Christ gave the command to his disciples to take the Good News to the world.  We refer to this as the "great commission."

^{Mt 28:19}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,

²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The purpose for Christ's church seems very clear from this statement of commission.  A key word in Jesus' statement is "go," – clearly an action verb that indicates that the mission of His church is out in the world.

We could see this same pattern of movement and activity in Christ's ministry.  He was the living example of traveling and preaching.  Jesus was traveling continuously with his band of disciples.

Jesus was mobile in his ministry – his expectation of the church from its start was to "go" with His Good News, and make disciples. 

^{Jn 2:12}After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples.

Immediately thereafter He and his disciples were again on the move.

^{Jn 2:13}When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

This trend of moving frequently from place to place was His practice.  Each location provided opportunities for deep lessons, for his disciples and all those He encountered.

Key lesson– the work of the church for the Lord is not limited to time within the walls of our church buildings.  We are to take His message, the gospel, to the world.   

Another important instruction directly from the Lord was that the Apostles were to not act alone, or even start out alone, until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit.

^{Acts 1:4}On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We see clearly that as Jesus began his church, the mission was God's, and Christ is to lead by means of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ is the head of the church.

His Apostles, the initial human leaders of the church, were to act at his direction.  We today must not forget the importance of our complete dependence on his Holy Spirit as we conduct the ministry work of the church.

We continue in Acts next time.
Blessings,

Larry