Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
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.
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Yes it is still mystifying why you would take an awesome work like the gospel of Matthew that concludes with this incredible commission to all with such great promises, and then pull the rug out from everyone and say "oh that was just a FYI".
Of course there are still those whose calling is to spread the gospel in the way of livelihood. What about Billy Graham? However, I don't read the great commission to mean that everyone has to be a traveling evangelist. If a church has a gospel meeting and you bring someone, or you pray for that meeting, or you shepherd someone at that meeting, or you share a word, or you help serve in that meeting, etc. then I feel that is in line with the great commission. If you have a home meeting where you are teaching new believers the truth that is in line. If you have a Bible study at work, or if you are fellowshipping with a coworker. If you give money for the gospel work that is in line with the great commission. There are many, many ways that the saints in the Body of Christ can function, not all are Paul, not all are Peter, but all have been called.
The Lord said "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". Did the word Man here only refer to Peter and Paul or to me and you as well? You think that by saying the great commission at the end of Matthew is not written for all can not be limited to a couple of verses. It dramatically changes the way you would read the entire gospel. If you are saying that "not all are Paul" that is according to the truth. If you are saying that the promises in Matt 28 are not for all Christians, that is "a different gospel" warned of in Galatians.