Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

 

The year was 45 A.D. The Holy Spirit had moved the headquarters of the Church from Jerusalem to Antioch, which was the third most prominent city in the Roman Empire at the time. Rome and Alexandria (in Egypt) were larger but Antioch was centrally located to all of the Roman Empire.

 

We read in the 13th Chapter of the Book of Acts that there were certain Prophets and Teachers in Antioch at the time. Now there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers as Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1)

 

While the Church was well established in Jerusalem at the time, the religious spirit of the Jewish people made it extremely difficult to separate Grace from the Law. So, the Holy Spirit chose Antioch as the new headquarters for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and placed there the Prophets and Teachers of His choosing.

 

This would be the beginning of the fulfillment of the Great Commission given by Jesus to take the Gospel of Christ and the Teachings of Jesus to all the nations of the world. This effort is still in effect today as Missionaries are stationed all around the world sharing the Gospel and bringing the Light of Jesus Christ to every dark corner of the world.

 

Most Christians may not realize it, but this move by the Holy Spirit to take the Church beyond Jerusalem was the first move to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and to people in the Western world and that includes all of us!

 

Therefore, if you have been asked or wondered yourself, how the Gospel got to Europe and eventually North America, this is the answer. As we continue to study the Ministry of the Apostle Paul, it becomes apparent how the Holy Spirit used him and others to fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

 

The Holy Spirit ALWAYS works in conjunction with the Words of Jesus. They are forever in one accord because they are One. Remember what Jesus said. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, “I am going away and coming back to you.” If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, “I am going to the Father,” for My Father is greater than I. (John 14:25-28)

 

And so, eleven years after the Crucifixion of Christ, the Holy Spirit began to put people in place to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus. He is still at work doing this and you and I are a part of that Plan. We are here for such a time as this. Be obedient to the Call of the Holy Spirit on your life. He wants to use you! Hallelujah!

 

God is in the process of…...….turning the tide……..in this world.

 

Here I am Lord. Use me.         Doreen

 

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