Preparation for the Great Commission in Acts
The preparation for the Great Commission in the book of Acts involves several key elements, including divine foreordination, the readiness of the disciples, and the suffering of those called to proclaim the Gospel. This preparation is not merely a human endeavor but is deeply rooted in God's sovereign plan [3].
The concept of preparation is evident throughout scripture. For instance, in 2 Chronicles, King Solomon prepares timber in abundance for the construction of the temple, a house that would be "great and wonderful" [1, 2]. This act of gathering resources and making ready for a significant undertaking parallels the spiritual preparation for the expansive work of the Great Commission. Adam Clarke, commenting on 2 Chronicles, notes that "to prepare chambers" meant to create storage for an "superabundance," suggesting a readiness for plentiful provision [4]. Similarly, the disciples were to "make ready" for the Passover, implying a thorough preparation for a significant event [9].
The readiness of individuals for God's call is a recurring theme. John the Baptist's preaching of righteousness was seen as a necessary preparation for the Messiah's first coming, and a similar call to righteousness is expected before the second coming [8]. This emphasizes that human spiritual readiness is part of the divine preparatory work. The "great Gospel call" itself is described as having "now ripening preparations," indicating a divinely orchestrated timing and readiness [5].
A crucial aspect of preparation for the Great Commission, particularly highlighted in Acts, is the foreknowledge of suffering. When Ananias is sent to Saul (later Paul), the Lord reveals, "I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" [6, 10]. This suffering is not an unforeseen obstacle but an integral part of the divine plan, "marked out beforehand to come to pass" [3]. John Gill details the extent of this suffering, including "weariness, pain, and watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, and nakedness, perils on various accounts, and from different quarters, stripes, scourges, imprisonment, shipwreck, stoning, and death" [6]. Far from being a deterrent, this foreknowledge of suffering is presented as a necessary component of Paul's ministry, transforming his past actions against the name of Christ into an opportunity for honor and privilege through suffering for that same name [10].
The call to "watch and pray" is also presented as a form of preparation, especially in the face of impending trials and significant changes [7]. This spiritual vigilance is essential for those who are to participate in God's unfolding plan, ensuring they are prepared for both the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead. The preparation for the Great Commission, therefore, encompasses divine decree, human readiness, and the acceptance of suffering as a means to advance God's kingdom.
Sources
- 2 Chronicles “2 Chronicles 2:9 (NASB) — to prepare timber in abundance for me, for the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful.”
- II Chronicles “II Chronicles 2:9 (ASV) — even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build shall be great and wonderful.”
- Acts “Acts 4:28 (Rotherham) — To do whatsoever, thy hand and thy counsel, marked out beforehand to come to pass.”
- 2 Chronicles (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Chronicles 31:11: To prepare chambers - To make granaries to lay up this superabundance.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 14:17: supper-time . . . all now ready--pointing undoubtedly to the now ripening preparations for the great Gospel call. (See on Mat 22:4.)”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 9:16: For I will show him,.... In vision, and by prophecy, either now, or hereafter; or by facts, as they come upon him: how great things he must suffer for my name's sake; such as weariness, pain, and watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, and nakedness, perils on various accounts, and from different quarters, stripes, scourges, imprisonment, shipwreck, stoning, and death, of which he himself gives a detail, Co2 11:23 so that Ananias had no reason to be afraid to go to him, and converse with him, and do unto him as he was directed.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 21:36: Watch . . . pray, &c.--the two great duties which in prospect of trial are constantly enjoined. These warnings, suggested by the need of preparedness for the tremendous calamities approaching, and the total wreck of the existing state of things, are the general improvement of the whole discourse, carrying the mind forward to Judgment and Vengeance of another kind and on a grander and more awful scale--not ecclesiastical or political but personal, not temporal but eternal--when all safety and blessedness will be found to lie in being able to "STAND BEFOR”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 56 (introduction): THE PREPARATION NEEDED ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO WISH TO BE ADMITTED TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (Isa 56:1-12) judgment--equity. John the Baptist preached similarly a return to righteousness, as needed to prepare men for Messiah's first coming (Luk 3:3, Luk 3:8-14). So it shall be before the second coming (Mal 4:4-6). near to come-- (Mat 3:2; Mat 4:17), also as to the second coming (Isa 62:10-11; Luk 21:28, Luk 21:31; Rom 13:11-12; Heb 10:25). righteousness--answering to "salvation" in the parallel clause; therefore it means righteousness w”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 22:11: And he shall show you a large upper room furnished,.... With all things necessary, to eat and drink out of, at the passover; there make ready. The Ethiopic version adds, "for us", as in Mar 14:15. The Persic version renders it, "there prepare a place"; but this was prepared already; the words design the preparation of the passover, and every thing proper for it.”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 9:16: I will show him--(See Act 20:23-24; Act 21:11). how great things he must suffer for my name--that is, Much he has done against that Name; but now, when I show him what great things he must suffer for that Name, he shall count it his honor and privilege.”