Solid Rock Baptist Church The Stories of the Bible Joe Cassada, Pastor
The Ascension
TEXT: Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12
STORY ELEMENTS:
Setting: circa 31 AD on a mountain in Galilee and Mt. Olivet near Jerusalem
Main Characters: God, Jesus, and the disciples
Plot: The resurrected Christ appears to a group of 500 disciples on a mountain in Galilee, and later meets with the apostles again in Jerusalem. Lastly, he ascends into heaven from Mt. Olivet.
Key word(s): “_____”
Climax: Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
The Great Commission
- (Matt. 28:16-17) After meeting with 7 disciples at the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus later met with many of his followers on a mountain somewhere in Galilee. Paul tells us that there were over _______ disciples in attendance there (1 Cor. 15:6).
- (Matt. 28:18-20) Jesus sent his followers out into the world, commissioning them as witnesses of his resurrection and teachers of his commandments:
- The Power of the Great Commission – “All _________ is Given Unto Me.” why would Christ need power given unto him if he is God? Matthew Henry explains it well:
“As God, equal with the Father, all power was originally and essentially his; but as Mediator, as God-man, all power was given him; partly in recompence of his work (because he humbled himself, therefore God thus exalted him), and partly in pursuance of his design…that he might give eternal life to as many as were given him (Jn. 17:2)…He is now going to receive for himself a kingdom (Lu. 19:12)…Having purchased it, nothing remains but to take possession; it is his own for ever.”[1]
- The Purpose of the Great Commission
- “Go Ye Therefore” – Literally, “in your going.” The Great Commission was very different than the Old Covenant. In the Old Testament economy, God’s people came to the temple in Jerusalem, but now they are the _____________ sent out into the world.
- “And teach all nations” – Literally, “_______ disciples” of all nations (not just Israel). Making disciples involves two important activities:
- “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” – baptism identifies someone with Christ. Though no one is saved by baptism, yet discipleship is never _______________ without it.
- “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” – the ultimate goal of the Great Commission is to train ________________ followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The Promise of the Great Commission – “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” – Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered for service, knowing that Christ truly is with us to the very end. The Church should be _____________________ triumphantly in faith, not halting in fear and doubt.
The Ascension
- (Luke 24:44-49) In one final meeting with his closest followers, Jesus taught the Old Testament doctrine of the Suffering Messiah, and “opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” He then emphasized the importance of the Great Commission and gave them instructions for receiving the __________________ of the Holy Spirit.
- (Acts 1:1-5) Jesus commanded his disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father, which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11). Why do you think they had to stay in Jerusalem? ______________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
- (Acts 1:6-8) The disciples were still desirous to see the kingdom restored to Israel, but Jesus reminded them that their focus should be reaching the world in the ___________ of the Holy Spirit.
- (Acts 1:9-12) After Jesus said these things, he blessed his disciples and was lifted up from the top of Mt. Olivet, disappearing into a cloud of glory. Lingering and awestruck, two _____________ appeared to them reminding them that:
…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
HOW TO USE THIS HAND-OUT
AS A TAKE-HOME BIBLE STUDY:
Read the Bible passage indicated in the STORY ELEMENTS box.
- Try to fill in the blanks based upon your understanding of the passage.
- Check your answers with the Answer Key and correct any errors
- Understand that some blanks may have more than one correct answer (e.g., synonyms for words in the Answer Key)
- Understand that some answers are a matter of opinion
- Write down your own thoughts and personal applications in the Notes
- Enjoy God’s Word!
ANSWER KEY:
key word(s): “Go”
- 500
- a) Power; b) i) temple; ii) make; A) complete; B) faithful; c) advancing
- baptism
- The Church is the New Jerusalem, it is fitting that it would officially begin in Jerusalem; also it fulfills prophecy like Eze. 47:1-12
- powerful
- angels
[1]Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994. Print.
Used by permission from Joe Cassada