“ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  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. Amen“(Matthew 28:19-20).

In today’s contemporary church the ministry of Jesus Christ ascension is often preached to the congregation, but too often the descension, (which took place first) is overlooked or edited. Why? Scripture teaches “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?“(Ephesians 4:9). This is in my opinion a significant part of His work on the cross and should not be omitted. Although, it may not be a pleasant thought to preach of Jesus Christ going to Hell; evidently it was necessary in our deliverance and forgiveness of our sins, and our salvation, our gifts of the Spirit (His grace), and our redemption. Here, the Scriptures suggest Jesus first descended into Hell and conquered the enemy (Satan), taking away the keys of the captive’s imprisonment, and setting the captives free, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36), and most importantly, Jesus’ delegating or transferring the power of grace as a measure of the gift to the believer. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Ephesians 4:7-8).

This power from above is given to us who believe, with the understanding that we are called into a vocation in which we are admonished to walk worthy by faith in humble stewardship. In fact, the apostle Paul writes this passage describing himself as a convicted prisoner of the Lord. The central and essential piece was centered on love. According to the testimony of John, if you truly love God, a vital part of your vocation in showing love is to “feed His sheep or lambs.” This is the work in which John would describe as The Good Shepherd. “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs”(John 21:13-15). He is careful to provide the believer with their specific instructions and/or marching orders from on high, describing precisely how these characteristics should be disseminated to His children. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all“(Ephesians 4:2-6).

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”(Mark 16:17)