WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMISSION?
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
To this lesson we ask some very interesting and thought-provoking questions in connection with the so-called great commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20: “Go ye therefore, and teach (disciple) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 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.”
Let us note also Christ’s words to the same apostles who received this commission. “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration (millennium) when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 10:23 and Matthew 19:28).
Now note Romans 16:25 and 26: “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
Did the Lord Jesus contemplate Paul’s “my gospel” and the revelation of the mystery when He gave the commission to Peter and the Eleven? Did Christ instruct Paul to preach Mark 16:16 to 18, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and these signs and miracles shall follow them that believe?”
We note in Acts 7 and 8, that Stephen and Philip worked under the authority of Peter and the Eleven. But in Galatians 1:13 to Galatians 2:9 we learn that Paul did not recognize any authority but Christ; and that Paul’s “grace” gospel was received by revelation. (Galatians 1:11 and 12 - Ephesians 3:1 to 3 - Romans 16:25). If Paul was under the great commission, why Galatians 1:11 and 12?
If the twelve apostles were to carry out the great commission by preaching the same gospel of grace, which Paul preached, (Acts 20:24), why did Peter, in Acts 10:28, say, 7 years after the commission was given, it was unlawful for him to preach to Gentiles? Why, after he did preach to Gentiles, did the other eleven apostles condemn him? (Acts 11:1 to 3). This was something more than either prejudice or deliberate disobedience. And why did Peter say to his fellow-apostles, “God chose by my mouth that the Gentiles should hear?” (Acts 15:7). Why not twelve mouths? Why did the twelve apostles remain in Jerusalem when the other disciples went out to preach to Jews only? (Acts 11:19 - Acts 8:1 and Acts 15:1 to 5). Why is there no record in Acts that the Twelve went on missionary journeys outside of the land of the Jews to preach to Gentiles, and no record that any but Peter preached to Gentiles? In the Book of Acts 4 or 5 of Paul’s missionary journeys are recorded. Christ sent Paul far hence to the Gentiles. (Acts 22:21).
Why did Paul say that the gospel was sent to Gentiles because Israel blasphemed and put God’s Word from them? (Acts 13:45 and 46). The great commission says “disciple all nations.” But there is no Scriptural record that the Twelve did this.
Three things must be done by the individual who obeys the great commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20. He must disciple and baptize and teach what Christ had taught the Twelve, which had nothing to do with Ephesians 3:1 to 4, God’s message and program of grace for this age. If a layman disciples under Matthew 28:19 and 20, he should baptize and finish the job, not turn part of it over to the clergyman.
Matthew 28:19 and 20 applied before Israel’s fall. But II Corinthians 5:16 to 21 applied after Israel’s fall.
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