THE apostles' COMMISSION.
Matt, xxviii. 18 — 20. And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
THE Apostles spoke and wrote in a most autho- ritative manner. They issued commands, promises, and threats, in the name of God. We therefore naturally inquire, by what authority they acted. The passage before us gives a most satisfactory account.
In unfolding to you these words of our Lord, we will consider,
I. The commission which he gave to his Apostles —
This commission was very plain and express —
[Jesus, as God, possessed all power equally with the Father ; but, as Mediator, he received his power from the Father. He received it, partly, that by means of it he might execute his mediatorial office^; and, partly, as a reward for executing it^. This power extended over heaven and earth. Less than this would not have sufficed for the ends for which it was given ; but by this he is enabled to overrule every thing for the accomplishment of his own purpose. Nor is it at all diminished by the lapse of ages. It shall indeed cease to act at the last day*^: there will not then be any occasion for the exercise of it. But till all the members of the Church be glorified, Jesus will exert this power for their good ; and his authority will be the hope and consolation of them all.
It was upon this that he founded the commission he gave to his Apostles. He had formerly sent them to instruct the Jews; he now extends their commission to the Gentiles.
They were to teach all nations. As they were to baptize men in the name of the sacred Three, no doubt they were first to make known the persons and offices of the holy Trinity. They were to declare " the Father, as our offended, but re- conciled, God and Father ; they were to make known " the Son," as the sinner's advocate and propitiation ; they were to
a John xvii. 2. ^ Phil. ii. 8—11. « 1 Cor. xv. 28.