We have been taking a look at the many times during His earthly ministry when Jesus told others to Not tell about the great works He was doing; many were instructed to keep the things He had done secret. I think we have all arrived at some very reasonable reasons why Jesus issued these instructions over the course of a couple of weeks.
It also seems clear that, at some point, Jesus changed this instruction and then commanded people to go out and tell as many as they could. Two questions seem to arise: 1. Why did this change, and 2. Who was instructed to go tell?
What changed?
Obviously, the biggest thing that changed was the resurrection. This event established clearly just who Jesus was; it established clearly that He was, in fact, The Messiah. Before, seemingly to avoid too much attention on only His miracles, Jesus commanded that these things sometimes be kept quiet. Now, it was time to tell the world.
Peter clearly revealed the nature of who Jesus was during his famous sermon on the day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Jesus, appearing to some disciples after His resurrection, taught them that they now knew all of Him they needed to know and that their teaching was complete:
Luke 24:44-48 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things
His instructions soon became explicit to those who followed Him.
At the Last Supper Jesus informed those present:
John 15:27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
At His Ascension, He told them:
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
So, we can clearly see that Jesus’ instructions changed; now His followers were instructed to tell His message far and wide, and to everybody. Only one question remains.
Who is supposed to go? Are all believers to be witnesses?
Yes.
That seems simple, right? Well perhaps it is, yet to some it is not. Allow me to explain. There seems some thoughts out there about just who is to tell the world about Jesus. This is not going to be deep theology here, just some simple thoughts as revealed in God’s Word to us.
Some say, that the Great Commission was only delivered to the Apostles. In other words, when Jesus said these words:
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inb the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
that He was only speaking to those directly assembled with Him, and that the instructions do not apply us today. Well, yes, technically Jesus was in fact speaking to the Apostles. Just because this message was given to the Apostles does not mean it was only for the Apostles. I would suggest we should be careful in applying that logic to things Jesus and other writers said to specific people; using that thinking we could lay claim large parts of God’s Word not being applicable to us, as “Well, that writer was only talking to ________ there, not us.” While directed at those present, there in nothing overall to indicate that we are released from this instruction today. In fact, if we place it into relation to some of the words we talked about earlier in the post, it is pretty evident there is no restriction on the “who,” here.
There seems to be some concern by some that we aren’t all evangelists, given the gift of Evangelism as put for in Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
There are a couple of issues here. Sure, not all are called to occupy any official office or position as “evangelist.” So what? Nothing there says we are released from the obligation to practice evangelism, or to be witnesses for Jesus. This is true no more than saying not being given the gift of helps means we don’t have to help, or not being given the gift of prayer means we don’t have to pray.
In summary, the command for believers applies to us all. We don’t always like it, and sometimes would rather be exempt from it; nonetheless, we are all subject to it.
What are your thoughts on this?
Next: If the command to “go,” is for all of us, why don’t we?
July 18, 2016 at 07:11
When He gave the great commission He was talking to His Disciples in and us who follow Him.
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July 18, 2016 at 07:20
Amen and thanks for the input!
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July 18, 2016 at 07:30
Wally, I only shared the Gospel twice in the first 7 years and 2 days after God graced me with salvation… I had somehow taken back control from the Holy Spirit until 6/04/2009… I am living proof that it is the power of the Holy Spirit motivating the heart of the Christian who allows Him total control of their lives…that will give the Christian not only the confidence to share their own testimony and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… But He will give us the opportunity and the right words to speak when we pray for opportunities to share our faith…
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July 18, 2016 at 07:38
Well said Bruce and thanks
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July 18, 2016 at 08:27
Solid teaching Wally. I know for sure that I am NOT an evangelist because I have not received that gift from the Holy Spirit. However, I can sure witness to what Yeshua has done in my life as did the man born blind in John 9. That’s a tremendous passage on how to witness by the way.
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July 18, 2016 at 08:32
Exactly Don! Now I head over to that passage thanks
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July 18, 2016 at 08:35
I think the command is for all of us but many don’t go out of fear. We live in a time when witnessing is not always easy to do so people pass.
Evangelism is not everyone’s gift either so a few pass because of that.
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July 18, 2016 at 08:50
Good points James and you have given me fodder for next time. Thanks!
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July 18, 2016 at 08:53
Glad I could help. Can’t wait for next time.
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July 18, 2016 at 12:55
Here I am Lord, send me!!
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July 18, 2016 at 13:29
Awesome John thanks.
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July 18, 2016 at 14:08
Well…as written above He gave some to be Apostle, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers FOR THE EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY and the edifying of the Body of Christ! (Ephesians 4:12). Last I checked, telling the world about Jesus was a work of the ministry. If you look at it according to verse 12, it is the NON-Five fold that it appears has the greater calling to evangelize the world.
Also, the difference between us and the first disciples…also mentioned above…was that they were to tarry in Jerusalem until endued with power. They were the initial recipients of the Holy Spirit being poured out upon all flesh. Peter was still the same ole weak Peter Jesus walked with until the day of Pentecost. After Pentecost, we saw Spirit filled Peter. That same outpouring is available to us today.
But notice this….Not all 120 in the upper room were of the five fold ministry. Yet, they were equally empowered by the Holy Spirit. I could go on but this is your soap box 🙂
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July 18, 2016 at 14:33
Well since you seem to be saying the job belongs to all of us you are welcome to use my soap box brother
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July 18, 2016 at 14:35
lol…that is what I’m saying…
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July 18, 2016 at 14:51
I thought so and loved that explanation by the way
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July 18, 2016 at 14:37
By the way…I have this bad habit of jumping ahead of my computer and liking my own comments. That is just wrong in so many ways…sigh
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July 18, 2016 at 14:53
Well don’t feel bad I have followed myself numerous times lol
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July 19, 2016 at 02:32
I agree with both the conclusion to your two questions
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July 19, 2016 at 04:16
Thanks brother Jim
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July 19, 2016 at 21:48
Wally, I have found it hard to witness about Christ while in full backslide. Active addiction complicated the matter even further. If I am not walking in the Spirit, if I am cut off from God, I am devoid of the power needed to overcome fear. As humans, we hate rejection. For me, that is one reason I am in awe of what Jesus went through. Also, we tend to be self-centered by nature. It is only by getting God from my head to my heart that I am able to speak about Him with any courage or conviction. I have always been convicted by the Scripture, “Out of the abundance of the heart man speaks.” Thanks for such a great post.
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July 20, 2016 at 04:40
And thank you for adding that. I am going to post about why we don’t “go”, and had a little list of ideas. Now, I can add one. Of course, if we aren’t right with God ourselves, we are probably not going to be telling it! Good point.
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July 29, 2016 at 10:24
I love how the Lord is using us to share the Word of God! Bless you and your Work
I have began to use mine for ministry purposes of course. It is really great to see God using people to paint many pictures of truth and in our own way.
I am looking to become a Christian Writer, at least helping me with my teaching gifts, and inspirational spirit from God!. If you could take the time to check out some of mine as well and share them with others. I pray that it blesses you always. In Jesus name.
Thank you so much Daniel Byzewski
https://godheaddisciplesjourney.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/be-anchored-today-in-the-word/
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July 29, 2016 at 10:41
I will check that out, thanks!
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July 21, 2016 at 12:02
Thanks for sharing brother
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