The Return to Jerusalem and Jesus's Final Instructions

Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8

Mark 16:15-18

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall cast out demons and they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up snakes, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” (The two most reliable early manuscripts do not have Mark 16:9-20.)

Luke 24:49

Look, I will send the promise of my Father upon you, but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are empowered from on high.

Acts 1:4-8

Gathered with them, he commanded them to not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, he had proclaimed to them. He said, “John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit before long.”

When they gathered, they asked him, “Lord, will you now restore the kingdom of Israel?

And he said to them, “It is not meant for you to know the times or the season. That’s only within the Father’s knowledge. But you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and even to the farthest part of the earth.”