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NASB | Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. |
Subject: Them or All of Us? |
Bible Note: Hi Emmaus, The fact that there probably were other disciples there makes me LESS incline to support your secondary application. If the command were meant for all, why didn't he address the disciples as he did on other occasions where the application was to all believers? (This is an aside, but I'm also surprised at your answer! The RCC being an Episcopalian form of church government, it would seem that you would favor that this handling of the preaching of the gospel stay with the leadership. Laymen preaching the gospel! That's almost like letting them have a Bible! Please don't respond to this aside. If you like, start a study on church government.) Acts 1, "...after He had by the Holy Spirit GIVEN ORDERS TO THE APOSTLES whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive ..." "...YOU [the apostles] shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:21 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- Acts 1:22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." Acts 1:23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. Acts 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen Acts 1:25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." Other disciples were with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry. Of those Jesus chose twelve and appointed them apostles. They had exclusive responsibilities among Christ's disciples. And it seems that the leadership understood this and saw that being a witness to the resurrected Christ was as an exclusive ministry of an ordained apostle of Christ, even though more the five hundred disciples witnessed Jesus after his resurrection. (Paul is an example of a belated appointment to be an apostolic witness. 1Cor 15:8,9) Popular Christianity wants every believer to be a witness. The truth is that we've never witnessed the resurrected Christ. We are called to believe the witness of his apostles as recorded in their God inspired writings. But this is my soapbox on the word "witness." The real issue is the God given duty for laymen to tell others the gospel of Christ, and the true biblical basis for doing so. Is there a solid biblical basis for "witnessing?" Or are we doing so because we think it's the right thing to do, but with only the flimsiest biblical justification. Dathan and company as Israelites were holy to the Lord, but that did not give them the right to burn incense before the Lord. Telling others the Good News, like burning incense before the Lord, is a good thing, but the real issue is, does God lay this wonderful duty on all his people. If so, what is the biblical data that clearly demonstrates such a responsibility? You as a Catholic believer may just need a papal edict. But as a Protestant, I don't have that luxury. I've got to see it in the Word. (Another aside: I've seen some of your comments on the Bible and the layman. So, what are you doing here handling the Word if you're not a priest? Are you a priest? You don't have to answer this. This is not a Bible study question.) Other verses in Mark of Jesus speaking to a broader audience of disciples than the Twelve: Mark 8:34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Mark 12:43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; Mark 14:32 They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." Peace, |