Quote:
Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah
Who was the book of Matthew written to? Surely the gospel wasn't written for the 12. What is the purpose of sharing something the Lord spoke to the 12, as a concluding word to the Gospel, if that word is not for all that are reading the book?
I am mystified by this interpretation. Could you elaborate a little on what this does to the reading of the book of Matthew?
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Let's elaborate.
Do you think that everything is equally applicable to everyone because it was written down and included in the scriptures? Does a specific, particular promise made to someone become something that we can all bank on if we can dredge up enough "faith"?
The qualifications for elder are given by Paul, once in some detail, and then little bits and pieces in other places that enhance the understanding. Since it is known how an elder should be, do we declare that all should be the same? Is there a serious spiritual deficiency for those believers whose background is such that they cannot ever be an elder (for example, they are divorced and remarried)?
Why would it be recorded in Matthew for all to read if it was intended as a charge only to certain ones? I can imagine at least one better-then-plausible reason — to make it known to those who would follow that the people who are quite possibly living off the gifts of others (at least partly) are not just in it for a cushy life that requires no hard labor. That they are commissioned to serve the others. That no one should just assume they are "hirelings" because they might actually be paid (or sort of paid). Remember, while Paul did do work to earn his own way, he also received help from the churches he had planted. It wasn't demanded, but it was appreciated and was helpful — maybe even necessary in some cases.
I would not assert that there is no way that the "great commission" is written to the average Christian. But unless we start with a paradigm/lens that refuses the idea that some passages are not really intended for everyone — at least in terms of command, promise, etc. — then there has to be a question as to why it was not among a larger group of those who saw Jesus after his resurrection that he made this charge. In fact, the very wording of the passage seems to indicate that Jesus intentionally sent the 11, not everyone else, to a particular place to make this statement. To simply declare that because it is written means it is a commission to everyone seems presumptuous at best. It flies in the face of the account.
And who was Paul saying would build with wood, hay, and stubble, or with gold, silver, and precious stones in 1 Cor 3? He wrote it to all of us. Does that mean it is to us all? Yes, what it is talking about is for all of us to read and understand. But the comments about building were not about what the Corinthians were doing, but what those "names" were doing. You know, Paul, Cephas, Apollos, etc. Those were the builders.
Is it still mystifying? Can you find no reason to record a commission to the 11 (12) for everyone to read? Are there still those whose calling is to spread the gospel in the way of a livelihood? Might they need to be reminded of the core of that commission/calling? Make disciples. Baptize. Teach to obey.
It wouldn't be the only place that the words recorded in scripture were intended as commands for less than everyone that might eventually read it.