Shalom,
In Mark 16 we see that when Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared first to Mary (verse9) and then to two others while they were walking on the road (verse12). Most of the disciples were grieving over the death of Jesus and refused to believe the messengers who told them that He had risen! Jesus addressed this in verse 14:
14 Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death].
Jesus HAD to correct them for not believing them! What precedent did He set here? He showed to all that Galatians 3:28 is TRUTH!
28 There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Jesus established that every believer is called to preach the Gospel, even women and even those who did not come from the "inner circle" of the apostles! All are called, all are anointed, all have the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit available to them for ministry! Once He had established that Truth, He went on to send them ALL out in verse 15:
15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
He promised them THIS to confirm the Gospel they preached, in verses 16-18:
16 He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. 17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
After this, Jesus rose into Heaven and the the disciples obeyed Him! What then? Acts 1-2 tell us that Jesus instructed them to go and wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power! They had received the "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit at the New Birth. Now they waited for the "infilling" or the "enduing with power" that Jesus had prepared them for. This is the "anointing" spoken of in 1 John 2:20. They waited until they had received the promise, then they went out and preached WITH RESULTS! Amen! Mark 16:20 says this:
20 And they went our and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).
Remember, Jesus is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! He WILL do the same for those who WILL do the same! Amen! Let's get to it! Here is a little inspiration from Hillsong with "Tell The World":
Shalom in Him!
