I was reading something today that claimed just that.
What was said is that Colossians 1:3-6 is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19-20. Here are the verses:
Colossians 1:3-6
Matthew 28:19-20
The argument was made that since the gospel has gone to all nations and disciples were made as it says in Colossians then the Great Commission is fulfilled and no longer applies to us today. Has anybody here ever heard of this teaching before? If so, which theologians hold to this?
I obviously don't agree with it. It seems to me to be a hypercalvinistic excuse to avoid doing any mission work and keeping a good conscience about it. Why even preach if this is the case? What arguments would you make to counter such an statement? It seems from my understanding that the Great Commission is not a verse that can be "fulfilled" as it seems to me that it is something that should continuously be done and therefore we won't get to a point when it is finished (until the return of Christ).

Colossians 1:3-6
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit,as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
Matthew 28:19-20
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, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The argument was made that since the gospel has gone to all nations and disciples were made as it says in Colossians then the Great Commission is fulfilled and no longer applies to us today. Has anybody here ever heard of this teaching before? If so, which theologians hold to this?
I obviously don't agree with it. It seems to me to be a hypercalvinistic excuse to avoid doing any mission work and keeping a good conscience about it. Why even preach if this is the case? What arguments would you make to counter such an statement? It seems from my understanding that the Great Commission is not a verse that can be "fulfilled" as it seems to me that it is something that should continuously be done and therefore we won't get to a point when it is finished (until the return of Christ).