Is the Great Commission irrelevant for the church now?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#41
Guojing, I believe in ONE Gospel. I don't believe in most of what I skimmed through in your response. What the bible teaches and what you say it teaches are separated by a great gulf. I ain't going to try to bridge it. You have my answers to your post.
No problem, it has been great engaging with you and reading your point of view. I find I learn the most when that happens since the process of explaining your point clearly has great personal benefits. Cheers and God Bless.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#42
Paul is not above Jesus.
Jesus said it. That in itself is good enough for me.
I agree with you. Paul's letters were written specifically to the Gentiles, because James and the elders commissioned him to do so (Galatians 2:7-9)

Paul himself reminded the church, in
1 Corinthians 14:37 King James Version (KJV)

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Thus, Paul is saying that his words to the church, which comprise mostly of Gentiles, are what the ascended Lord Jesus would say to the church. Jesus himself mentioned at the end of the Gospel of John

John 16:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#43
You know there are some folks who believe the sermon on the mount is directed only to the Jews, just as they believe the Old Testament is directed only to the Jews.

The Old Testament as a Book of collected Scriptures from God, is directed at all of us for it was the only source of teaching to new believers in Jesus, Yeshua, for three centuries. It contains the story of our Savior and the Gospel if you are not blinded by the Law.

To think we are not being taught by the sermon on the mount is missing out on the teaching of Christ as from the Evangelist

Again this smacks of prejudices for we are fellow heirs with Israel now, made so by the Blood of the Passover Lamb of God, not other.

To say there is a different gospel for different people is ignorance if not just plain wickedness..

Never say the salvation of the Gosple of Jesus Christ is not the same for all, the Jew first and then the Greek. If you continue thus, yu will one day regret it, and that eternally.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#44
The Old Testament as a Book of collected Scriptures from God, is directed at all of us for it was the only source of teaching to new believers in Jesus, Yeshua, for three centuries. It contains the story of our Savior and the Gospel if you are not blinded by the Law.

To think we are not being taught by the sermon on the mount is missing out on the teaching of Christ as from the Evangelist
So back the analogy I raised about Noah's Ark. I suppose you will not urge Christians to come together to build an ark, even though God commanded Noah to do so in Genesis 6:14?

Why do you reasoned, correctly, that the instruction for building the ark no longer applies to the present Church? Even though it does not apply to us, would you agree with me that the story is placed in the OT, so that we can learn some lessons from it?

Why then do people resist the same notion that the GC, even though it no longer applies to the present Gentile Church, it does not mean we cannot learn lessons from it.

As for your point about the sermon on the mount, Jesus was giving a taste of how life would be like under the kingdom of God, IF they are willing to accept him as their king.

Under that kingdom, they can sell all they have to give to the poor, because Jesus as their King will always ensure no one lacks. They can offer their left cheek to people who slap their right cheek because the King is there to execute justice fairly. At this present time, would you be willing to follow the same advice?

In fact, in Acts 4:32, they really did gave all their possessions for the common good, and none of them lacked. But by the time the majority of the Jews rejected the gospel, that era has passed, and we read about the "poor saints in Jerusalem", which had to be supported by the Gentile Church (Romans 15)
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,703
6,889
113
#45
Regarding the question posed in the OP


NO
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#47
So back the analogy I raised about Noah's Ark. I suppose you will not urge Christians to come together to build an ark, even though God commanded Noah to do so in Genesis 6:14?

Why do you reasoned, correctly, that the instruction for building the ark no longer applies to the present Church? Even though it does not apply to us, would you agree with me that the story is placed in the OT, so that we can learn some lessons from it?

Why then do people resist the same notion that the GC, even though it no longer applies to the present Gentile Church, it does not mean we cannot learn lessons from it.

As for your point about the sermon on the mount, Jesus was giving a taste of how life would be like under the kingdom of God, IF they are willing to accept him as their king.

Under that kingdom, they can sell all they have to give to the poor, because Jesus as their King will always ensure no one lacks. They can offer their left cheek to people who slap their right cheek because the King is there to execute justice fairly. At this present time, would you be willing to follow the same advice?

In fact, in Acts 4:32, they really did gave all their possessions for the common good, and none of them lacked. But by the time the majority of the Jews rejected the gospel, that era has passed, and we read about the "poor saints in Jerusalem", which had to be supported by the Gentile Church (Romans 15)

Your analogy is not applicable to anything I have posted. Noah is one man, a righteous man, to whom God gave instructions. The event is a lesson and a warning to all about evil, and the times of NOah are also to be similar to the times of Christ's return almost pure evil. Do you see it? It is all around you.

As for a lesson, this too is about the Ark saving the remnants of what was mankind, when we are saved by Jesus Christ.

Do not force the teaching of the Old Testament to fit a personal view.

Paul, you do study and beieve Paul I suppose, teaches there is only ONE Gospel, and anyone teaching another, not that there is another, should be cursed……...Argue with Paul, for I do not argue, but I do share the Word.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
#48
So back the analogy I raised about Noah's Ark. I suppose you will not urge Christians to come together to build an ark, even though God commanded Noah to do so in Genesis 6:14?
You are continuing to harp on the Ark. That was a ONE TIME Ark and a ONE TIME FLOOD. The next equivalent judgment will be by supernatural global fire, preceded by many terrible judgments.

In the meantime, the Church (all genuine Christians) have a duty and a responsibility to fulfil the Great Commission. So if you wish to argue about this, you must argue with God and Christ. And is you wish to wash your hands off this, then you will give account personally.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#49
Paul, you do study and beieve Paul I suppose, teaches there is only ONE Gospel, and anyone teaching another, not that there is another, should be cursed……...Argue with Paul, for I do not argue, but I do share the Word.
I agree with your use of Galatians 3, but have you realized Paul wrote Galatians after the Jerusalem Council event in Acts 15? Make no mistake about it, Paul's Gospel of Grace is the only ONE Gospel now, I fully agree with you.

What you are unwilling to see is that, in the 4 Gospels as well as Acts, which was a transition period, there was the Gospel of the Kingdom which was also preached to the Jews. The GC was based on this particular Gospel.

If the Gentile church want to think they have replaced the Jews in God's eyes and am now responsible for this Gospel of Kingdom, aka "replacement theology", I believe its in error. That should be the curse of preaching another gospel, that you are referring to
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#50
Never worried about this. I thought making deciples is just a part of being a Christian. Theres nothing to argue about that
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#51
In the meantime, the Church (all genuine Christians) have a duty and a responsibility to fulfil the Great Commission. So if you wish to argue about this, you must argue with God and Christ. And is you wish to wash your hands off this, then you will give account personally.
I have stated that the church is responsible for the Ministry of Reconciliation, which Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.

If we took that instruction seriously, our preaching of the Gospel would be more relevant under this present Grace dispensation. We will not preached wrongly the various versions of the GC that are found in the 4 Gospels, that I have listed in my opening post.

And perhaps the unfortunate death of missionary John Chau, might not have happened too.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#52
Never worried about this. I thought making deciples is just a part of being a Christian. Theres nothing to argue about that
When I was a young Christian, someone misled me into thinking I am not saved, because he quoted Mark's version of the GC, you must believe AND be baptized.

I did not go thru water baptism then. That was then that I realized how dangerous is it when you do not rightly divide the Word of God.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#53
When I was a young Christian, someone misled me into thinking I am not saved, because he quoted Mark's version of the GC, you must believe AND be baptized.

I did not go thru water baptism then. That was then that I realized how dangerous is it when you do not rightly divide the Word of God.
I didnt allow people to get me to that but Ive had my fights. God bless you
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#54
I agree with your use of Galatians 3, but have you realized Paul wrote Galatians after the Jerusalem Council event in Acts 15? Make no mistake about it, Paul's Gospel of Grace is the only ONE Gospel now, I fully agree with you.

What you are unwilling to see is that, in the 4 Gospels as well as Acts, which was a transition period, there was the Gospel of the Kingdom which was also preached to the Jews. The GC was based on this particular Gospel.

If the Gentile church want to think they have replaced the Jews in God's eyes and am now responsible for this Gospel of Kingdom, aka "replacement theology", I believe its in error. That should be the curse of preaching another gospel, that you are referring to

To name the Gospel, Paul's, shows a total lack of understanding that the Gospel delivered to Abraham is the same for all to be saved…… Yes, we enter by the Gate, Jesus, into the original Flock to be with the Good Shepherd, as Jesus has taught us all. If you cannot understand this at least believe Jesus.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#55
To name the Gospel, Paul's, shows a total lack of understanding that the Gospel delivered to Abraham is the same for all to be saved…… Yes, we enter by the Gate, Jesus, into the original Flock to be with the Good Shepherd, as Jesus has taught us all. If you cannot understand this at least believe Jesus.
Have you realized that Paul, the apostle to all Gentile Christians, calls the gospel of grace, the mystery that the ascended Jesus gave to him, as "my gospel". And Paul said it not once but at least three times

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” – Romans 2:16

“Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…” – Romans 16:25

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:” – 2 Timothy 2:8

Jesus, when he was born under the law during the 4 Gospels, referred many times to the law of Moses. You ever wondered why he, although he was God himself, recognized that the law was given through Moses? Why didn't he used the term Law of God?

"And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show
thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing THOSE THINGS WHICH MOSES
COMMANDED, for a testimony unto them" (Mark 1:43,44).

When the Pharisees brought up the question of divorce, He asked them in
reply:
"... WHAT DID MOSES COMMAND YOU?" (Mark 10:3).

Paul's authority to the Gentile Church under Grace is equivalent to Moses' authority among the Jews under the Law. Meditate on that.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#56
Paul refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that same Gospel that was first given to Abraham, then to the Jews and finally to the Gentiles. It is in the Book.....

If you believe Paul then believe when he teaches there is no other Gospel than that of Jesus Christ...otherwise you are quoting the minds of men who do not know what Paul is passing on to all.
 
Jul 23, 2018
12,199
2,775
113
#57
I agree with you. Paul's letters were written specifically to the Gentiles, because James and the elders commissioned him to do so (Galatians 2:7-9)

Paul himself reminded the church, in
1 Corinthians 14:37 King James Version (KJV)

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Thus, Paul is saying that his words to the church, which comprise mostly of Gentiles, are what the ascended Lord Jesus would say to the church. Jesus himself mentioned at the end of the Gospel of John

John 16:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
for me it is very different.
The Holy Spirit wrote all 66 books.

Not paul.
 

JosephsDreams

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2015
4,313
468
83
#58
How can telling someone about the love and grace and forgiveness of Jesus ever be irrelaveant?
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
#59
Never worried about this. I thought making deciples is just a part of being a Christian. Theres nothing to argue about that
Yeah..... It seems like there is absolutely nothing in Christianity that is universally agreed upon today. Makes me sad
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,889
1,958
113
Germany
#60
Yeah..... It seems like there is absolutely nothing in Christianity that is universally agreed upon today. Makes me sad
Thats how the enemy works he brings division. The more division the weaker the people.
Dont be sad. Jesus warned us about these things. We just gotta keep our head up and continue walking in the light