Austin Bible Church
The most intense crash program of teaching Bible doctrine in all of human history was the 40-day ministry of Jesus Christ after His resurrection.
The Apostle Peter Example
Peter was not ready for the Cross. He was grace-oriented, had mastered the details of life and had a relaxed mental attitude. Luke 22:31-34.
“"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."” (Luke 22:31-34, NASB)
Peter failed the rapport love test by denying three times that he knew our Lord. Luke 22:54-62.
“And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."” (Luke 22:56-57, NASB)
“A little later, another saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"” (Luke 22:58, NASB)
“But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.” (Luke 22:60, NASB)
In Acts 2:22-24, Peter spoke with confidence in the Cross and our Lord’s resurrection. How could Peter stabilize so quickly? Because of the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus Christ.
“"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:22-24, NASB)
The Book of Matthew Emphasis
In Matthew 28:18-20, there are two major communication gifts mentioned – evangelism and pastor-teacher. The command to the evangelist in Matthew 28:19 is not just to “go,” but to “Go therefore and make disciples” and is the aorist active imperative of μαθητεύω (mathēteuō) which means to teach, to instruct them in evangelism. This is a teacher teaching a learner, an unbeliever who is positive. “Baptizing them” is the present active participle of βαπτίζω (baptizō) and means to perform emersion baptism of the converts which as an outward ritual that depicts the salvation in Jesus Christ by faith that has already occurred.
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19, NASB)
In Matthew 28:20, the command is given to teach the believer who is positive. This is the command to the pastor-teacher. He is to teach on a daily basis (not commanded). He is to categorize the Word of God in his studies. He is commanded to study the whole counsel of the Word of God.
“teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."” (Matthew 28:20, NASB)
“To the end of the age” refers to the crash program of teaching Bible doctrine for them in the 40 days prior to the Day of Pentecost and the crash program of teaching Bible doctrine to the remnant of Israel (believers) during the Tribulation.
The Book of John Emphasis
Not only did Peter need to understand the place of divine enablement in the sense of spiritual gifts, but he needed a strong personal love for Jesus Christ. In John 21:15, our Lord asks Simon Peter whether he has a mental attitude love ἀγαπάω (agapaō) toward Him. He answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love φιλέω (phileō) You.” Our Lord’s command was to “Tend My lambs.” This refers to teaching the new immature (babe) believers in basic Bible doctrine.
“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs."” (John 21:15, NASB)
In John 21:16, our Lord asks Simon Peter a second time whether he has a mental attitude love ἀγαπάω (agapaō) toward Him. He answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love φιλέω (phileō) You.” Our Lord’s command was to “Shepherd My sheep.” This refers to feeding the growing, yet somewhat immature (adolescent) believers in basic and some advanced Bible doctrine.
“He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."” (John 21:16, NASB)
In John 21:17, our Lord asks Simon Peter a third time whether he has a personal love φιλέω (phileō) toward Him. He answered, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love φιλέω (phileō) You.” Our Lord’s command was to “Tend My sheep.” “Tend” is βόσκω (boskō) and means to promote by teaching in every way the spiritual welfare of the more mature (adult) believers in advanced Bible doctrine.
“He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.” (John 21:17, NASB)
The Book of Luke Emphasis
In Luke 24:25, our Lord’s post-resurrection ministry to His disciples was for them to stop being foolish and sluggish in their souls. The Chief Shepherd was giving the face to face teaching. “Believe in all” refers to the whole counsel of the Word of God.
“And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25, NASB)
In Luke 24:27, “He explained” is the aorist active indicative of διερμηνεύω (diermēneuō) and means to fully, intensively teach or expound.
“Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:27, NASB)
In Luke 24:31, “their eyes were opened” is διανοίγω (dianoigō) and means to open as a gate, to open the mind of one, to cause to understand a thing, to open one’s soul, to rouse in one the faculty of understanding or the desire of learning. The true Person of Jesus Christ was unknown to them prior to this teaching and then our Lord vanished from their sight. Our Lord wanted to make more advanced Bible doctrine the issue.
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:31, NASB)
In Luke 24:32, “Were not our hearts burning within us” is the present passive participle of καίω (kaiō) and means to receive light, to be put on fire by Bible doctrine. “He was explaining” means our Lord was teaching them intensively and they had a reaction to what was being taught.
“They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"” (Luke 24:32, NASB)
In Luke 24:45, we find the results of our Lord’s intense teaching. “He opened their minds” is again διανοίγω (dianoigō) and means to open as a gate, to open the mind of one, to cause to understand a thing, to open one’s soul. “To understand” is the present active infinitive of συνίημι (suniēmi) and means to bring many passages of Scripture together, to give a frame of reference. No believer gets their completed edification complex without a frame of reference of epignosis Bible doctrine. The disciples just couldn’t put it all together without His teaching.
“Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” (Luke 24:45, NASB)
In Luke 24:49, “clothed with power from on high” refers to the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit that would occur on the Day of Pentecost. They would then receive spiritual gifts, one of them being tongues.
“"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."” (Luke 24:49, NASB)
In Luke 24:51, “While He was blessing them” means to cause to prosper, to make happy.
“While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51, NASB)
In Luke 24:52-53, “with great joy” is μετά χαρά μέγας (meta chara megas) and means great inner happiness – the happiness of God. They expressed it collectively. The status quo was the expression of great joy. This was directed toward God the Father.
“And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God.” (Luke 24:52-53, NASB)
Christ did it on a face to face basis! Hence, Peter on the Day of Pentecost was ready to minister.