"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: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
In this lesson, Jesus granted His Apostles the power to work miracles, He also gave them power to overcome whatever challenge might confront them and assured them they would have need of nothing. Jesus gave explicit instructions as to where and to whom His twelve Apostles were to go and teach.
He made a point of telling those Apostles not to take anything with them, no food, no money, and not even an extra coat. He also told them that if they came upon someone who would not listen to their message, they were to leave and let God make judgment against them.
He made a point of telling those Apostles not to take anything with them, no food, no money, and not even an extra coat. He also told them that if they came upon someone who would not listen to their message, they were to leave and let God make judgment against them.
This last portion of the lesson is the part that has been most abused by the leadership of today's "Christianity".
Instead of simply teaching and preaching the gospel, as Jesus commanded, today's preachers and many of their followers want to enforce the gospel, which is an absolute no-no according to what Jesus said directly to His Apostles.
Instead of simply teaching and preaching the gospel, as Jesus commanded, today's preachers and many of their followers want to enforce the gospel, which is an absolute no-no according to what Jesus said directly to His Apostles.
They were given NO right to try to force feed the the word of God to anyone! Every human being has been given his/her own independent free will to, either accept the soul saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ have eternal life, or reject it and face the inevitable wrath of our just God.
Jesus very clearly said, "whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Jesus very clearly said, "whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Therefore, as we strive to follow the orders Jesus gave to His disciples, as we go about to teach and preach His word, we should always remember that there will, always and inevitably, be those who refuse to hear it. They have a God given right to either accept it, or reject it. We are neither authorized, nor commanded, to force them believe it, nor is it our right or responsibility to condemn or punish them for their decision, whatever that might be.~
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