The Limited Commission

Matthew 10:5-6: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

In the foregoing Jesus circumscribed the preaching of the apostles. They were not allowed to preach to the Gentiles nor to the Samaritans. They were commanded to preach to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” only. For this reason, this is called “the Limited Commission.”

After His resurrection Jesus gave what is called “the Great Commission,” the World-Wide Commission, the Last Commission to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20: “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 commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Mark 16:15-16: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Luke 24:46-49: “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

From these three records of the Great Commission, it is learned that the following items are mentioned: (1) Preaching; (2) Believing; (3) Repentance; (4) Baptism; (5) Salvation (the forgiveness of sins).

There has been much disputing as to the orders in which these items should come: i.e., do people “believe” before they “repent,” or does “repentance” come before “faith?” Does salvation come before baptism, or must one be baptized to be saved?

With all the disputing about the order in which the acts must come, there is agreement that the Commission mentioned Preaching, Repentance, Baptism, and Salvation (the forgiveness of sins).

The Great Commission Was Executed

The apostles began work under this commission on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. They were guided by the Holy Spirit in their work. The history of their preaching and the obedience rendered to their preaching is recorded in the book of Acts. The record as found in this book will certainly give us the Divine interpretation of the Great Commission. Notice the conversions mentioned in the following passages, just what occurred, and you will find that it is in perfect harmony with the Commission. Also, it will be learned in what order the items mentioned came.

Acts 2:14-38: (1) Preaching, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism, (4) Remission of Sins.
Acts 8:5-12: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism.
Acts 8:26-38: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism.
Acts 10 and Acts 11: (1) Preaching, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism.
Acts 16:14-15: (1) Preaching, (2) Baptism.
Acts 16:25-33: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism.
Acts 18:8: (1) Hearing, (2) Believed, (3) Baptism.
Acts 19:1-5: (1) Preaching, (2) Believing, (3) Baptism.
Acts 22:12-16: (1) Preaching, (2) Baptism, (3) Wash Away Sins.

– Adapted from C.R. Nichol’s Pocket Bible Encyclopedia