Commands of Jesus for His Apostles

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Introduction:

Jesus’ commands to His apostles were deeply rooted in the priorities of the Kingdom of God. He instructed them to seek the Kingdom first, preach its message, and live by its values. This article explores the key commands Jesus gave to His apostles, emphasizing how each directive was designed to advance God’s Kingdom on earth. By understanding and applying these Kingdom-oriented commands, we can align our lives and missions with the ultimate purpose of glorifying God and spreading His reign.

Commands of Jesus for His Apostles: Kingdom Priorities

1. Seek First the Kingdom of God

• Explanation: Jesus instructed His apostles to prioritize the Kingdom of God above all else, ensuring their lives and missions were aligned with God’s purposes.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 6:33 (ESV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
  • Luke 12:31 (ESV): “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
  • Matthew 6:10 (ESV): “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

2. Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom

• Explanation: Jesus commanded His apostles to spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God to all nations.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  • Mark 16:15 (ESV): “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'”
  • Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

3. Demonstrate Kingdom Love

• Explanation: Jesus emphasized the importance of love among His followers as a testament to their discipleship and a reflection of the Kingdom’s values.
• Verse References:
  • John 13:34-35 (ESV): “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  • John 15:12 (ESV): “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
  • John 15:17 (ESV): “These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

4. Make Disciples of the Kingdom

• Explanation: Jesus instructed His apostles to not only preach the Gospel but also to make disciples, teaching them to follow His commands and live Kingdom-centered lives.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  • 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
  • Matthew 10:7-8 (ESV): “And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”

5. Baptize Believers into the Kingdom

• Explanation: Jesus commanded His apostles to baptize new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, welcoming them into the Kingdom of God.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 28:19 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 2:38 (ESV): “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
  • Acts 22:16 (ESV): “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

6. Teach Kingdom Obedience

• Explanation: The apostles were to instruct new believers to observe and follow all of Jesus’ teachings, living in obedience to the Kingdom’s values.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 28:20 (ESV): “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  • John 14:15 (ESV): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
  • John 14:23 (ESV): “Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'”

7. Be Witnesses of the Kingdom to the Ends of the Earth

• Explanation: Jesus charged His apostles to be His witnesses, sharing their testimony of His life, death, and resurrection globally, advancing the Kingdom of God.
• Verse References:
  • Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
  • Luke 24:48 (ESV): “You are witnesses of these things.”
  • John 15:27 (ESV): “And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

8. Depend on the Holy Spirit for Kingdom Power

• Explanation: Jesus instructed His apostles to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and the ability to carry out their Kingdom mission.
• Verse References:
  • John 14:26 (ESV): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
  • Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
  • Romans 8:14 (ESV): “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

9. Forgive as a Reflection of Kingdom Grace

• Explanation: Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiveness, commanding His apostles to forgive those who wrong them as a demonstration of Kingdom grace.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV): “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
  • Luke 17:3-4 (ESV): “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
  • John 20:23 (ESV): “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

10. Serve Others with Kingdom Humility

• Explanation: Jesus taught His apostles to serve each other and others, following His example of humility and service, reflecting the values of the Kingdom.
• Verse References:
  • John 13:14-15 (ESV): “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
  • Mark 10:44-45 (ESV): “And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
  • Galatians 5:13 (ESV): “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

11. Pray and Fast for Kingdom Advancement

• Explanation: Jesus instructed His apostles to be diligent in prayer and fasting, seeking God’s will and strength to advance the Kingdom of God.
• Verse References:
  • Matthew 6:5-6 (ESV): “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
  • Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV): “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
  • Luke 18:1 (ESV): “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

By focusing on these Kingdom-oriented commands, the apostles were equipped to fulfill their mission of spreading the Gospel, nurturing the early church, and living out the teachings of Jesus in a manner that advances the Kingdom of God.