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Matt 28:19

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by freeatlast, Dec 2, 2010.

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Who is Matt. 28:19 directed to?

Poll closed Jan 1, 2011.
  1. This was only for the Apostles who were there

    5 vote(s)
    13.9%
  2. This is directed to everyone who is called to preach

    2 vote(s)
    5.6%
  3. This is for all times directed to everyone who is saved

    29 vote(s)
    80.6%
  4. unsure

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

    Who is included in this command?
     
  2. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Jesus' command was given to the eleven apostles acting in two capacities: apostles and members of the first church, established by Jesus during his earthly ministry.

    There were no successors to the apostles, but there were successors to them as church members.

    In a real sense, the commission was given to the first church and every succeeding church.
     
  3. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Tom when you say the church are you saying the church leaders or both the leaders and the membership?
     
  4. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    The option I would choose is not in the poll. The commission was given directly to the Apostles, the "sent ones." We use the term "missionary" which, as I've been told, is from the Latin for "one sent on an errand."

    In that sense, we are all "missionaries," for we all ought to be about the business of Heaven, but we are not all missionaries in the sense that we all go out preach the Gospel like the Apostles did.
     
  5. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;


    I think Matt 28 is speaking directly to the disciples. Not everyone is given the ministry of evangelism and going into all nations.

    But each one of us can proclaim Christ wherever we are should not hide our light.
     
  6. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I believe the Great Commission is to both leaders and members.
     
  7. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Is the account in Matthew had no parallels in scripture, we might say this commission was given to the 11 alone. There are 5 parallels in scripture, however. I'll try to list a few of them: Luke 24:44-40; then in Acts 1:3-8 the ones who will be so commissioned are identified; Mark 16: 15-18 speaks of many people so commissioned to speak the Word unto all the world; then in Icor 15:6, another cross-reference to the great commission where Jesus appeared to above 500 brethren at once...These were all events on the Mount in Galilee where the pronouncement was made.

    In my opinion, the great commission goes beyond the early disciples or even the local church. It extends to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our duty as a believer, however inadequate we may feel. Even a fool can testify of what Christ has done in him, and what Christ can do in them.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  8. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    It says specifically in the text that Matthew's Great Commission was to "the 11 disciples" (v. 16). Due to this and the content of the passage, I believe it was to the leadership of the church. They were then to teach others what Christ had taught them, meaning the command was to be passed down to the leadership of the church through the ages.

    Other statements of the Great Commission have others in mind: Luke 24 is to the church (the 11 and those gathered, v. 33), John 20 is simply to disciples (v. 17), Mark 16 is also to "the eleven" (v. 14), and Acts 1 is to the apostles (v. 2).
     
  9. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    "Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world" at the end of 28th Mt. would seem to extend to more than the eleven and the first assembly. It would seem to include the second, third and every New Testament Church since the first even including those present on planet Earth today.

    This is easy to comprehend if one understands the nature of The Spirit, The Holy, indwelling every New Testament Church since the Day of Pentecost. I hasten to add: The First Assembly was being called out on the shores of Galilee when Jesus said, " Come, follow me; I will make you fishers of men."

    Many present day churches are filled with unregenerated souls, duped by "repeat after me salvation".

    Interesting: the primary meaning for the word translated witness is martyr--a concept completely foreign to those called Christian--in the U.S. anyway.

    Selah,

    Bro. James
     
  10. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    Well said, and truth!
     
  11. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    Ever notice that there were more than 11 hanging around with Jesus at all times, including locked into the upper room at the time of Pentecost? When it came time to replace Judas, there was no lack of other qualified individuals to take his place.

    The phrase "end of the age" or "end of the world" depending on the translation would indicate that Jesus meant to extend that commission to all.
     
  12. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    True. But there are 32 times in the Gospels where the "twelve" disciples/apostles are mentioned, and 6 times where the "eleven" are mentioned. So IMO a proper exegesis of Matt. 28 should take into account why the eleven were specifically noted.

    I believe I covered that when I said Matthew's Great Commission was to be "passed down to the leadership of the church through the ages."
     
  13. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    If you are a Christian you are to take Christ with you, in your life, in your actions, in your words wherever you go, every day.
     
  14. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    But to single out one instance of the Great Commission for the 11 only, when in fact Christ gave that commission 4 other times in the other 3 gospels and Acts, is to limit something based on one text that God does not (ever) limit in the entirety of the Scriptures.

    Indeed, the salvific nature of God's people to go into all the world (the missio Dei) begins in Genesis, is amplified in Exodus and Jonah, and is carried forward in the prophets, and certainly the NT. God's intent was and is always for His people to go into all the world to share with a lost and dying world His glory. I shudder to think of how God will judge His people who have failed in that commission...
     
  15. Old Union Brother

    Old Union Brother New Member

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    I really like what you say here. And I'll add. If you are one of His then you will have His mark.
     
  16. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    It is most difficult for me to believe that any of the 11 would have "doubted" Him as it reads in Matthew 28: 17..."And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him. BUT some doubted. If, however, 500 were present, there could possibly be some doubters.

    It is not uncommon to find a lack of details in the gospels, but the substance is presented, whilst other details show up in other passages.

    In 28:10, where Jesus appears, the eleven are not present, Mary Magdalene, went and told "them"...verse 11 "and they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disblieved."

    Evidence that (1) the 11 were not present; (2) this is the source of the disbelievers, and not the 11.

    Later, the 11 are sought and they finally show up where Jesus is. It is hard to imagine that this great number all of a sudden packed up and departed IF they believed this was indeed Jesus....

    Now to me, the rest makes sense, if more than the 11 are receiving this message to "make disciples of all the nations."; the great commission. Others being present is confirmed in 1 Cor 1-9.."after that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once.then it goes on to talk about Paul's experience.

    The great commission was given to believers, and not just the 11 (Paul would make 12, had he been there) and we are duty bound to spread the good news.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  17. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    There is a pertinent option missing in the poll: commission and authority given to New Testament Assemblies--not individuals.

    Jesus did not post His Commission to His Church(assembly) on the bulletin board of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. He gave it to His Bride. She still has it. He has kept Her without spot or blemish or any such thing even through today. (Through the indwelling of The Spirit, The Holy, who immersed the first assembly and every true assembly since Pentecost)

    Universalism is an insidious error which has crept in unaware to many.

    Why are we not aware?

    Wake up, it is long past time to check the level of our lamp oil.

    Even so, come Lord Jesus.

    Selah,

    Bro. James
     
  18. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    It was given to 'the eleven', and they did indeed fulfill the command.
     
  19. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Many a flock has been fleeced and many of God's little lambs have been heavy laden with burdens from this line of reasoning.

    [edit] Do you use this sort of fear tactic in your preaching?
     
    #19 kyredneck, Dec 3, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2010
  20. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Admit it, you didn't really read my original post carefully. I pointed out how each of the 5 presentations of the Great Commission are different. Remember, you're talking to a missionary here. I would be the last person on the BB to suggest that all Christians are not responsible for the Great Commission. :type:

    Or maybe you just didn't get my point. Let me rephrase it. In short: the Great Commission is given to the 11 disciples (Matthew and Mark), to disciples in general (John), to the apostles (Acts), to the church as a whole (Luke, "the 11 and those that were gathered.) In other words, the Great Commission (in general) is given to the church, to the leaders of the church, and to every single disciple of Jesus Christ. All of us without exception are responsible to reach the world for Christ. What is different in the 5 statements is nuance and strategy.
     
    #20 John of Japan, Dec 3, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2010
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