Question about "The Great Commission"

[_Perry]

Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Mat 28:17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
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.

Is this directive to go into the whole world and preach the gospel a commission to each and every Christian, or is Jesus speaking to the eleven specifically?

[Guest]

i just finished steve's life of christ series, and i am pretty sure he felt it was to the disciples only (since they were the ones standing there." I believe other people are specifically called to go into all the world.

i do believe, however, that each of us is under some obligation to spread the good news, which can mean different things to different people,

TK

[_Perry]

i just finished steve's life of christ series...

That's interesting. It was the LOC series that inspired the question. This morning was tape 3-2b, which was where the disciples are named in the gospels. Particularly...

Mar 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Mar 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Which seems to suggest the original disciples only. I know that on the fringes of Christianity there are groups who suggest snake handling and poison drinking is what we're called to, but that's certainly not mainstream.

On the other hand, I've heard many a sermon where the verses in Matthew 28 are read out as though they are the responsibility of every Christian... something which always makes me a touch uncomfortable, since I've never felt the evangelistic urge.

I've also seen the following verse used as an arguement that the great commission has already been fulfilled.

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Perry

[Guest]

Other verses of note

Mark 16:20, as you mentioned
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Colossians 1:23, as you quoted
This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Acts 2:5, seeing as who was there and from where they came
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

Rom 16:25-26
the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him

Col 1:5-6
you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing

All that being said, while I believe the great commission given specifically and was fulfilled in a large sense in the original evangelization of the Apostles, I also think that, in general, the command to evangelize applies today to the church (as a whole, not necessarily individual members)

[_Perry]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your reponses.

Perry

[Guest]

I also think that, in general, the command to evangelize applies today to the church (as a whole, not necessarily individual members)

I agree with this. When I first became a Christian (way back 3yrs ago), I taught an evangelism class at the church I used to go to. I really went for making people feel bad that they were not doing evangelism, (this was a very weak spot in that assembly), but then I realized that not all are called to evangelism, because not all are evangelists.

I do think that the commision to body of Christ as a whole is to spread the Gospel, but there are many ways of doing that besides "cold" evangelism (going up to a stranger and sharing the gospel). We should all of course never back down from an opportunity to share the gospel, and should be prepared to do so, but not all are evangelists in thier calling. No more than all are teachers, helpers, prophets, etc... We should all be willing to teach, help, seek for prophesy, etc. on some level though.

God bless,