Ok, this one’s gonna be controversial. Here’s something I’ve been wondering about. The Great Commission is one of the central tenants of our faith. But, why should I follow it?* Let me explain my question. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. It is so often taken out of context and applied to our loves today when it clearly doesn’t. When read in its proper context, we quickly see that it is part of a promise God made to the Israelites when they were in captivity in Babylon.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Clearly, this is not a promise we can claim for our lives today – it wasn’t made to us! Joshua 1:3 is another classic example of a promise made to a specific person in a specific place and time that people take for their own. So, in light of this, let us examine the Great Commission. Jesus commanded the disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. He commanded the disciples (the disciples, not all disciples)– it was not a general command to all people. Does that mean it applies to us, or is it just like Jeremiah 29:11 – taken out of context?
*I don’t actually think we shouldn’t spread the Gospel, I just wanna know your opinions on this line of thought
10 comments:
Several ways that can be looked at.
1> it is only for "the" disciples. Meaning them there.
2> it is for all
3> It is for all disciples but those that are chosen among the disciples, even today, who are to be missionaries.
It is 3, based on the Pauline letters where groups of Christians, not just apostles, were traveling from city to city and other Christians were not. The letters were addressed to churches in cities and homes.
The body analogy will also work. Some are made for one purpose, and others for another purpose.
Jesario, that's an way of looking at it I've not thought of before. Thanks!
Sure, no problem!
You can also take into consideration our spiritual gifts, and how they shape our Christian life.
I'm not sure why The Great Commission would be controversial. I *kind of* agree with Jesario, but also *kind of* agree with DaveE. What I do not agree on is the misquoted verses.
I know that many are misquoted, and indeed most can be, but let me explain.
Yes, Jeremiah 29:11 can easily be misquoted. But that does not mean that every time it's quoted is a misquote. That mirrors the Pharisees and Scribes as they would undoubtedly see Jesus speaking and think He misquoting the Bible - how could He see such and such in relation to this?! Conversely, Jesus pointed out that those who would make themselves high and lofty misquoted often (eg, by taking what would be for honoring father and mother and giving it to the temple, or doing so much work on the Sabbath, etc)
My point is the Lord's promise here in Jeremiah is to Israel, not to a "person," but the the people of God. Are we not declared His people? Are we not true Israelites? This may have been a promise that was given at a specific time, but so was then the prophesy of the coming Messiah, Cyrus to Babylon. We know by Spirit of Truth and experience that God was giving specifics in history of two points. One immediate and one prophetic, in the same act.
Same in this instance. God does not rescind His promise to have good plans for us! That does not mean that our lives will be easy, but He has fulfilled this promise already in Christ! The promise land "back to this place," (Jer 29:10b) is prophetic for the Lord's Heart. To dwell in His presence. Seek Him and you will find Him. This is timeless and not to a few. How can I say this? Because Christ says it. Does He not practically quote it Himself? If your child asks for a loaf you would not give him a stone (or a serpent). If you who are evil know how to give good things to your children, does not your Father in heaven have good in mind for you? Ask and it will be given!
As for Joshua 1:3, "Everywhere you foot treads I have given to you, as I promised to Moses,"
this can be taken spiritually too: Murray Bodo writes of Saint Francis, "Everything Francis saw of heard or smelled or breathed was his, because nothing was his. He had fiercely rooted out of his heart all possessiveness and greed, and as Jesus promised, all these things were given back to him, pressed down and overflowing with love." Everywhere he trod was his. I would have the same heart.
This is a long response, and I haven't even gotten to the Commission. (And I'm writing on work time!!)
In short, though, I do agree with DaveE, and with Jesario. DaveE in that most scripture is misquoted, but not by those in the Spirit, only those in ignorance and arrogance. That is why we are told to test all things. Test it against the Bible, and test it in the Spirit (in which it was given as well as that in which it was received.)
Just as Jesus says this, He says to Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. When has Jesus EVER said anything that had one clear meaning? Anytime Jesus appears to say anything banal, recheck it.
Baptizmo is the Greek used here, and though, yes, I think He meant, literally water baptism, I think He also meant, as the Greek means, to immerse everyone in the Truth that is the Trinity and Gospel of God.
How do you learn a language best? By immersion. How do you lead a holy life before God? By immersing yourself in the Life that is the Flowing River, our Source. Baptism, immersion, is symbolic for three reasons then: the washing of sins, the going down and coming up with Christ from the grave, and the total immersion in the Life, Way and Truth of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Does this mean that I am misquoting scripture? I hope by heaven not; Lord forgive me if I do. But I have fought with this over prayer and supplication. Something we should do for the Great Commission as well.
I agree with Jesario in that it may be your business to be an encourager or healer or host, not so much a prophet, missionary or evangelist.
However, I will say this: do not pass up the opportunity to share Christ with someone just because you may think you are not called to it. Must you go to Calcutta to share? No, your neighbor is probably in just as much need, in terms that you can give, I would say immediately more so. If He wants you to go to Sri Lanka to share, He will see you there.
So should you share the Gospel? Yes, in every day in every way; and if you must, use your lips.
Robin, why do you think that we are all Israelites? I am a Gentile, and I found many verses in the New Testament contrasting Israel and Gentiles, but could really see anything that brought them together in that way. Can you elaborate on this a little?
I say that because God calls us chosen, His children; we are sons and daughters of the Lord on High, right?
Jesus says there was a banquet given by the king and no one who was invited came, so he sent out his servants to bring in all who would come, from the streets and all around. We are invited to - for lack of a better word - replace the very chosen of God. I'm not implying anything else toward Jews now - of whose rich lineage I wish was more closely linked. I'm only part. I'm saying there is a difference between Jew and Israelite.
Have you not circumcised the foreskin of your heart for the Son of Man, the Lord of Hosts? Are you not baptized with the same baptism as our Lord? Do you not struggle with God? (Israel) A Gentile is one who holds a different, or no god - from "gentile" peoples and nations, but Gentiles we are not, brother. Were, but are no longer.
Galatians 3:26-29 (esp. 29)
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Romans 8:28
This is the verse where I find the confirmation that God has good planned for us. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
I know the verse you're quoting, its the one I hang many things on, and we should use THIS one, not the Jeremiah one because this one is CLEARLY for us! Also, this verse has a different emphasis, to my mind. I feel that the Jeremiah verse, improperly applied, gives people the idea that nothing bad will ever happen to them, and when something does go wrong they feel that God had failed or abandoned them. The Romans verse doesn't promise that nothing 'bad' will ever happen to us, just that God will use those events for our good.
Ah, I see what you mean. I don't have that perception of it, but I can certainly see people taking it that way.
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