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THE KING’S BUSINESS
“ All power" (i. e. in the original, authority to command, ability to execute, right and rule to administer) “ is given unto me” (He speaks as the Son of man receiving au thority for man from the seat of all right (Dan. 7 :13, 15) “in heaven and in earth.’’ Thus He affirms authority to send them, power to protect them, right "to invite and demand the allegiance and obedience of all men. 4. His Mandate. (1) “ Go,” Asked whether he thought it expedient to evan gelize India, the Duke o f Wellington de manded, “What are your marching orders?” (1) “ Teach” ( “Make disciples of,”—R. V .). “all nations" all, no exceptions. En roll them all in the school of Christ. (2) “Baptizing them." Baptism is in the specifications of the Commission. It is com manded. Disciples are to confess, declare and separate themselves by this sign; which then must be capable of application co-ex- tensive with the commission, from torrid to frigid zone. “Into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (R. V .). One Name and three Persons. There is no baptism but trinitarian. What is the “ name" of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? G od . The Unitarians have no missions (practically) because they have no com mission. The only baptism that has been with power, as it is the only true and au thorized baptism, is and has been in that triune Name. (3) “ Teaching them." Christianity is fact and truth, somewhat to be taught. Therefore “proofs” and testimony were re quired. These are not in the missionary vocabulary of “ the modern theology” ( ? ). There is something to do—but on what ground, or to what adequate end, or by “what name ?” That theology does not, can not tell. The early Church taught, cate chized its converts from the nations in the very doctrines “the modern theology” de nies or at least questions and ignores. "To observe all things whatsoever I have com manded you." This teaching has been done very widely. The nations have been slow to observe the instructions. The “ Chris-
2. Qualifying the Witnesses. For the above reasons Jesus (1) “showed himself alive . . . by many infallible proofs’’ (Acts 1 :1, 2). At least eleven times He “showed" Himself, inviting inspection, eating and drinicing, demonstrating to individuals, couples and larger groups, in divers cir cumstances, that He was bodily alive again. (2) These showings were distributed through 40 days, at unlooked for times and places, to assure them of His being “al- way” with them though unseen; (3) and included the draught of elect fishes (John 21:6, 11) to show the messengers that their mission should be successful but through Him alone. (4) He bestowed the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) that they might be quali fied morally, mentally, and spiritually, to convince men of their credibility, their un derstanding, and their experience of the “power of His resurrection.” II. T he G reat C ommission . 1. The Appointment in Galilee. Before crucifixion Jesus said, “ Behold, I go before you into Galilee” (Matt. 26:31, 32). In what a matter-of-fact manner He said it al though the way was through the grave. When He rose He sent them word to meet Him there (Matt. 2 8 :7 ); and leaves us word to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:17). Good hope! He keeps His appoint ments. He’ll be there. “ Shall you? shall I?” 2. Some Doubters. Among the disciples "some doubted." They were not of the eleven who were already convinced. Others must have been present, probably the 500 (1 Cor. 15:6). That some doubted does not weaken but strengthens the testimony by (1) the frank honesty of the admission, and (2) the fact that the doubters were not credulous but cautious yet (3) were com pelled and convinced by investigation and became well known witnesses (1 Cor. 15:6). Doubters in your assembly may become be lievers. Doubt is weakness. It paralyzes. But becomes an occasion of strength when it says, “Whereas I was blind n ow 'I see.” 3. Jesiis’ Authority. He said to them,
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