1946 Bible Studies - page 120

118

BIBLE STUDIES.

like that of the eleven at Pentecost, was from the same divine source from Him

unto Whom all authority has been given, in heaven and on earth.

As to the limitation of the kingdom message in Matthew 10. to " the lost sheep of the house of Israel, " the question may be raised, " Was Israel all the Lord had in His mind when He thus spoke at that time ? "  Surely not !  We suggest that the Lord’s mind was in harmony with what the purpose of God had in view when He began His dealings with the seed of Jacob, that through them as His covenant people blessing might extend throughout the whole world to all peoples.

In contrast to the sending forth of the twelve, the eleven apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel, not concerning a King, but concerning a

Saviour (Acts 5. 31),  One by the Jews rejected and crucified, but now raised again.

People of all nations are envisaged in Matthew 28 . 18-20, as being the subjects of divine grace, yet even here we learn from Luke 24. 47 that they must first begin at Jerusalem, the place of the Lord’s death (see also Acts 1. 8).

We marvel that Jerusalem was the first place to ring with the new message of life from the lips of His apostles.  Since those soul-stirring days, the utmost bounds of the earth have been brought within the scope of God’s gracious dealings.

God’s present purpose in His redeemed people is similar to that of a past dispensa-tion, that they in their generations should hold aloft the lamp of life so that others will be reached and blessed.

(R. Armstrong).

From Brantford, Ont. -- After listing the names of the twelve apostles, Matthew writes and says -- " These twelve Jesus sent forth. " These were sent with a special message to a specified group with certain limitations.

Their message had to do with the time then at hand, although in the instruc-tions given them there seems to be something far beyond their day and time.

Theirs was a message for Israel, direct from the Messiah, the Sent One from God, but their message was not received, and we know how Israel rejected the One who was their King and delivered Him up to be crucified.

However, the message of Matthew 28. is by far greater and much more precious to us to-day.  To His eleven disciples He speaks (on the further side of the Cross) and says, " All authority hath been given unto Me. " This gives greater weight and power to the words of this great commission.

Between the two commissions referred to a great and marvellous event had taken place.  He who sent the twelve forth in Matthew 10. had Himself fulfilled the work and mission which He came to perform, for He came not to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him.  The outcome of this work was the theme of the mission of the disciples of Matthew 28. 19.  It was the glorious gospel con-cerning our Lord Jesus Christ that was going to win the hearts of men from whom disciples were to be made.

This message given to disciples was for the making of disciples, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hence to us to-day the commission has not lost its importance, and is for us to carry on in the furtherance of the gospel.  There were many injunctions given to the twelve when the Lord sent them to the lost sheep of Israel that can be very encouraging to us, but when we compare the commission of Matthew 28. we have this more blessed portion, for He who has all authority says, " Lo, I am with you alway. "

J. J. Thomas.

Questions from Hamilton (Ontario). -- (1) Is the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1. 7, 8) the same ?

Answer (1) -- Bearing in mind that the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20. 24) is also called " the gospel of Christ " (1 Thessalonians 3. 2) as to its subject, so I would be disposed to think that the gospel of our Lord Jesus is the gospel of the kingdom. -- J. M.

(2) To whom do the words " he that endureth to the end shall be saved "

refer to, the preachers or the hearers ?

Answer (2). -- The words apply to all such as will come within the compass of the Lord’s exhortation, " Take heed that no man lead you astray " (Matthew 24. 4).  The " you " of these words signify those who have believed in Christ in that time to come, whether they be preachers or hearers. -- J. M.