Christ’s Great Commission to His Disciples as outlined here:
Regardless of whether fools have made it into a sport, this command needs to be fulfilled. If it is being fulfilled in an unworthy manner, then those fools doing so are responsible from their own sin. Paul was not really concerned about the Gospel being proclaimed out of ill motive, only that it was indeed preached.
I appreciate the reply. But isn't there a big difference between one of the Chosen "Apostles of Christ", and a "Disciple" of Christ?
Apostle means "Ἀπόστολος" means "messenger, he that is sent". (Strongs) John the Baptist would have Also been an Apostle, Yes?
While Disciple " μαθητής", means "properly, a
learner; a
disciple, a
follower of Christ who
learns the doctrines of Scripture and the lifestyle they require". (Strongs)
And Paul told "Disciples" like Timothy, to continue in the Holy Scriptures, (which consisted only of the Law and Prophets in Timothy's Youth), because "
evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" and Specifically warned about men who wanted to be like the Apostles, who "Transform themselves into Apostles of Christ". And Jesus Specifically warned about a future where "Many" that will be teaching that "Jesus" is truly the Christ, shall deceive MANY.
So it seems that the Great commission wasn't for the purpose who creating new teachers, new religions, new philosophies, new traditions, new judgments or new high days, but as Paul told Timothy, he already had his teachers, he just needed
to continue in them in this evil world. Paul confirms this in Rom. 2:6,7 as well as Rom. 11: 22 and 12: 1,2. It seems it was the central theme of his teaching.
And wouldn't the "Motive" of these people, who Paul said are deceived, be irrelevant? Doesn't "deceived" mean to believe something that isn't true?
When Paul was persecuting God's Church and "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, and "full well rejecting the Commandments of God" that he might live by and promote the traditions of men, is there any evidence that he woke up each morning and said in his heart, "Today I will deceive others into becoming "children of disobedience" like me, and become a worse child of hell that he was, and be thrust out of God's Kingdom? I don't believe that someone who is deceived, believes he is being malicious when they promote something about God that isn't true. Have we never experienced believing something we found later to be false?
It seems to me, that according to Scriptures Jesus and the Apostles were to teach folks to turn away from this world's religions, and the teaching of men, and "
that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance", or as Malachi, who was sent by the Holy One of Israel to teach us, said;
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Anyway, food for thought.
Perhaps I am biased by the fact that I learn languages best in classroom, and I want to learn Biblical Hebrew and Greek to better understand the Scriptures in their context. I am also a poet, and it bothers me a bit that I don’t have the original language of the Psalms in my head and can’t truly appreciate the poetry.
I can certainly understand your point here. And the Poetry of David's suffering and Joy, frustrations and steadfastness all wrapped up in the heart of one man, I am humbled to be allowed to hear the Spirit of Christ speak though him. I am sometimes awestruck when I open the Bible and consider the magnitude of what I am witnessing. I am in the presence of the Congregation of the Lord, men who have been touched by the Spirit of the Great and Holy God and Father of all. Men like Noah, Abraham and Caleb, Shadrack, David and Joseph, in whose hearts and mind the Spirit of the Holy One of Israel, the Rock of my Salvation resided. Who prophesied of the Christ that would come, and become the Salvation of them all.
And more than that, I am allowed to hear the first hand witnesses of His anticipated arrival, that Zacharias, Simeon and Anna all waited for, and were allowed by God to see Him before HE even became a man.
And God, in His unfathomable Mercy and Love, gave these men, actually sent these men, to teach me in the way that I should go.
The greatest classroom ever to be built, which exists without one stick of wood, or one brick or stone.
I truly do understand your reference for the Poetry in it all.
At any rate, I wasn’t aware of the wide variety of missions in New Guinea - thank you for telling me about that. I was thinking of New Tribes Mission. I have no reason to believe that other denominational missions do not preach the Gospel as explained in Romans 10:9-11, or indeed the entire book of Romans, which explains the Gospel: Sin —> Law and Israel—> The Gospel and regeneration —> new life in Christ.
Just remember, if I may be so bold as to remind folks, that the Gospel Paul taught, was given to every man under heaven. It was given to Israel in the Wilderness. And as Paul teaches in Romans 1, it is found in the Law and Prophets wherein it is written, "The Just shall Live by Faith". And there is no excuse for those who knew God, but Glorified NOT "as God", "
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them".
Abram was given the Gospel of "regeneration" and HE believed it, and became the New Man, Abraham. This is truly the Gospel of Christ, the Rock that fed and watered Israel. As the Spirit of Christ teaches through Ezekiel;
Ex. 18:
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
When I was younger I memorized the Scripture verses adults told me were important; but as an adult I tend to view the Scripture in bigger themes and larger passages.
Which would be evidence of one growing in the knowledge of God. I am a nobody, just a man, but I have come to believe this growth continues until the end of this life, at least it is supposed to.
I have no such belief. The Apostles came and are gone now. Anyone today who claims to be an Apostle is lying, as you have demonstrated through your Scripture quotation.
Yes, they are gone, but their teaching, along with the Prophets God also sent, is still here. In our home and mine. I think God did this for us, that we might choose to "Live by" His Every Inspired Word. I find this reality humbling in it's scope.
No, it is because I have been personally hurt by his Biblical Counseling theology which I believe to be a violation of the clear teaching of the Book of Job. People failed to help me when I was in distress as result of this teaching, and it prolonged my suffering.
Besides that, I read his book Think Biblically and the commands and obligations he wants to heap onto women that are unbiblical. Proverbs 31 is a poem, wisdom, not a law.
He also has picked fights with other denominations, as I stated previously. There’s just no need to antagonize people for no reason.
I have personally never read his books. I don't read any publications from any of this world's preachers. In my understanding, Jesus and Paul warned me not to and instructed me as to whose Words to continue in and trust to Live by. But I do agree with you, because what little I know of his teaching, would turn me away from the Truth of the Gospel as defined by the Holy Scriptures, which I believe would cause me great harm as well.
I thank you for the thoughtful reply, and the sharing of your genuine thoughts. I believe it is good for believers to have discussion concerning these things.
Thank you for sharing.
May we all continue learning and growing ✝
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