Repentance And Forgiveness

 "'So, it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead.  Then repentance and forgiveness in HIS name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  And you are witnesses of these things.  And that is why I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  So, remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'

JESUS led them almost as far as Bethany; then HE lifted up HIS hands and blessed them.  And as HE blessed them, HE withdrew, and was taken to heaven.  They worshiped HIM, and then returned to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the temple, praising GOD." - Luke 24:46-53  

 

(Repentance and forgiveness.  Christian conversion is not passing from one party to another, from one religious' group to another: it is a recasting of the person.  Persons are part of a society, a world, a history.  Therefore, the preaching to the nations means also the education of the nations and even international society.  This is something that takes longer than ten or a hundred years.

You are witnesses of these things.  JESUS calls HIS apostles to be the official witnesses of HIS Gospel and those who judge authentic faith.

Remain in the city.  The apostles are not able to begin immediately missionary work.  They will first dedicate themselves to strengthening fellowship and the fervor of the community of the disciples, as they wait for the time chosen by the FATHER to give them the power coming from above.

I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  JESUS could not affirm HIS divine authority and the unity of the three divine persons more powerfully.

HE withdrew: this was the last of JESUS' appearances to the group of disciples.

And so, concludes Luke's first book.  His second book, The Acts of the Apostles, follows the Gospels and it begins exactly where this gospel ends.)    

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