The Second Commission . After Jesus had broken down the middle Wall between Jew and Gentile by his death on the cross, He gave His Apostles a new commission (Ephesians 2:11-16 ). According to Matthew, this commission embraced,
- the announcement that all authority in heaven and in earth had been given unto Him;
- the command to go and teach;
- the command to baptize those who were taught;
- the command to continue to teach the baptized disciples;
- the assurance that He would be with them to the end (Matthew 28:18-20 ).
According to Mark, it embraced,
- the command to preach the gospel to the whole world;
- the promise of salvation to those who believe and obey it (Mark 16:15,16 ).
According to Luke, it embraced,
- the command to preach repentance in His name;
- to begin at Jerusalem;
- the assurance that the apostles were witnesses of these things (Luke 24:45-48 ).
According to John, it embraced, under the condition laid down by Jesus, the power to remit and retain sins ( John 20:22,23 ).