The book of Acts, written by Luke, tells us the final command Jesus left with His disciples before He ascended into heaven. These words have become known as the Great Commission: Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Acts 1: 8
The first order of business for the disciples was to choose a new member to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. They chose a man named Matthias. Acts 1
On the day of Pentecost, as the twelve sat together in one accord, a mighty wind arose in the room and there appeared to them a power as cloven tongues, like fire, and it fell on each one of them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. They “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2: 4
Jews from every nation under heaven were living in Jerusalem at that time, and through the disciples each person heard the words of God spoken to them in their own language. They were amazed at this miracle, though some scoffed and insisted these men must be full of new wine. Peter stood up and insured them that the miracle came from the one they had crucified, Jesus had sent this miracle to them so that all could hear and understand His message of grace and salvation through faith in Him…by believing that He was truly the Son of God, sent not to condemn the world but to save us all from the power of sin.
Three thousand souls were saved that day and added to the church. Being so solid in their faith, they began to sell everything they owned and moved into the temple with the disciples. Soon, the leader of the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection from the dead, had enough and demanded that the disciples be put in jail. More than once, they were arrested, beaten, and threatened, but the Lord did not permit them to be held and each time prepared for their escape.
Unable to hold the disciples… and seeing it was not in their best interest to try, the city decided to arrest the people. One man named Saul was more than happy to enter homes and arrest anyone who professed to believe. This havoc caused the people to scatter into other areas. As they settled in other cities, they shared the news of their faith and all they had seen and heard, and many others were added to the church.
In Acts: 8, we find out that, up until this time, the only ones upon which the Holy Ghost had fallen were the twelve disciples. Others, such as Philip, went down to Samaria and preached to the people. Many were saved and baptized in the name of Jesus. When word got back to Jerusalem that the city of Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to lay hands on the people and pray for them to receive the Holy Ghost.
In chapter 10 Peter has a vision and a voice that said to hm, “What God has cleansed, that call not common.” While Peter was trying to figure out the meaning of these words, he was visited by three men who told him of a man named Cornelius who wished to see him. It turns out this man had also had a vision at the same time and was told to send for Peter. Then Peter knew the meaning of the words he had heard and said, “Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons…in every nation he that fears Him and works righteousness, is accepted with Him…He is Lord of all.”
While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all who were present…the Gentiles as well as the Jews. When the believers back in Jerusalem heard this news from Peter, they glorified God saying: Then hath God also granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life. Acts 11: 18
Today, anyone who hears the Word of God and chooses to believe is accepted into the family of God… and receives the Holy Spirit through the gift of faith. Romans 10: 13 For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
It then is our responsibility to share that word with those who need to hear it. The great commission, like the Holy Ghost, is for everyone… “Whosoever surely meaneth ME.” Amen