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This is a question I have been thinking a lot about, also Para Church Ministries and how it ties together. That's why I purchased The Gospel Commission by Michael Horton. Hoping to get some good answers.
I thought it was as Joshua stated above, but many people seem to disagree with me on this subject.
To the Apostles directly and consequently to officers/ministers of the Gospel. Obviously not to the Apostles only, since they wouldn't get to all nations to baptize them before dying themselves. Obviously not to all Christians without exception since some are - by default - not authorized to be teachers and administers of Baptism. The Lord Jesus alludes to His own commission given by the Father to Himself ("All power is given unto me . . . Therefore) and subsequently gives the Apostles the authority to do what He commands them in His commission to them.-To the Apostles only?
-To the Church Universal through the Apostles?
-To the local church?
What implications does this have for missions?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.
How does this fit in? I have been leading a group and teaching them how to share the gospel. This is under the care of my Pastor and Church. Does that mean I am ordained to do this? My Pastor has been present the last few times I have been teaching it.
To whom was the Great Commission given?
To whom was the Great Commission given?
To the Apostles first and all ministers who follow.
The above are portions from Erroll Hulse's article 'The Local Church and Evangelism'.We are to teach all truth,... evangelism emanates from the life of the Church for the enlargement of none other than the Church. Furthermore, the body of truth upon which evangelism is based is entrusted to the Church which is "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). The truth, together with the authority to propagate, defend and maintain it, is vested in the Church alone and the Church alone is commissioned to evangelize by taking the teaching to all nations, and by preaching the Gospel to every creature. The converts or disciples that are made are added to the parent body by baptism and each one is subject to the discipline of the elders of that body.
Each member of the Church has a function. (Rom. 12:4, the word "office" is better translated function from the Greek word prazin; I Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:16.)... The whole local church is involved. All members evangelize by life and lip and support some of their number who have been recognized and set apart, not only for the oversight and the maintenance of discipline, but for the public preaching of the Word. Care is taken to fulfil the high standards of correct doctrine insisted upon by the Scriptures (Acts 20:27-32; 1 Tim. 4:16; Titus 1:9 and 2:1). Those recognized in this way lead the flock in evangelism. The work is a corporate work and the elders or leaders do not act independently but see every member as having some part to play.
(Mat 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.
(2Ti 2:2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
(Joh 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
(Joh 7:37) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
(Joh 7:38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(Joh 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
6. Evangelism is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord as he is offered in the Gospel. Christ laid the responsibility upon the whole Church to make this proclamation. The task is not restricted to ordained officers. Each member is to take his share of the responsibility according to the gifts God has given him.
7. Those evangelizing should use all available means consistent with the Bible so that every person may be given the opportunity to hear, understand, and receive the Gospel. While guarding against undue pressure, we must urge men to be reconciled to God.
8. Evangelism is not only to seek the conversion of sinners but also to build them up to become effective in the Church's continuing task.
9. The Great Commission requires the Church to take the whole Gospel to the whole world. The Bible recognizes the legitimacy of diverse cultures. Every culture is to be transformed and made subject to Christ through redeemed men, all for the glory of God.
10. Wherever consistent with faithfulness to God's truth, different branches of the visible church should cooperate in evangelism to strengthen their witness by demonstrating their unity in Christ.
The 1689 allows for others besides merely ministers to baptize
The 1689 allows for others besides merely ministers to baptize
I did not realize this. Does the 1689 allow for non-ministers to preach as well? I ask out of ignorance.
Chapter 26. 11
11. Although it is the duty of the elders or pastors of the churches, according to their office, to be constantly active in preaching the Word, yet such a work is not to be regarded as confined wholly to them, for the Holy Spirit may qualify others for the same work by giving them the necessary gifts. In this case, when such men are approved and called to the work by the church, they may and ought to perform it.
Act_11:19-21; 1Pe_4:10-11.
To whom was the Great Commission given?
To the Apostles first and all ministers who follow.
The 1689 allows for others besides merely ministers to baptize; therefore, Reformed Baptists must believe the Great Commission may be fulfilled by those other than mere ministers of the Gospel.
It is given to the Church through those it appoints.
Where? LBCF 28.2 says this:
2._____ These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ. (referencing Mat 28 and 1 Cor 4)"Thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ" sounds like church officers to me.
One cannot divorce the command to teach all nations from also the baptizing them. That's just shoddy exegesis.
The person designed by Christ to dispense baptism, the Scripture holds forth to be a disciple; it being no where tied to a particular church officer, or person extraordinarily sent the commission enjoining the administration, being given to them as considered disciples, being men able to preach the gospel.
London Baptist confession of 1689
The Church
13. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.
Savoy Declaration of Faith (1658)
The Church
11. Although it be incumbent on the pastors and teachers of the churches to be instant in preaching the Word, by way of office; yet the work of preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them, but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Ghost for it, and approved (being by lawful ways and means in the providence of God called thereunto) may publicly, ordinarily and constantly perform it; so that they give themselves up thereunto.
One cannot divorce the command to teach all nations from also the baptizing them. That's just shoddy exegesis. I don't mean this as a slight, but it's taking the whole thing out of context. There are no examples of "Lay Preaching" or "Proclamation of the Gospel" apart from being sent and commissioned. Despite the good intentions of much modern day evangelism, I see it as a product of egalitarianism, revivalism a la Finney, and a misunderstanding of "Ministry" proper.
That noted, I appreciate the emphasis that Mr. Hulse puts on evangelism being under the direction of the church and showing how the Gospel is not a 5 minute presentation pressing for a decision. The official ministry of reconciliation falls upon the shoulders of ministers. Lay folk should certainly be engaged in acting and speaking in the gates with Christian fervor, telling others the great things the Lord has done for them, and lovingly addressing the issues of the day while inviting others to church where they may hear the gospel preached, become disciples, and come under the authority of Christ's appointed undershepherds.
Except if we're gonna call what the women, children, and other unauthorized folk are doing evangelism, then we'd better admit that we're defining evangelism in a manner that's foreign from the Scriptures' use of the terminology.
Churches should screen and send out their missionaries by first commisssioning them.
Of course a mother should teach her children, raising them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Those are Christian duties belonging to all parents. Of course we should be forward to speak of what the Lord has done for us in the marketplace, as well as be ready to give a defense of what we believe, etc. Nevertheless, those things are not Evangelism nor are they the Ministry of Reconciliation, nor are they the duties given in the Great Commission.
Dear Pergalicious,
I wouldn't expect you, as a beloved Baptist brother, to agree with me. I don't share your Confession in that regard.so I haven't switched anything. I am nevertheless thrilled to be united with you in the doctrines of Justification by Faith alone, the Holy Trinity, the veracity, infallibility, and inerrancy of the Scriptures, though!
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Weren't there others besides the 11 present at Christ's ascension?
Was the commission given at Christ's ascension? If Matthew 28 and Mark 16 are referencing the same giving of said commission, then it's clear Christ's words were to the Apostles:Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.The end of both aforementioned Gospels seem to imply that this commission was given shortly after the resurrection. I believe that after giving this commission that the Lord spent many days with the Apostles teaching them about the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (i.e. the Church) as referenced in Acts 1:4.