach. (Example, Acts 2:5-13)  Taking up serpents was the exposing of crafty, cunning, malicious hypocrites who opposed the teachings of Jesus.  (Reference Matthew 23:33, Luke 10:19, not Acts 28:3)  Finally, if they were poisoned or drank anything detrimental to their lives, they would not be hurt. (Mark 16:17, 18)

 I believe the ministry of those called in the second commissioning can be aligned with what I deem to be the five-fold ministry of a pastor today.  He is to preach (herald divine truth).   He is to be a living example of what he proclaims (witness).  He is to teach (instruct) from the Word.  He is to Baptize Believers in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and finally he is to make disciples.  Pastors need to present the Gospel with no apologies or hidden agendas.  They need to boldly speak the Word without compromise.  People desire to hear truth no matter what the personal cost of obedience would demand.  Pastors need to be a living example of what they preach.  If they are not living the Gospel outside the brick and mortar, how can they expect the people to live a Christ centered life?  The Pastor must be a teacher that instructs his followers how to apply Biblical Truths.  He does not just preach one sermon a week, and then leave his flock unattended the rest of the week.  He is a daily teacher to all who will listen.   Water baptism is not only a command of Jesus, but it is an outward expression of a newly changed heart.  Finally, the pastor is to make disciples of his people.  His members are to be pupils who move from Biblical knowledge to Biblical action.  They are trained to be extensions of Jesus.  There are many other areas in which Pastors need to involve themselves, but I believe these five are the basics.

Note: Believers must always be aware of which Scriptures can or cannot be applied to our everyday lives.  Any application must be Holy Spirit directed or Christians may make assumptions that lead to deception or discouragement.