How does Acts 1:21 connect to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Two Snapshots, Same Mission “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.” “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, 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.” Acts 1:21—Choosing a Qualified Witness • The apostles are replacing Judas; they insist on someone who “accompanied us the whole time” so that the new apostle can testify firsthand to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (cf. Acts 1:22). • The emphasis is on continuity: a reliable chain of eyewitnesses who personally knew Jesus (1 John 1:1-3). • This requirement safeguards the integrity of the gospel message before it spreads to the nations. Matthew 28:19-20—Commissioning Worldwide Witnesses • Jesus commands the eleven to “go and make disciples of all nations,” expanding the audience far beyond Israel. • The task has three parts: go, baptize, teach. • Jesus’ promise of His abiding presence (“I am with you always”) empowers the ongoing mission (see Acts 1:8). Connecting the Dots 1. Eyewitness Foundation ➜ Global Expansion – Acts 1:21 secures trustworthy eyewitness leadership. – Matthew 28:19-20 sends that trusted leadership to every nation. 2. Continuity of Message – Acts 1:21 guarantees that the apostolic message is grounded in what Jesus actually did and said. – Matthew 28:20 instructs them to teach “all that I have commanded,” preserving the same content. 3. Apostolic Succession in Practice – By selecting a qualified twelfth apostle, Acts shows how leadership transitions without diluting authority. – The Great Commission anticipates future generations of disciples who will likewise guard and pass on the truth (2 Timothy 2:2). 4. Dependence on Divine Presence – Acts 1:21 takes place just before Pentecost; the apostles await the Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8). – Matthew 28:20 promises Jesus’ continual presence—fulfilled by the Spirit—so both passages rest on divine enablement, not human ingenuity. Why This Matters for Us • Our faith rests on a historically anchored gospel, transmitted by qualified witnesses (Luke 1:2-4). • We inherit the same mission: proclaim Christ accurately and make disciples globally. • The Lord’s presence and the Spirit’s power remain our confidence as we continue the work begun in Acts and commanded in Matthew. |
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