Bible Questions Answered:
“...is this a bible discrepancy, the
great commission in John 20:21 and Acts 1:8 are not the same?...”
Kenneth/ Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Texts:
There are no less than 5 Great
Commissions in our New Testament, listed here:
1. John 20:21 KJV
Then said Jesus to them again,
Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even
so send I you.
Location And Time:
In the upper room, at Easter Sunday, 10
disciples were present (Thomas missing).
Commission:
Sent personally by The Lord.
2. Mark 16:15,17,18 KJV
15 And He said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
17 And these signs shall follow them
that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;
18 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. (See the link: Kept By The Power Of God )
Location And Time:
In the upper room, 11 disciples
present.
Commission:
Go everywhere, be faithful in message
and God will protect you.
3. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
18 And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father, and of The Son,
and of 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.
Location And Time:
A week later, on a Galilean mountain.
Commission:
Making disciples of all nations and
peoples, baptizing and teaching them The Word, and God Himself will
be with you.
4. Luke 24:46-49 KJV
46 And said unto them, Thus it is
written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission
of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these
things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise
of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with Power from on high.
Location And
Time:
In Jerusalem, some 40 days before Christ's ascension.
Commission:
God not only calls you, He will also empowers you.
5. Acts 1:8 KJV
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 Judaea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Location And Time:
Later Jesus
brought His disciples to the Mount of Olives (Just before He ascended
into heaven).
Commission:
God promises His
people, they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and
unto the ends of the earth.
These verses show that what may seem as
contradictions, are actually progressive revelations,
of the great commission.
1.God personally sends us.
John 20:21 KJV
Then said Jesus
to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even
so send I you.
2. God protects us.
Mark 16:15-18 KJV
15 And He said unto them, Go ye into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them
that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;
18 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.
3. God gives us His presence.
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
18 And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father, and of The Son,
and of 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.
4. God gives us His Power.
Luke 24:46-49 KJV
46 And said unto them, Thus it is
written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission
of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these
things.
49 And, behold, I send The Promise
of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with Power from on high.
5. God gives us His promise.
Acts 1:8 KJV
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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Matthew 9:37,38 KJV
37 Then saith He unto His disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore The Lord Of The
Harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.
John 20:21 KJV
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace
be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.
