Compare Acts 5:21 with Matthew 28:19-20 on spreading the Gospel. The Passages Side by Side Acts 5:21: “At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people.” Matthew 28:19-20: “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, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Setting of Each Passage • Acts 5 takes place in Jerusalem soon after Pentecost; an angel releases the apostles from prison and instructs them to “speak to the people all the words of this Life” (v. 20). • Matthew 28 records Jesus’ final earthly charge on a Galilean mountainside, commissioning all future disciples. Shared Themes on Gospel Proclamation • Divine command, not human initiative. • Teaching is central; both passages use the verb “teach/teaching.” • A sense of urgency—Acts says “at daybreak,” while Jesus’ “go” is a present-tense imperative. • Reliance on supernatural authority: angelic instruction in Acts; Christ’s universal authority in Matthew (v. 18, context). • Assurance of God’s presence: angelic deliverance in Acts; Jesus’ abiding presence in Matthew. Distinct Emphases • Scope – Acts 5: local, temple-centered, addressing Jews in Jerusalem. – Matthew 28: global, “all nations,” embracing every ethnicity. • Method – Acts 5: public preaching in the temple courts. – Matthew 28: a three-part process—go, baptize, teach obedience. • Result – Acts 5 demonstrates immediate obedience and rapid church growth (cf. Acts 5:14). – Matthew 28 lays out the continuing pattern for the church’s worldwide mission. Lessons for Today’s Disciple • Obedience to Christ’s mandate must be immediate; delay is disobedience. • Teaching Scripture faithfully is non-negotiable; content matters as much as zeal. • Evangelism is both local and global; start where you are but aim for the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). • Baptism publicly identifies new believers with the triune God; it is integral to disciple-making. • Christ’s promised presence (“I am with you always”) empowers boldness, even when opposition arises (Acts 5:17-18). • Gospel proclamation remains God’s chosen means of salvation (Romans 1:16). Other Passages Reinforcing the Mandate • Mark 16:15 — “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” • John 20:21 — “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” • 2 Corinthians 5:20 — We are “ambassadors for Christ.” • 2 Timothy 4:2 — “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” • 1 Peter 3:15 — “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you.” • 1 Corinthians 9:16 — “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Putting It into Practice • Start each day, as the apostles did, ready to speak the “words of this Life.” • Look for opportunities both inside and outside church walls—temple courts and street corners alike. • Disciple new believers fully: share the gospel, baptize them, and keep teaching until they themselves can teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). • Trust the literal promises of Scripture: Jesus is with you, and His word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). |
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