The Great Commission to the Church: Part 1 of 2

Preview: In order to achieve salvation we must spread the Word. This is the first part of a two-part lesson on this subject.


Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-20.

Memory Verse: Acts 1:8.

1. Discuss the commission that Jesus gave His followers in the foregoing Scriptures. How did they respond?
2. What else did they need besides the Word? Luke 24:36, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:4-5.
Note: Jesus had taught them for three and a half years from the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Songs of David. He wanted them to tell it to all nations, because it spoke of His coming to redeem men from sin and bring them into His Spiritual and literal Kingdom. He knew that they could not fully understand it themselves without power from on high. This power came through God’s Holy Spirit.
3. Were they obedient to His commission? Explain. Acts 1:10-14.
4. How was this promise fulfilled? Acts 2:1-4.
5. Had Jesus told His disciples earlier that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach them? Discuss. John 14:23-26, John 15:26-27, John 16:7-14.
Note: The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The Holy Spirit gives it life or revelation. (Romans 1:16-17, I Corinthians 2:11-12.)
6. Who witnessed the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:5-12.
7. Did the Holy Spirit reveal to Peter that the prophecy of Joel was beginning to be fulfilled? Explain how. Acts 2:13-18, Joel 2:28-32.
8. What was the message that the Holy Spirit preached through Peter? Acts 2:22-36.
Note: Just as Jesus had promised in Luke 24 the Holy Spirit opened up Peter’s understanding of prophecy and enlightened those who heard him. Psalm 110:1 was made clear.
9. How did they react? Acts 2:37.
10. What was Peter’s answer? Acts 2:38-40.
11. What were the results? Acts 2:41-47.
Note: The Jews who were in Jerusalem that day already had the writings of Moses, David, and the prophets. Their ancestors had been of the firstborn of the Church in the Wilderness- Exodus 4:22 and Hebrews 12:20-23, but, until Jesus redeemed it with His own precious Blood (Acts 20:28) and God sent the Holy Spirit of Truth, they were unable to recognize who Jesus was. The same is true today; we also must have the Word, and the Holy Spirit, before we can know Him.

To Be Continued…

Other Lessons* in this series:

The Great Commission to the Church: Part 1 of 2
The Great Commission to the Church: Part 2 of 2

*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.