The Doctrine of the Church continued.
The Great Commission
(Matt. 28:16-20 KJV)
- Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
- And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
These eleven disciples are of the original twelve Apostles. The above verses are universally regarded as the Great Commission given to the Church which Jesus had built.
Now the question is; did Jesus give the commission to the Church corporate or to disciples as individuals? The answer has a far reaching consequence. If the eleven disciples stood in proxy for all Christians, then every Christian has been commissioned to make other disciples, have authority to Baptize, and to teach them. It is implied that not only are they simply to do these things but they are compelled to do them without any required level of competence. If a ten year old child is saved would he have the right to baptize? And not just the right but the obligation to baptize? And then to teach others? Teach them what? What does a newly born again child of God know? He or she has no understanding to pass on.
We ask again, if all Christians are the recipients of the Church Commission what is it they are to teach? The whole body of Christians agree on very little. What are the doctrines of all these Christians? Academically the doctrines must include all the beliefs of every Christian. This is not harmony but chaos. The question Must be asked: What are the doctrines of the church containing all the saved?
Let us consider that it was not individuals but the Church as a corporate body which was given the Commission. This would mean that it is the church as the body of Christ which is to baptize, and to teach. What ever the Lord placed in His church they have the authority to do. It is the church who administers the ordinances. It is the church which is to teach. Consider (1 Tim. 3:15 KJV) ” But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Unless individuals are the house of God, they are not the pillar and ground of the truth. Here Paul is speaking of the church as a corporate body. This is clear when Paul admonished Timothy how he is to behave himself in church. As a corporate body the Church, and only the Church, having the truth, is qualified to teach.
Neither individuals nor the invisible Universal Church is capable of accomplishing the Great Commission.
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