A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – August 23, 2019
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11)
As we read through the New Testament we see that Jesus commanded certain things for His disciples and others to do. It is very important for all of us to realize that there are at least seven different Greek words used in the New Testament which are translated “commanded”. The following are just a few examples to give you a taste of what we are talking
about:
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. (Matthew 15:35) The Greek word used here for commanded is “keleuo” which means to urge.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. (Matthew 21:6-7) The Greek word used here for commanded is “prostasso” which means to bid.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20) The Greek word used here for commanded is “entellomai” which means to give charge or instruct.
Now, what I want you to see here is that a word like “commanded” can be used to describe numerous different actions. The examples above describe actions to urge, to bid, or to instruct. However, there are other scriptures that carry a much more forceful and authoritative nature to the word translated as commanded. The following are just a few
examples:
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: (Mark 6:7-8)
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) (Luke 8:29)
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (Acts 1:4)
The Greek word used in these last three scriptures is “paraggelio” which means to enjoin, to charge, to declare, or to command. In other words, when Jesus commanded the disciples in Acts 1:4 to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father, it was not a suggestion, it was not an urging, it was an authoritative command. It was a “You must do this!!” He knew they would never make it through what they would face in their future without the power of the Holy Ghost.
The command of Jesus in Acts 1:4 still stands today for all of us!!!
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
