Homer wrote:Hi Robby,
You wrote:
I've responded to your quote in order to help you NOT fail to see anymore. Our witness or "Great Commission", post 70 AD, is of a different nature. It's not about an age ending event, rather, it's about The Father showing the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:7).
Since (you say) the great commission only was pertinent to those spoken to and was in force only until 70 AD, and you also tell us all of the New Testament was written to and for those persons prior to 70 AD, where do we find a commission revealed to anyone post 70 AD? It seems to me Jesus' commission that we read of, being variously described in at least Matthew, Mark, and Luke, is the only commission He gave.
Hi Homer,
The sending forth of The Gospel (The Great Commission) was pertinent to the 1st Century audience BECAUSE of the PENDING AGE ENDING EVENT. What do you mean, "since (you say)"? Stop making this about me and start paying attention to what Yeshua said. Here it is again:
Mark's account: And
HE said unto
THEM, Go
YOU into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature... And
THEY went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with
THEM, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke's account: Then opened
HE THEIR understanding, that
THEY might understand the scriptures, and said unto
THEM... and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
Matthew's account: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
THEM in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching THEM to observe all that I have commanded
YOU. ALL THESE ACCOUNTS ARE CONFLATED
WITH A MEANS TO AN END -
And behold, I am with YOU always, to the end of the age.
One aspect of The Gospel's means entailed a 1st Century Old Covenant END. If you can't see that certain events (surrounding the lifetime of the Apostles) were for a specific people at a specific time, you are not paying close enough attention. Homer, do you have or can you obtain an old church bulletin? I have a couple that's probably at least 7 years old or more. Inside you will find many biblical truths that could apply to all of us, past and present. But what about the events described in the bulletin, such as:
1. The Living Last Supper on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. in The Chapel
2. Sight and Sound fellowship on Saturday, go see Ruth for the details
3. Christian Women of the Chapel donation drive on Friday, at 7:00 a.m.
etc...
Homer, if I gave you this church bulletin to read, and after you've read its exhortations applying to all, and you then start to read about the activities of the church, would you be looking to participate in these events? Especially if I told you this bulletin was 7 years old!
Would you go to see Ruth this Saturday?
Would you be going to the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday for The Living Last Supper?
Of course NOT! Because these events were for a specific people at a specific time. These events have already taken place. This is exactly what' going on when we read The Bible. There are biblical truths which apply to everyone, past and present. But we CANNOT hi-jack specific events which pertain to a specific audience in time almost 2000 years ago. This is nonsensical and a major error, no different than misapplying a 7 year old church bulletin activities.
You also asked, "Where do we find a commission revealed to anyone post 70 AD?" Well post 70 A.D. we have The New Jerusalem and The Bride, which is none other than The Body of Christ, Believers. After the age ending event in 70 A.D. we read in
Rev 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost." So yes, we are "commissioned" to bring others into The Body. Our gospel message does not include an age ending event, rather,
Eph 2:7 "The Father showing the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness in Christ Jesus." Amongst other soul saving good news.
God Bless.