There are different functions in the body of Christ. Not all of us have the same function.
For example - let's look at the classic "go and make disciples" scripture.
First thing we do is look at who is being spoken to. In this case it is the 11 disciples.
Matthew 28:16-19 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Jesus did not say this to the over 500 people that He appeared to after His resurrection - He said it only to His 11 disciples which were commissioned to do this function within the body of Christ in that time period. The Lord is still sending people out to do this very thing today.
No where do we see Paul or Peter in their epistles telling the general body of Christ in that local for everyone to do this - to "go and make disciples". There are people in the body of Christ commissioned and called of the Lord to do this.
Sometimes in the passion for our own calling - we want others to be doing it too but it can be a mistake.
To try to make everyone to do this same thing is mis-leading and it really causes a mess because we all have a part to play and we can't do it by doing someone else's calling.
We should be supporting and encouraging those that are commissioned by the Lord to " go and make disciples" - and they should be encouraging the others to do "their calling" as well by the power of the Lord working in and through us.
In saying that - I do agree with Mediggo that we can get our focus off Christ Himself and unto a show of external things.
But I wouldn't judge all churches to be in the same boat because they could have a different function. I'll let the Lord decide that.
For example - let's look at the classic "go and make disciples" scripture.
First thing we do is look at who is being spoken to. In this case it is the 11 disciples.
Matthew 28:16-19 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Jesus did not say this to the over 500 people that He appeared to after His resurrection - He said it only to His 11 disciples which were commissioned to do this function within the body of Christ in that time period. The Lord is still sending people out to do this very thing today.
No where do we see Paul or Peter in their epistles telling the general body of Christ in that local for everyone to do this - to "go and make disciples". There are people in the body of Christ commissioned and called of the Lord to do this.
Sometimes in the passion for our own calling - we want others to be doing it too but it can be a mistake.
To try to make everyone to do this same thing is mis-leading and it really causes a mess because we all have a part to play and we can't do it by doing someone else's calling.
We should be supporting and encouraging those that are commissioned by the Lord to " go and make disciples" - and they should be encouraging the others to do "their calling" as well by the power of the Lord working in and through us.
In saying that - I do agree with Mediggo that we can get our focus off Christ Himself and unto a show of external things.
But I wouldn't judge all churches to be in the same boat because they could have a different function. I'll let the Lord decide that.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, [SUP]19 [/SUP]namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Paul made it clear that every believer is to be a minister of reconciliation and make disciples....
2 Peter 1.1-12 is all about what tot each disciples...
Jesus gave the same power/commission to 70 others, right?
Jesus said to pray to the Lord of the harvest, that he would send laborers
His parables teach this....
It is everyone's Job to be the light the attracts them, the salt that makes them thirsty and then to plant the seed of Jesus in them....