INTRO: Today, we are examining the third (# 3), of five critical issues contained in the Great Commission. The third critical issue is: “recognizing that the Great Commission was designed to be “a blessing to the Gentiles” as a result of their positive attitude & response to the gospel of the kingdom. And the apostles will teach the Gentiles to be submissive to Israel and her program, according to the abrahamic covenant.
We have already examined Critical issue # 1: recognizing that the gospel to be proclaimed by Christ’s apostles during the Great Commission, was still to be the gospel of the Kingdom. This gospel, and the Great Commission has been put in abeyance, postponed, put on hold, by God today during the dispensation of Gentile grace. Which brought us to our second critical issue.
Critical issue #2: We examined The time frame in which the Great Commission, and the gospel of the Kingdom will take place and resume, is the Day of the Lord’s Wrath, the Last Days of the nation of Israel’s program. Beginning in Acts chps. 1 – 8; including Daniel’s time schedule of those last seven years that will be the Day of the Lord’s Wrath, in the ages to come.
Matt. 28:19-20: Jesus told the apostles to: (19) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost: (20) teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Remember, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His apostles following His resurrection and before he ascended into heaven. This marks the 40 day Period Of time that Acts 1, describes in which He is showing Himself alive by many infallible proofs and commanding them through the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28, like Acts chapter one, is also near the end, with emphasis on the last days of Israel’s program. Jesus commanded His apostles “Go you therefore, and teach all nations.” This is more than making men disciples. More than getting men justified and saved from wrath to come. Teach Them!!
It is the issue of teaching them. Bringing them in line with Israel’s Kingdom program. Jesus was concerned about more than getting men justified. He was concerned about teaching them to be disciples, edification, spiritual education, getting them established.
This aspect of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20), makes it crystal clear that the Gentiles are to be taught to be submissive to Israel’s program. The apostles would teach the nations to observe all things, baptizing them, the prescription for cleansing is still in place in order to be purified for the entrance into the Kingdom. That is why Jesus instructs the apostles to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Israel’s program required water baptism for uncleanness, defilement, pollution of sin. The law contract required water baptism for cleansing, purification, identification. Here is where the rubber meets the road folks: when we understand that water baptism was required in israel’s program, under the law, we won’t try to bring water baptism into the dispensation oh grace. Amen. When Israel goes out and makes the disciples of all Gentile nations, they will baptize them in the name of the father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Notice: the apostles had the Kingdom heaven in view. Once the Kingdom is established they are to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and teach all nations to be submissive to the nation of Israel, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
But why? Because the Gentiles were unclean by nature, they never knew God, they were without Christ, aliens, strangers, having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). The Gentiles never worshipped the truth and living God. Therefore, God required the Gentiles to recognize & acknowledge the Godhead, & be baptized in the name of the “Trinity” the “God Head.,” Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.
Israel understood the God Head concept. That’s why Peter told Israel in Acts 2:38 to “Repent” (change your minds) and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.”
- Well, what’s the difference? The religious system is arguing over water baptism all the time. Matt. 28:19-20; Jesus has the Gentiles in the established Kingdom in view, in the ages to come.
Acts 2:38; Christ was Israel’s Redeemer, but (John 1:11) says: “he came unto his own & his own (Israel) received him not, matter of fact, “with wicked hands they slew Him on the cross.” That is why Peter said “Repent” and be baptized -Identified in Jesus your Messiah, your Saviors name.
This is what happens when you don’t rightly divide the word of truth. Nothing is clearer in these lessons, than the fact that we must utilize the key of right division to unlock the truth. Preachers ,denominations, the religious system, arguing over water baptism right now, and whether to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost or, in Jesus name only.
Jesus wasn’t talking to you! In Matthew 28, Jesus is teaching that the Gentiles will observe the law in the Kingdom, that includes His prescription for cleansing, water baptism. This is israel’s program and it will be fulfilled in the Day of the Lord’s Wrath. We won’t be here! We are not under the law we are under grace that’s why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:17; “for Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Romans 6:14 : “for sin shall not have dominion (mastership) over you: for you are not under the law, but under the grace.
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father Even so we also should walk in the newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Conclusion.
P.S I HAVE MAILED OUT A COPY FOR EACH HOUSEHOLD OF Keith Blades book:
“HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT HEAVEN IS LIKE?
This booklet is a brief examination of how God expects us to understand what his heaven is like. In it and we will look at some of the fundamental issues set forth in the Bible about heaven, from which we are able to possess a measure of understanding about its appearance environment and activities. The key to understanding what God’s heaven is like is found in what he says about his plan and purpose for the earth. Yes, the earth. As surprising as it may sound, the earth is modeled after God’s abode in the 3rd heaven. To understand and appreciate what God’s heaven is like we need to understand and appreciate with God says about the earth.
Colman J. Gilliland 