Is the Great Commission Commanded to Every Believer?

[presidente]

This passage has been dubbed the Great Commission:

Matthew 28
18 ;And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I grew up in a church environment that assumed this was a command for all believers. However, I have heard that not all churches have always heard this view. There used to be antimissionary hymns, including one along the lines of the apostles were sent into all the world, but you, stay where you are... that sort of thing.

But I don't notice in epistles written to churches, that Paul or other apostles condemned or put pressure on people for not evangelizing, while Paul made much of his own call to do so.

Peter did tell us this.

I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I have also see this passage treated as a command to al believers, though it is directed at the twelve.

Matthew 10
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

I've seen it treated as if it were a command to all believers.

But I haven't seen it done so much with the rest of the passage, part of which is quoted below.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

If we are commanded to heal the sick and raise the dead based on this passage, is it forbidden to have a wallet with cash in it while doing so? And do each and every one of us have the right to impose hospitality on people or else they incur judgment?

Did this set of instructions apply to the apostles for a lifetime, or only for this journey? Apparently, they used money at other times.

Can we view 'the great commission' as something that _applies_ in a sense to the church, though the direct command was to the eleven, while recognizing that the individual believer should be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in him?

Could being ready to give an answer may involve giving an answer when opportunities arise, as opposed to the more active role of evangelizing that might include going to preach in a public marketplace?

If we have different gifts and functions, could it be harmful to put the requirements of an apostle on all believers.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

No it's not everyone's calling. That teaching puts a burden of guilt on people who are not called to such and distracts them from focusing on and practicing their gifts. Teaching to live righteously takes a back seat to lecturing to fill the pews with tithe payers. Success is measured in body counts and church square footage rather than love of the brethren and holiness.

 

[lrs68]

Everyone Saved has a reason to tell someone what God has done for them. This is called a Testimony. A Testimony is what Yeshua is instructing His Disciples to share. Nothing was written about what the Disciples experienced and witnessed so they were Testimonies they shared. That is the Great Commission. Everyone Saved has a Testimony. Therefore, everyone Saved has a part to fulfill in the Great Commission.

 

[tablet123]

Matthew 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.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

16 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

All saints have to preach the Gospel.

Jesus told the disciples to teach all nations but how can they do that back at that time.
So then it involves all the saints in the sense of preaching the Gospel.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
But not all people are sent to depart from their area and preach the Gospel.
Shall they depart from their area leaving it abandoned for spiritual guidance and helping the people.
Shall they depart and then someone comes to their area departing from their area.

What sense does that make when they are already there.
There should be people in every area that remain in the area for the people there like a preacher which there should be more than that.

 

[Deuteronomy]

I grew up in a church environment that assumed this was a command for all believers. However, I have heard that not all churches have always heard this view. There used to be antimissionary hymns, including one along the lines of the apostles were sent into all the world, but you, stay where you are... that sort of thing.

Hello Presidente, do you happen to remember the names of those hymns by any chance (because I've never heard them before). Thanks!

BTW, many of our missionaries do remain right where they are (college campus missionaries, for instance), rather than going overseas.

I don't notice in epistles written to churches, that Paul or other apostles condemned or put pressure on people for not evangelizing, while Paul made much of his own call to do so.

I never get the sense of pressure being applied and/or of condemnation from the Lord or the Apostles concerning witnessing/evangelism/apologetics, but I do see commands and admonishments that we should choose to obey (just like all of the other commands/admonishments that we find in the Holy Writ). Like this one, for instance, written by the Apostle Paul to the church (as a whole) in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 5​

18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ​

19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. ​

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ​

Peter did tell us this.

I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I have also seen this passage treated as a command to all believers, though it is directed at the twelve.

Why do you believe that the Apostle Peter was instructing the 12 alone in 1 Peter (as this Epistle seems to be directed towards a much larger audience than that right from the get-go)

You know, it's true that, in many cases, the instructions/commands that the Lord Jesus gave us in the Bible were given to the 12 directly, but does it necessarily follow that all (or even most) of the commands that they were given were meant only for them

Here is one such passage (out of many), taken from the larger passage that begins in the upper room at the time of the Last Supper.

John 13​

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ​

35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ​

Was this commandment meant for the 12 only Surely not!

Can we view 'the great commission' as something that _applies_ in a sense to the church, though the direct command was to the eleven, while recognizing that the individual believer should be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in him?

Consider for a moment all of the commands and instructions that the 12 were given when they were alone with the Lord. Is it possible for us to separate out/isolate the commands concerning witnessing, evangelism and/or apologetics (as ones that were specifically meant just for the 12) while, at the same time, continuing to believe that all of the other commands and instructions that they were given were meant for them AND us too

One last thought about this, while it's clear that the Lord sent the 12 Apostles out to proclaim the Kingdom and share the Gospel, He also did the same with 70 of His disciples .. Luke 10:1-20. This tells us that the rank and file of the church, not just the leaders, were involved from the beginning.

Could being ready to give an answer may involve giving an answer when opportunities arise, as opposed to the more active role of evangelizing that might include going to preach in a public marketplace?

Of course. In fact, I believe that that is the normal way that witnessing happens (one person talking to another person, that is).

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy

 

[GWH]

This passage has been dubbed the Great Commission:

Matthew 28
18 ;And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I grew up in a church environment that assumed this was a command for all believers. However, I have heard that not all churches have always heard this view. There used to be antimissionary hymns, including one along the lines of the apostles were sent into all the world, but you, stay where you are... that sort of thing.

But I don't notice in epistles written to churches, that Paul or other apostles condemned or put pressure on people for not evangelizing, while Paul made much of his own call to do so.

Peter did tell us this.

I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I have also see this passage treated as a command to al believers, though it is directed at the twelve.

Matthew 10
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

I've seen it treated as if it were a command to all believers.

But I haven't seen it done so much with the rest of the passage, part of which is quoted below.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

If we are commanded to heal the sick and raise the dead based on this passage, is it forbidden to have a wallet with cash in it while doing so? And do each and every one of us have the right to impose hospitality on people or else they incur judgment?

Did this set of instructions apply to the apostles for a lifetime, or only for this journey? Apparently, they used money at other times.

Can we view 'the great commission' as something that _applies_ in a sense to the church, though the direct command was to the eleven, while recognizing that the individual believer should be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in him?

Could being ready to give an answer may involve giving an answer when opportunities arise, as opposed to the more active role of evangelizing that might include going to preach in a public marketplace?

If we have different gifts and functions, could it be harmful to put the requirements of an apostle on all believers.

The Great Commission (as you go about your life, witness for Christ as you have opportunity) applies to every Christian: parents should evangelize their children, and everyone should be ready to explain why they hope for heaven per 1Pet. 3:15.

 

[timf]

The Great Commission was given the the disciples consistent with the original purpose of Israel to be a nation of priests that would bring the knowledge of God to the whole world. Since Israel failed to receive the earthly kingdom at the time of Jesus, this particular function was placed on hold until the time of the tribulation allows it to continue.

In the mean time, those who feel the call of God to share their faith with others. do so. Yes, the command to evangelize is abused as much as the practice of tithing by ministers using the power of the flesh to advance their organizational systems through bullying their members.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

The Great Commission was given the the disciples consistent with the original purpose of Israel to be a nation of priests that would bring the knowledge of God to the whole world. Since Israel failed to receive the earthly kingdom at the time of Jesus, this particular function was placed on hold until the time of the tribulation allows it to continue.

In the mean time, those who feel the call of God to share their faith with others. do so. Yes, the command to evangelize is abused as much as the practice of tithing by ministers using the power of the flesh to advance their organizational systems through bullying their members.

No it wasn't placed on hold until modern times; it was fulfilled in the remnant of Israel that believed, as witnessed by Peter.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9​

This is the fulfillment of the following verse that was denied the nation as a whole because of unbelief. This promise was put on hold until the believing remnant would become the holy nation of God in Christ.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5-6​

 

[Deuteronomy]

Hello again @presidente, here are a couple more passages to consider (showing us that it is not just the leadership of the church, but the laity as well, who need to be involved in sharing the Good News with those who so desperately need to hear it .. e.g. Romans 10:17)

Palm Sunday

Luke 19​

37 As He approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of His disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen.​

38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” ​

39 But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” ​

40 Jesus answered and said to them, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”​

Following the martyrdom of Stephen

Acts 8​

1 Now Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. ​

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. ​

2 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. ​

3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison. ​

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered abroad went about proclaiming the good news of the word. ​

There are, of course, many more verses/passages to consider, but this is enough for now.

~Deuteronomy
p.s. - a number of evangelists, who I have great respect for, believe and teach that our success (in witnessing, evangelism and apologetics) should be measured not by the number of people who come all the to true, saving faith when we witness to them, but by the number of the seeds that we plant or water along the way (e.g. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8). I agree with this idea & find it helpful too

​

 

[Anchorite]

If you care about other people getting saved, and not going to hell, you will share your faith, serve as a pastor or an evangelist, or become a missionary.

 

[NightTwister]

If you care about other people getting saved, and not going to hell, you will share your faith, serve as a pastor or an evangelist, or become a missionary.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. -- James 3:1 ESV

 

[Anchorite]

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. -- James 3:1 ESV

Verse does not say we should not share our faith.

And every time you post something here, you are acting as a teacher.

 

[NightTwister]

Verse does not say we should not share our faith.

And every time you post something here, you are acting as a teacher.

You said become a pastor, evangelist or missionary. All of those are teaching positions.

 

[Anchorite]

You said become a pastor, evangelist or missionary. All of those are teaching positions.

You left out “share your faith” and you are scrambling the terms. You might as well say a church janitor is a teacher who teaches cleaning skills.


Ephesians 4:11 separates the functions.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;


2 Timothy 2:24

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

 

[Blade]

Hi.. I agree "Everyone Saved has a reason to tell someone" I was going to say.. its just in me.. you have to. Its like seeing an Ambulance go by or such and your 1st thought is to pray.

I will say going to work or school or you name it.. and you through your life share Jesus. You share what He has done for you .. your doing what He said. Yet there is as others said those called Eph 4:11

 

[Deuteronomy]

Hello again @presidente, et al, here is one last thought (about a believer's great need to be a witness, that is), if we don't choose to share our faith with others, like others chose to do with us, how will those who are still outside of Christ know who He is and why they need Him to be their Savior

Missionaries and pastors lead some to saving faith, of course, but while the number of unbelievers in the world today is VAST, the number of fulltime missionaries and pastors is anything but.

This is one of the principal reasons that church leadership, missionaries included, are in the business of equipping the saints under them for service, because, by themselves (w/o the laity involved IOW), the "professionals" could never hope to reach more than a very small number of the billions today who have never heard of Him, much less how much they need Him to be their Savior and why .. e.g. Romans 10:17).

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy

"Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ"
Romans 10:17​