Matthew 28:16-20

Mat 28:16 (KJB)
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

(John 20:19 KJV) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Jesus had met with the disciples the same night after His resurrection and was after this meeting then the eleven disciples had gone away into Galilee. The location or name of this mountain is unknown but the disciples knew of the location although some think it may be Mount Tabor. Jesus wanted to meet with them and to give them their commission in Galilee where He started His ministry and where they will start theirs. This may have been only one of the many appearances which Jesus made that Matthew did not record.

Mat 28:17 (KJB)
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Then the disciples met with Jesus and when they saw Him they had worshipped Him. Here is a very interesting problem. This is at least the second time they saw Him and yet some doubted. The word “doubt” in the Greek carries with it the meaning of “waver or hesitate.” It puzzles me that here was the risen Lord standing directly in front of them and yet some of them had doubted. What did they expect to happen? If His resurrection was not sufficient enough for them to believe, then what is? It shows how badly sin has blinded the hearts of all people on earth to the point they were standing with Jesus and yet there was still doubt.

Mat 28:18 (KJB)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Then before Jesus gives them their commission, He first assures them of His power and authority. He tells them the all power, that is, authority, has been given unto Him in both Heaven and on earth. This is why when the disciples do something for the Kingdom of God on earth, they will have the full backing of Heaven. Jesus has the authority to give eternal life: (John 10:28 KJV) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.: He has the authority to Judge: (John 5:22 KJV) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:: He has the authority to cast into Hell: (Mat 7:23 KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The authority of Jesus is full and not lacking in anything.

Mat 28:19 (KJB)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Since Jesus has full authority for every situation on earth, the disciples now receive their commission as well as the commission for every single true born again Christian, that we are to go into every nation in the world and teach. The word “teach” in this verse carries with it the meaning of “make disciples” and once a person becomes saved and is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, then they are to be baptized in water as an outward manifestation of what has happened inwardly. They are to be baptized in the full name of the trinity. Making disciples of people does not mean just seeing them become saved and then moving on, it means spending time with them and seeing them grow in the faith until such a time that they can go out and make disciples. Each generation must prepare the next generation. We do that by passing on the teachings of the Scriptures to new believers so they may grow in the faith as we did. (Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Not only do we train up a small child to be obedient but we train a new believer properly and as they grow they begin to place biblical principles into their lives and when they are old and in the faith for many years, they will not lose their zeal for the Lord as so many have because they were improperly trained. With the internet, Christianity is now in every country in the world and now it is question of reaching all the Elect in each country.

Mat 28:20 (KJB)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Observe - Guard, watch carefully, keep, and obey

Christians all over the world are not just to be taught in a shallow manner but the truths they learn from studying the Scriptures must be kept by them to the point that they are part of their life and can never be separated. We are to study and hold onto all the commands which the Lord Jesus Christ gave us not only in His earthly teachings, but also what He will give to those who will complete the Bible such as Jude or Paul. Then Jesus assures the disciples and all the believers through the ages that He will be with us alway. The word “alway” is a combination of “all” and “way.” It originally meant all the way or the whole way. Jesus is telling the disciples and us that He will be with us for the entire time we are on earth and all the way even until the end of the world when He burns up this world and remakes it into a New Heaven and New Earth. Until that time, we have the promise of Jesus that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Heb 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Therefore we continue on until our home going or until the Lord returns going through every country with the Gospel and then cometh the End.

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