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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:41:47 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:42:02 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:43:29 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:43:43 GMT -5
WAS THE "Great Commission" given uniquely to the eleven Apostle? The so-called Great Commission is a reference Jesus command given in Matthew 28:19 to preach the good news worldwide. Some suggest command was given uniquely to Jesus eleven Apostles and is not applicable to the wider Christian community. Firstly it should be noted that it is likely that Jesus addressed more than the faithful eleven at Matthew 28:16-20. The passage speaks of these words being spoken in Galilee. While only the eleven were present for Jesus final ascension, this happened miles to the south near Jesusalem, not in Galilee. Adding to the case, is the fact that Matthew notes the presence of doubters in the audience. All the eleven had had their doubts dispelled by Jesus appearances to them by the end of the second week in, or near Jerusalem, so there must have been others in attendance at this Galilean appearance. (Paul speaks of upwards of 500 brothers being present at one time, so this Galilean appearance may well have been what he (Paul) was alluding to). Further, Jesus had earlier already mentioned his desire that his disciples carried out a global preaching campaign, note what Luke reports Jesus saying to the "the Eleven and those assembled together with them" (Luke 24:33): So the "you" of Luke 24:48 was not limited to the faithful eleven, other believers were also expected to preach to "all the nations". QUESTION Did the "commission" apply to Christians who had not personally witnessed the resurrected Jesus? There is much evidence that the early Christians were evanegizers, for example when Christian men and women were scatter to Sameria and beyond by persecution we read The Apostle Paul urged Timothy, who was far too young to have been a Witness of the resurrection, to "Preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Indeed some years later Paul spoke of the "good news that .... was preached in all creation under heaven". Logically this was accomplished by many who were not themselves present when Jesus had given the commission to preach but nevertheless had viewed it encombrant on them to do so. Preaching a "sign of the end" Further evidence that the COMISSION to preach was not limited to the eleven faithful disciples is found at Matthew 24:14. This verse is part of a prophecy that identifies the period that leads him to the destruction of the world system of things. We again not that Jesus includes a global preaching activity. An examination of the context indicates this prophecy began to be fulfilled in the 20th century (long after the faithful eleven had died) evidently by Christians that understood that the commission to preach would apply to all Christian believers. FURTHER READING All True Christians Are Evangelizerswol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002002
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:43:57 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:45:10 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:45:29 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:45:42 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:55:23 GMT -5
MOTIVATION
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 11:55:37 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 12:01:25 GMT -5
Bb
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 12:01:52 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 12:02:06 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2015 12:03:11 GMT -5
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