"Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." (Matthew 28:19, 20 | NWT)
The Society uses the above scripture to support the idea that each individual Christian has a personal commission to preach and teach to their fellowman. Adding to their argument is the fact that Acts, and the Epistles, appear to support this idea. They tell the story of a group of dedicated (though not always united) men, giving their lives in service to their God. Surely, then, this should be the model for modern-day Christians seeking to follow the first-century ways, right? Every person who calls themselves a Christian should be out pounding the pavement, right?
Right?
Another way of reading this, however, is that Christianity as a whole was given a commission to preach and teach. That the work should be accomplished by Christians in aggregate. After all, not everyone has the ability and temperament to preach, do they? Some people might do more harm than good in their fumbling attempts. Perhaps Jesus really meant that, while Christianity's goal as a united group was to preach, individuals might do other activities in support of that goal.
And too, we are to consider that the New Testament for the most part tells the story, not of the rank and file, not of the average Christian, but of the shining lights, the luminaries, the superstars of first-century Christianity. Was everyone expected to go on missionary tours? Was everyone expected to go to the synagogue and orate? By the same token, should we expect every modern Christian to be Paul? Or Peter? Or John?
What do you think?
Do you think Jesus gave every Christian a personal commission to preach?
by under_believer 21 Replies latest jw friends
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under_believer
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Leolaia
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to anotherfaith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ....Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?" (1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 27-30).
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Gopher
Ephesians 4:11 says "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers...".
If all Christians were supposed to be evangelists, then why does this verse say "some"? This is something that bothered me even while I was a faithful JW.
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Pubsinger
I agree with you.
It's in the definition of the word "preach". The "Great Commission" of Matt 28 said "go and make disciples" Matt 24:14 said "the good news would be preached"
Later on when discussing spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. Paul said "some as teachers, some as. . " suggesting that as you say not all were gifted as evangelisers, preachers or public speakers but everyone had a gift to use.
St Francis of Assisi (sp?) is reputed to have said "preach the gospel wherever you go. If necessary use words"
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Tyrone van leyen
The main message and command of Jesus, if he in fact if he existed was to love one another. There are many that couldn't read or understand his words. How is it they therfore could be preached to? There wasn't any writing either, so it was more actions than words that counted in my opinion.Love is a message that anyone can understand and show. This is in itself preaching and is a far more powerful message. I simplify it by saying " here's a hug, I understand and care pass it on". We don't get into the letter of the law but rather the spirit of the law. I beleive this can still be possible without a figurehead to enforce it as well. The great dicovery of this man Jesus, was love and he wanted it written in their hearts, not their heads.
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TopHat
Why didn't you know? It is the GB that decides who is a prophet and who knock on doors.
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M.J.
Matt 28:19-20 is addressed to the disciples, so the WTS reasons, it applies to each Christian personally.
Matt 24:45-51 ("who is the faithful and wise servant...") is addressed to the disciples, but the WTS reasons, it does NOT apply to each Christian personally.
I'm sure there are more examples.
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M.J.
I think this topic is relevant to the discussion: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/104861/1.ashx
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greendawn
As said above the body of the church has members of different form and function and preaching is just one of several functions. That all christians engaged in unsolicited preaching is part of the JW mythology though surely any christian would talk about his faith if someone interested requested such information. Otherwise the chaste way of Christian living was another powerful form of -non verbal- preaching. The devious FDS wants to sell his books and mags, that's the one and only reason why he pushes the preaching activity so much with cunning words.
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zack
The commision from Christ, as Tyrone said, was to love God and love one another. The WTS and others beat the drum about "preaching" but what Jesus
said at Matthew 28:19,20 was to make disciples "teaching them to observe the things I have commanded you." Which was, to LOVE one anoother, cause only
in that way would others know that they were his disciples.
If you live your life and obey Jesus words, isn't your example in and of itself a witness? A more potent witness than words?