Page 11 - June 2026 - Truth & Tidings

nesses of the risen Lord were not believed. sincere compassion for the lost.
Mary was not believed (v11); the two The mention of baptism (v16) has made
disciples were not believed (v13); and some wonder if baptism is a requirement
when the Lord appeared to the eleven for salvation. If so, this would overturn
He rebuked them “because they believed the united testimony of the New Testa-
not them which had seen him after he was ment that salvation is by faith alone in
risen” (v14). Christ. No rite can add anything to the
This embarrassing record of unbelief work of Christ. Faith rests simply upon
on the part of the disciples serves to con- the all-sufficient person and work of
firm the authenticity of the record. The the Son of God. But why, then, does the
announcement seemed to them to be just Lord mention baptism? Baptism is the
too fantastic to accept, until they saw for God-ordained way for saved sinners to
themselves (cp. Joh 20:14-29). testify to their salvation. Many of us are
in no danger of believing that baptism is
The Assignment from the Lord a requirement for salvation, but we are
(vv15-18) in danger of placing too great a distance

The disciples had been called to follow between baptism and salvation. Every
the Lord (1:16-20; 2:13-14) and be His person saved by faith alone in Christ
should testify to this fact by baptism. An
companions (3:14). But the Lord always unbaptised believer is an anomaly.
intended that they “become fishers of
men” (1:17) whom He would send “forth Just as the resurrection was corroborated
to preach” (3:14). Having learned from the by multiple sightings (vv9-14), so the apos-
Perfect Servant, they were now equipped tolic preaching was confirmed by miraculous
to be sent forth as His apostles: “And he signs (vv17-20). These signs authenticated
said unto them, Go ye into all the world, the apostolic ministry (2Co 12:12; Heb 2:3-
and preach the gospel to every creature. 4), and most mentioned here can be traced
He that believeth and is baptized shall be through the history of the early Church
saved; but he that believeth not shall be (e.g., Act 2:4-11; 16:18; 28:3-5,8).
damned” (vv15-16). Here is the mandate The Ascension of the Lord
and motive of the Lord’s servants.
As to mandate, they must “Go … and (vv19-20)
preach.” The instruction is clear (cp. Mat The Commission having been commu-
28:18-20; Luk 24:46-47; Act 1:8). They must nicated, the Servant’s work was done. “So
be travellers, carrying the good news to then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken
every place; they must be preachers, pro- to them, was taken up into heaven and
claiming the good news to every person. sat down at the right hand of God” (vv19
As to motive, they must be driven by desire ESV). He who in self-humbling compas-
for the salvation of souls, while knowing sion took upon Himself “the form of a ser-
that each sinner must personally respond vant” and became “obedient unto death,
in faith. even the death of the cross,” experienced
Proclaiming the good news, they were by resurrection and exaltation the begin-
to be fishers of men, intent upon seeing ning of divine vindication. “God also hath
souls saved, reflecting the character of highly exalted him” (Php 2:5-11).
the Perfect Servant who was moved with And so, at present, the Lord is seated
Continued on p.179
171
TruthandTidings.com I June 2026 171