GREAT COMMISSION: One basic premise with many who have aligned themselves with the ‘evangelical’ movement, which one could somewhat classify as anyone and everyone that is in any way involved with the proselytization (to convince someone to change their beliefs or way of life to match their own) of others, under some groundless assumption that countless ‘souls’ are perishing and going to ‘hell’ simply because they have not heard the ‘gospel’ being preached is false. But isn’t “getting folks saved” what it’s all about? As ‘disciples’ of the LORD this evangelical charter is the zenith of our existence? There is no calling greater than this sacred work, surpassing all other priorities – no expenses are to be spared in this ‘holy’ endeavor, as souls are being turned into ‘hell’ as we speak, because we have not sent the ‘gospel’ to them – the ‘heathen’ are perishing and we must do everything on our part to fulfill the “great commission,” and other evangelical fables that are never to be questioned, and thus not subject to much scrutiny.
The “great commission.” Everybody recognizes the supreme importance of it. All are agreed! No surprise! Every doctor of divinity, every reverend theologian and professional bible scholar throughout the ‘church’ age, (these entrusted with the “key of knowledge,” Luke 11:52, that “understand all mysteries,” I Corinthians 13:2,) are agreed here! We can consult their commentaries and study their confessions of faith if we have any questions. Let’s hope that there is no bias there, even though most of them were sort of reliant upon that ‘commission’ in order to sustain them in their way, (that is if they were ‘hirelings,’) and give some validity to their calling, so no surprise. We can only expect to find them all agreeing of the importance of this great commission, “as” they have constructed it in their manuals. After all, who would dare to question this obsession with christianity to fulfill what they call the great commission, to question something so obvious, and so tenaciously held to throughout the eons of so-called christian history? I wonder? Perhaps the entire christian world has bought into some huge scam? I honestly don’t know? Something within me says I hope not, but then again, it’s possible isn’t it? Especially as one surveys the carnage of what has taken place in 2000 years of so-called church history, and the conversion-based gospels that are being panhandled about under the name of the christian religion.
What is this so-called great commission? Some sort of a commission that all followers of Christ supposedly have a duty to fulfill, by doing their part in going, or paying others to go, and make disciples, teaching, baptizing, &c., utilizing ministry, missionary work, evangelism, &c., funding bible colleges, theological seminaries, missionary societies, &c., and for what purpose? To fulfill this great commission! After all, this is what christianity is all about. This is the only reason the ‘church’ even exists! Without this there is no purpose! If we remove this pillar, the entire structure will come crashing down on us, and we will have nothing left to do but to worship Christ.
The majority of those who have so ‘sacrificially’ volunteered their services to fulfill this ‘great’ commission are generally under a variety of delusionary tenants, such as the false pretense that all men are redeemable, that salvation is found in conversion, and that all authority in heaven and earth is given unto men to accept or reject the edicts of Christ, calling on men to save themselves, and make their peace with God, and other mindless tactics. Such were never called! This is the driving engine of what the world calls Christianity. It’s doomed, and believers have absolutely nothing in common with this system, and will not support it in the least. The true preaching of the gospel finds its roots in the cross of CHRIST, and to collaborate with those (“the enemies of the cross of Christ,” Philippians 3:18,) who deny its power is to deny that ‘faith’ which we are called upon to proclaim. Anyone proves himself false to Christ, to the very same degree that he has fellowship with the ‘world’ in this ‘disciple’ making business!
(As a quick side note, it seems to me that a very significant number of these “evangelists” consider their fervent commitment and enthusiasm to what they refer to as ‘soul winning’ as a means of securing their own personal assurance. The more passionately they stir up themselves for “winning souls for Jesus” and the more individuals they attract to their belief system, the more “assurance” they derive for themselves. For them it’s a double ‘blessing’! It’s the ultimate mother of all pyramid schemes!)
First and foremost we see that this was a commission received by CHRIST from the FATHER when all power was delegated unto HIM in heaven and in earth, and it goes without saying, that the LORD “who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,” Ephesians 1:11, does not commission his work to anyone else. Christ as that ONE inaugurated and enthroned in his mediatorial capacity, Luke 1:32, was now delegated with “all power” over “all flesh” that he should give eternal life to the “many” that the Father had given unto him. John 17:2. Christ now commissioned in all his mediatorial fullness, and by the promised effusion of the Spirit, consequently authorizes and delegates his chosen disciples (“as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you,” John 20:21,) to proclaim in the ONE name of the FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT, on the behalf of God’s elect, (for whom it is designed, and to whom the Spirit of the Lord sends it, Acts 13:26,) this message of “reconciliation,” II Corinthians 5:18, otherwise known as the “gospel of peace,” Romans 10:15, or the “glad tidings” of what was consummated at the cross, otherwise known as of the preaching of Christ crucified. I Corinthians 2:2.
Additionally, we also might ask ourselves, to whom did Christ say, “go ye”? The chosen disciples of our Lord, whom he had now specifically empowered and qualified for the work. And there is not a word here about sending others? In fact, I might be wrong here, (I’m shamefully too lazy to research it at the moment,) but I don’t believe that any of the New Testament Epistles say anything about making new churches, or sending out missionaries to foreign lands? If this was their number one task, would not this have been addressed?
Ever wonder why all this missionary activity is completely absent from the Old Testament? Instead of “goat herding” all the gentile nations together under some delusional hypothesis that this is what the LORD required, we discover the exact opposite. Their mandate was to “overthrow their altars,” “break their pillars,” “burn their groves with fire,” and “hew down the graven images of their gods,” Deuteronomy 12:2, to never “bow down to their gods,” or “do after their works,” to “utterly overthrow them.” Exodus 23:24. What? No missionaries being sent forth to evangelize the surrounding nations with some feigned and pretend love that is supposed to encapsulate all? The word of the LORD was never sent to the nations abroad, as it was not intended for them. Nothing has changed! “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” Luke 8:10. “Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” John 12:38-40.
“The Lord knoweth them that are his,” and knows exactly where they reside! Precisely where he has placed them, whether it be in Jerusalem, Luke 2:25, Samaria, John 4:7, or under a fig tree. John 1:48. “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” Ezekiel 34:11-12. Those reserved, distinguished and secured by the grace of election, in the hands of Christ, in whom they were chosen, and in whom they were blessed with all spiritual blessings all come to believe the gospel. “They shall hear my voice.” John 10:16.
Romans speaks with such heavenly splendor and gospel clarity of “HIM” that was of power to establish them (not to save them, beget them, &c., as they were already believers,) according to the gospel declaration – “the preaching of JESUS CHRIST” – Yes, this ONE commissioned by the Father. This ONE who not only fulfilled every commission, but met every condition, this ONE who once in the end of the world “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,” Hebrews 9:26, this ONE commissioned by the Father, (“to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice,” John 18:37,) and it goes on to say in that passage, who now was “made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” Romans 16:25-26. All nations! Sounds pretty comprehensive! But what about the Chinese, the Indians, and lands far removed from the testimony of this gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ? What about them? Have you heard the gospel? GOD is GOD! Fall down and “worship at his footstool.” Psalm 99:5. God does not owe anyone an opportunity to hear the gospel, it’s entirely his mercy & grace that He has placed his children in a place where they will hear the gospel, and be conducted in the way of Christ! “But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” Romans 10:18. MPJ