Commissioned

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." After saying this He breathed on them and said, "receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." John 20:21-23

The Holy Spirit was given to Jesus for His ministry and now Jesus was giving Him to the disciples for their ministry.

I find that the first command they are given after being sent is to go with the forgiveness of sin. Those who the disciples deemed receptive to the gospel, their sins were forgiven and those who rejected it were not forgiven. This is very weighty as I could not do it lightly.

Romans 10:9 tells us: if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' you will be saved." Then this is the criteria. But I would interceed for those I am reaching out to that they might come to the knowledge of truth.

A minister I know continually says: if The Lord should tarry....." And I continually say: " I understand why He waits, for more souls. I pray for more souls."

The second coming would be awesome and a blessing to be around but I want more souls to be there and go wih me when I go. 

The disciples were commissioned to preach the gospel and we are likewise commissioned to take the good news to a lost and dying world. Amen! 

Put on the shoes of the gospel and 'go!'

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