How does Acts 14:25 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Text Snapshot: Acts 14:25 “And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.” The Great Commission Restated “Therefore go 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 surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Shared Verbs: Go—Speak—Teach • Go: The apostles physically move from Perga to Attalia (Acts 14:25), mirroring Jesus’ “go” to all nations. • Make Disciples: Just four verses earlier, “they preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples” (Acts 14:21). • Teach the Word: Luke summarizes their stop in Perga with the phrase “spoken the word,” encapsulating the teaching component of Matthew 28:20. A Journey That Mirrors Jesus’ Mandate • Cross-cultural reach—Perga was a Gentile port; Attalia offered further sea routes. The team is intentionally stepping toward “all nations.” • Sequential obedience—They do not linger once the Word is delivered; movement keeps mission momentum, echoing the Commission’s outward thrust. • Inclusive message—The same gospel proclaimed in Jewish synagogues (Acts 13:5) is now freely spoken in Gentile territory, fulfilling the “all nations” scope. Teaching that Produces Lasting Growth • Acts 14:22-23 shows them “strengthening the souls of the disciples” and appointing elders—practical outworking of “teaching them to observe.” • Paul later reinforces this pattern: “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Assurance of Christ’s Presence • On returning to Antioch they report “all that God had done with them” (Acts 14:27). The risen Christ promised, “I am with you always,” and His active partnership is evident in open doors, new churches, and sustained courage. Why the Brief Verse Matters • Acts 14:25 may read like a travel note, yet it quietly confirms that the earliest missionaries were living out every layer of Matthew 28:19-20: – They went. – They spoke. – They discipled. – They trusted Christ’s abiding presence on every road and sea. Take-Home Reflections • Geography was never meant to be a barrier; every modern “Perga to Attalia” moment—whether crossing a street, a city, or an ocean—can advance the same Commission. • Speaking the Word remains our primary task; methods may vary, but the message and mission do not. • The promise of Christ’s presence empowers even ordinary itinerary lines to become eternal milestones. |
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