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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: Greetings, I'm not sure if this is what you are wanting, but I will provide the insight I can. One difference between the European settlers and Jesus Christ is divine authority. In this passage, Jesus is not only saying that he has the authority to do anything he feels should be done, but that he has the capability also. The word here for "power" is the same word that we get our word "dynomite" from. Meaning the raw capacity to be able to accomplish a task. Jesus is claiming that God the Father granted the authority and the ability, not just on earth .. but basically everywhere. Now .. there is a parrallel passage in Acts chapter 1:1-8. There, Jesus is giving the Disciples the "power" or ability to accomplish what he wants them to. In this case it's to spread the teachings of Jesus around the world. Now .. notice he didn't give them any "authority" .. just "power". He told them what to do. Go and teach, and he gave them the ability to do so. Now .. with the European settlers, my american history is a little weak back that far, but I do know how harshly the native americans were treated. Much of it done in "the Name of God". This is a perversion of what Jesus commanded. No where does he say for his followers to go and "beat the daylights out of everyone and shove the gospel down their throats." He says to go .. teach .. and baptize. There is no hostile intent in the commands of Jesus in these passages. Such hostile actions in "the name of God" are the perversions of the true intent of the Word, and done so by selfish peoples, not true christians. History is filled with such examples. Jesus Loves You! Jesusman |