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NASB | Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 28:18 Jesus came up and said to them, "All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. |
Bible Question:
To all: I'm an ordained minster in a conservtive denomination. My wife and I are American Indian and enrolled members of our respective Tribes. We live on a reservtion. We are involved in "incarnational" or "cultural immersion" ministry among our Indian People. I also visit inmates in the Tribe's correctional center. An issue has come up where there has been a formal complaint of a loval pastor from a fundamentalist denomination. All of us ministers and spirutla leaders are asked to meet with corrections on Aug 16. I want to be prepared to defend: 1) Matthew 28: 18 2) The 1978 Freedom of American Indian Religious Freedom Act. YOu can look at this Act on the Internet. Does Matthew 28:18 infer the destruction of America's indigenous Peoples? Or does Matt 28 imply that Jesus would NOT have done what European settlers did when they arrived here? I'd like to have some feedback ASAP Thanks John GrosVenor johng@televar.com |
Bible Answer: Hi John, Allow me to provide some comment on Matt 28:18. First, the verse in no way infers anything about the destruction of any indigenous people, nor does it imply "that Jesus would NOT have done what European settlers did when they arrived here"! Here are a couple views on this: 1. "Their doubts were quickly dispelled, for Jesus spoke to them claiming all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority (exousia, “official right or power”) had been given to Jesus by the Father and now He was instructing the disciples to go on the basis of that authority. Their field was to include all nations, not just Israel" [John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, 2:93 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985).] 2. "All authority [pasa exousia]. Jesus came close to them [proselthon] and made this astounding claim. He spoke as one already in heaven with a world-wide outlook and with the resources of heaven at his command. His authority or power in his earthly life had been great (7:29; 11:27; 21:23f.). Now it is boundless and includes earth and heaven. Hath been given [edothe] is a timeless aorist (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 836f.). It is the sublimist of all spectacles to see the Risen Christ without money or army or state charging this band of five hundred men and women with world conquest and bringing them to believe it possible and to undertake it with serious passion and power. Pentecost is still to come, but dynamic faith rules on this mountain in Galilee." [A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention., Mt 28:18 (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997).] I'm afraid The 1978 Freedom of American Indian Religious Freedom Act would beyond my time and, certainly the scope and purpose of this Forum. I hope this helps, BradK |