The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ.
Written by Abbot Joshua Sparks.
Jesus made a very powerful statement concerning His Church. (Matthew 16:18 ) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peter is not the rock the church is built on neither is he the one who is building the church. Peter in verse 19 was given the keys to the Kingdom and we believe those keys were used to unlock the door of salvation to the Jews (Acts 2:38 ) and the Gentiles (Acts 10:46-48 ). Jesus declared I will build my church and the gates of hell or the grave (Strong’s G # 86)cannot prevail against it or overpower it. Paul reiteratedthis doctrine of the grave not being able to overpower the church when writing to the church in Corinth. ( 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52) 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The commission to Preach the Gospel was given to the disciples after Jesus had risen from the dead. We will post the 3 accounts as found in the book of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In these 3 accounts we will see Jesus command to His disciples to go was not without instructions and commands. The were some principal doctrines established and these were implemented by our Lord Jesus and not prefabricated by the thoughts and desires of men. Below is listed the passages concerning Jesus commission to his disciples.
(Matthew 28:18-20) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Mark 16:15-18 ) 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Luke 24:46-49) 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Jesus told his disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they be endued or clothed with power from on high. Jesus spent 40 days after his resurrection with the disciples teaching them and speaking to them plainly of the father. ( John 16:25)These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.