1. The Limited Commission “…Inasmuch as no further mention is made of these workers, it is to be understood that they were appointed for a temporary ministry. Tradition names several of them and identifies them with disciples active after Pentecost. While it is probable that some of these were witnesses later, the tradition is worthless in details. The mission of these and the reason assigned for their appointment are essentially the same as in the case of the Twelve. Jesus is now completing His last popular campaign in preaching and introducing the kingdom of heaven…. Jesus was perhaps employing all whose experience and sympathy made them fit for work in the harvest that was so plenteous while the laborers were few. He found seventy such now as He would find a hundred and twenty such after His ascension (Acts 1: 15).” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)

2. The Limited Commission We understandably spend time studying the Great Commission of Matthew 28; Mark 16; and Luke 24. However, little time is expended considering the Limited Commission. We thus designate these two commissions (Matt. 28: 19; Luke 10: 1) because in the case of the apostles, they were to go to “all nations,” while in the case of the seventy or seventy-two, they were to go primarily to the Jews (Matt. 28: 19; Luke 10: 1). While the Limited Commission served its purpose, there are certain residual truths that are profitable for us today. It should be noted that some translations of importance provide the number seventy-two instead of seventy (vs. 1, 17).

3. The Limited Commission The primary design of the Limited Commission: The announcement of the Kingdom (Luke 10: 9, 11). 1. The Kingdom was and is of great consequence: Matt. 13: 44; Mark 9: 1; Matt. 16: 18, 19; Matt. 6: 33.

4. The Limited Commission Some observed truths: 1. Need of preparing the soil (Luke 10: 1). 2. Never too many laborers (vs. 2). 3. All sorts of encountered people (vs. 6). 4. Go by twos (vs. 1, cp. Mark 6: 7). 5. Financial provision (vs. 4, 7). 6. The reality of rejection (vs. 6, 10, 11).

5. The Limited Commission 7. Increased opportunity results in increased responsibility (vs. 12-15). 8. The messenger and his message (vs. 16, cp. I Thes. 4: 8).

6. The Limited Commission Conclusion: The thus commissioned had success in introducing the gospel and in defeating Satan (vs. 17-20).