Further Appearances, And Pentecost 33 C.E.

AT SOME point Jesus makes arrangements for all 11 of his apostles to meet him at a mountain in Galilee. Other disciples are apparently told about the meeting, and a total of more than 500 people assemble. What a happy convention this proves to be when Jesus appears and begins teaching them! Among other things, Jesus explains to the large crowd that God has given him all authority in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore," he exhorts, "and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you."

Think of it! Men, women and children all receive this same commission to share in the disciple-making work. Opposers will try to stop their preaching and teaching, but Jesus comforts them: "Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." Jesus remains with his followers by means of the holy spirit, to help them fulfill their ministry. Altogether, Jesus shows himself alive to his disciples for a period of 40 days following his resurrection. During these appearances he instructs them about the Kingdom of God, and he emphasizes what their responsibilities are as his disciples. On one occasion he even appears to his half brother James and convinces this onetime unbeliever that He is indeed the Christ.

While the apostles are still in Galilee, Jesus evidently instructs them to return to Jerusalem. When meeting with them there, he says to them: "Do not withdraw from Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; because John indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized with in holy spirit not many days after this." Later Jesus meets again with his apostles and leads hem out of the city as far as Bethany, which is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Amazingly, despite everything he has said about his soon departing for heaven, they still believe that his Kingdom will be established on earth. So they inquire: "Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?"

Next time: Conclusion of Further Appearances, And Pentecost 33 C.E.

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991