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THE APOSTLES’ COMMISSION
THE Apostles spoke and wrote in a most authoritative 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 yon 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; hut, as Mediator, he received his power from the Father. He received it, partly, that by means of it he might execute his mediatorial office [Note: Joh_17:2.]; and, partly, as a reward for executing it [Note: Php_2:8-11.]. 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 [Note: 1Co_15:28.]; 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 reconciled, God and Father; they were to make known “the Son,” as the sinner’s advocate and propitiation; they were to set forth “the Holy Ghost,” as the enlightener, comforter, and sanctifier of God’s elect.
They were to baptize their converts in the name of the sacred Three. Having proselyted men to the Christian faith, they were to initiate them into covenant with God by baptism. But though they first taught adults, and then baptized them, they reversed this order with respect to infants. They took care, however, that in all cases the doctrine they preached should be recorded in the baptismal rite; and that every Christian should either expressly or virtually acknowledge it.
They were also to instruct their hearers in practical religion. It is evident they were not to be merely moral preachers. They must of necessity insist much on the offices of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; but they were also to inculcate every moral duty, and to enforce every obligation, whether toward God or man.]
II. This commission being so arduous, he added a promise for their encouragement—
[The Apostles might well have been discouraged from attempting to execute so difficult a service. They were, in themselves, poor, mean, and illiterate: they had to propagate principles new, strange, detested: they had to oppose the lusts and prejudices of mankind: they bad to bring men from sin to a life of holiness and self-denial; and this, not only without human aid, but in opposition to all the power and policy of the world. They could not therefore but feel themselves unfit for such a task: but our Lord gave them a most encouraging promise. When Moses declined the service to which he was called, God promised to be with him [Note: Exo_4:15.]: thus Christ engaged to succour his Disciples in their work. He assured them of his presence to direct, assist, and uphold them; and to give effect to their labours. To this promise he called their particular attention, “lo!” nor will he fail to accomplish it to the end of the world. Nor was the affirmation added to it without, peculiar energy. “Amen” may be considered as an affirmation or a petition: in either view it should not be overlooked. The promise it confirms, was the solace of all the Apostles; and has been the support of all succeeding pastors. Let every one then add “Amen,” as importing both his wish and affiance.]
Let us now mark,
III. The bearing which this commission has on us at the present day—
The Apostles were inspired of God to declare what no uninspired man could know; and were empowered by God to work miracles in confirmation of their word. In these respects ministers of the present day cannot for a moment be considered as on a par with them. But, so far as regards the message which we are to deliver,
We have the very same commission with them—
[The Lord Jesus Christ has had, in uninterrupted succession, servants to make known his name to all the different generations from the apostolic age to the present day: and all who have been called by him to the work of the ministry, have had the same message to deliver [Note: 2Co_5:18-20.] — — — In particular, we are to make known the offices of the sacred Three in the economy of redemption; setting forth the Father as the Fountain from whence it flows: (for it was from the love he bare to man that he gave us his only dear Son to save us [Note: Joh_3:16.]:) and exhibiting his Son, his co-equal, co-eternal Son, as our Mediator, through whose obedience unto death our peace with God is obtained: and setting forth the Holy Ghost as the Agent, who applies to our souls all the blessings which Christ has purchased for us. This mystery, I say, we are to unfold with all possible clearness and energy: and we must insist upon it as the only foundation of a sinner’s hope — — — At the same time we must require of men to obey the commands of God, and must admit of no other standard of holiness than that which God has given us in his word — — —
To address ourselves to this work in our own strength were folly and madness. But,]
We have also the very same encouragement as they—
[The Lord Jesus Christ will be with his Church and people “even to the end of the world:” and every faithful minister may expect from him all needful direction and support. He will “give testimony to the word of Ins grace [Note: Act_14:3.],” and will clothe it with power divine, that it may effect that for which he has sent it [Note: Isa_55:11.]. However weak in itself, it shall in his hands “be quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword [Note: Heb_4:12.].” It shall be as “a hammer or a fire that breaketh the rock in pieces [Note: Jer_23:29.].” In dependence on him therefore we go forth, expecting assuredly, that, notwithstanding the weakness of those who deliver it, “it shall be the power of God to the salvation of those who hear it [Note: Rom_1:16.].”
Were it not for this encouragement, no man, possessed of reason, would presume to undertake the office of a minister: but depending on Christ’s promised aid, we do hope that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord [Note: 1Co_15:58.].”] [Note: The Application of this subject must be suited to the occasion on which it is delivered. If it be an Ordination or Visitation Sermon, the Address should be adapted to ministers. If it be on a young minister’s first entrance on his labours, his hearers should be respectfully told what they are to expect throughout the whole of his ministrations; and be entreated both for his sake and their own to implore the Divine presence, without which he must preach in vain, and they hear in vain. If it be to persons recently confirmed, their “baptismal” vows must be particularly enforced, seeing that they have been baptized into these principles, and these engagements.] END OF VOL. XI.