The Great Commission

First thread - will do my best to explain my points best I can

Paul is a great example of how we should minister to others of the good news! My main takeaway recently has been we are called by God to not only proclaim it, but also actively persuade all people of the truth. I'm convinced I should never "give up" on anyone.

To me Acts 28 shows:

• Paul spoke to them [Jewish leaders] morning till evening - all day! {23}
• He "tried to persuade them about Jesus" {23}
• Paul shows he is trying to save / win over ALL of them {23}
• Some were convinced but others would not believe; does not say [could not] {24}
• There were disagreements among themselves; there was confrontation between them {25}
• Paul was still trying to convince them as they were trying to leave {25, 29}
• Paul’s final statement shows some in Israel remained in rebellious stubbornness - they had became like this, not from birth due to Adam {27}
• Paul shows the Gods salvation was sent to the Gentiles and they “will listen”; being more amendable {28}
• Paul stayed for two years and welcome all who came to see him {30}
• Paul proclaimed and taught with boldness and without hindrance {30}

It supports the how I interpret the overall message of scripture:

• God wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9)
• They [Israel] had closed their eyes and cover their hears; even in their rebellious stubbornness God sought them (Luke 13:34)
• God used Israel’s rebellious stubbornness / self-righteousness for redemptive purposes (Romans 9:30-32, Colossians 1:20, Romans 11:11)
• Jesus kept His Messianic identity hidden from the Jews (Mark 9:9, Matthew 17:9)
  • Jesus came to earth through humble means
  • Jesus spoke to Israel during that period in history in parables least they believe and His work not be finished
  • Jesus told those He healed to keep quiet (Luke 5:14)
  • Jesus withdrew as needed to not fully reveal Himself (Luke 5:15-16)
  • He revealed His identity to His apostles and those humble in heart (Matthew 17:1-2, Matthew 13:11, 13:16-17)
  • God allowed the Jews to remain in their stubbornness so He could reconcile himself to the world through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20)
  • Had Israel believed he was the Messiah the crucifixion would not happen
• With His work finished He commissioned us to spread the good news to all creation, that whoever believes will be saved (Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:14–18)
• Even though there are those in Israel who do not believe Paul still prays for them (Romans 9:2, Romans 10:10), that they may believe (Romans 11:11-12; 11:23-24)

___________________Acts 28___________________

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

I certainly agree that we should be a minister of 'good news' to others.

I think each individual and how we deal with them is different....If they are open to it we should continue to deal with them, if in hostility they reject we should walk away....

Jesus said, "Do not cast your pearls before swine"

Jesus also let the rich young ruler walk away lost.

At the end of the day we sow and water.....we cannot give the increase and for sure we are only required to give the truth once....if we waste time tilling the same ground NOTHING WILL EVER GET PLANTED...

Amen!🙏

I only charge 5 percent commission.

Does it say anywhere the rich ruler was not saved, accepting Christ after His death? I think you’re making an assumption...

I’ve seen the pearl parable argued as directed to believers; you’re saying its linked with unbelievers. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but that is the thing with parables. Jesus used them for a purpose.


That’s kind of my main point, Jesus had a specific mission - he couldn’t come out and tell them, or the rich ruler who He was during that time frame in history. Jesus kept his Messianic identity hidden (Mark 9:9, Matthew 17:9)

Acts 28 shows Paul did not take a 5 minute approach, or a take it or leave it approach, or a once and done approach, or that soil is too hard so I’ll move on approach. He persuaded them morning to evening. They left him, he wasn’t the one who walked away. And he stayed for 2 years still proclaiming the good news with boldness. I’m by no means saying we do it all, as the Holy Spirit speaks through the Gospel.

😉😂😂😂😂😂

I am making no assumption..he qas told what he needed to do, rejected it and walked away sorrowful....he walked away LOST....

If anything, you are rejecting the obvious conclusion of the text.....and note.....I said WALKED AWAY LOST.....I never said anything about a possible change of heart in the future which is nothing but an assumption or guess with no valid suppprting text

Bare with me brother; I might not be communicating what I’m saying well. I’m trying not to make assumptions.
The ruler asked how to be saved through the Law. The Gospel [of grace] did not exist yet; Jesus let him walk because he could not reveal that or Himself, at that specific time.
Do you understand it differently?
You stated sharing the truth once is enough and I read that example to support that position.
I fully agree we can’t force people, however, according to Paul’s actions in Acts 28 our level should be much more than once and done.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means close to Paul with my spreading of the Gospel, but think its something we should all work towards. Something I am working towards.

He did tell the woman at the well, in John 4

25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ).
When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Yes and but, it also was instructed to Paul and Silas, when you travel, greet no one on the way, as to not get distracted, or entangled. When Paul and Silas went forth, the sorceress women, with a loud shout followed them, and Paul turned around and rebuked the demons from her, she got saved, her boss didn't like it though.
There are those in ministries, missionaries who have only one aim, and goal, and that is to keep going, no matter what, they do good, their entire life, even unto death, unto those who would abuse them, or even have killed them. It could be a personal discernment, of what and how the HOly spirit leads. I know that scripture is dynamically powerful, for it would 't of been a warning. It causes a lot of damages to the spirit, when you love someone in Christ, and do good to them, and they really do turn on you, as that scripture says. "Do not throw your pearls before the filty, or swine, least they turn on you, and render you to pieces.

Paul was talking to the Jews. PEople who knew all about God and had read many a time about the Messiah, but they missed the meaning. So he wasn't preaching to the Gentiles or the people of no knowledge.

It is like when we post on here, if one of us is less knowledgable and is asking questions then we need to answer, but once it is clear that they believe not, time to move on as Paul did when the Jews finally left either beleiivng or not.

So many people want to debate with the Gentiles and they know nothing of God, for the Gentiles no point reading lots of scripture to them, they don't care.

For everyone to truly believe we following the one true God we have to live like he did. Follow his commandments to love God and love one another. That is what will win people to the Lord.

Hmm I've learned that if you present the gospel to someone and they dont accept it you dont keep beating a dead horse you just carry on with the people who will. Why because Its about timing and peoples hearts being open to recieve.

For every person that objects there are others that really want to hear.

An example, and this isnt gospel presenting its just a fact, I read stories to children as a class and some really want to listen and others are just not interested. If there are some children that dont want to listen its better they not be in the class and do something else, then spoil it and distract the children who DO want to listen.

Jesus said there will be those who have ears to hear, but there will be others whos ears are blocked.

What is your take Skyline on preaching from door to door?

To each his own.....me personally.....It is rare for it to work and most times get rejected due to the other religions doint the exact same thing and hammering it down the throat of people......I believe, based upon the last 32, 33 years of witnessing that GOD will allow the situation to arise and I also believe that if you feel like you should witness to someone...that is the Holy Spirit prompting you to witness at that particular moment and to that particular person...