The Greatness of the Great Commision

[John Mullally]

And this pertains to making disciples of nations how?

I have long thought the significance of the emphasis of "nations" in the Great Commission has much to do with the thought process of His disciples. In Acts 1:6, we see that His disciples were still at that late date focused on restoring an earthly Israelite kingdom; whereas in Acts 1:7 Jesus shuts down that talk, and in Acts 1:8 Jesus stresses establishing His spiritual kingdom world-wide (which coincides with the Great Commission). Note: I am not talking about Universal Reformation here.

Acts 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
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After Jesus's resurrection, its still a number of years later before the Gentiles are first evangelized, and then more years before the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 establishes that Gentile converts are not bound to keep most of the Jewish laws - that was a major battle that Paul fought throughout his ministry - even well after the Jerusalem Council.

 

[Hammster]

And this pertains to making disciples of nations how? Is the church actively engaged is this, or
failing to fulfill your understanding of this term "Great Commission"? Is this a call by you for
reform in the mission? Is there an example anywhere of a nation being a disciple?

Which one do you want an answer to. I don’t respond to barrages. They seem to reek of desperation.

 

[Mr. M]

Which one do you want an answer to. I don’t respond to barrages. They seem to reek of desperation.

A present day example of your understanding of the Great Commission would be informative.

 

[Hammster]

A present day example of your understanding of the Great Commission would be informative.

We are to proclaim the gospel in every aspect of life.

 

[Mr. M]

We are to proclaim the gospel in every aspect of life.

How about making disciples of nations, wasn't that your point for the OP?

 

[Hammster]

How about making disciples of nations, wasn't that your point for the OP?

Yes.

 

[Mr. M]

Yes.

So why are you talking about "proclaiming the gospel in every aspect of life?
Where is the world is there any example of a nation that is a disciple of the church?

 

[Hammster]

So why are you talking about "proclaiming the gospel in every aspect of life?
Where is the world is there any example of a nation that is a disciple of the church?

He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
— Matthew 13:31-32

Your question is akin to asking the man where the tree is two weeks after planting.

 

[Mr. M]

He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
— Matthew 13:31-32

Your question is akin to asking the man where the tree is two weeks after planting.

Or, 2000 years later. This parable has nothing to do with discipleship of nations.
Reeking of desperation!
There's another parable of removing a fig tree that bears no fruit.
Shut down the thread when it bears no fruit.

 

[Hammster]

Or, 2000 years later. This parable has nothing to do with discipleship of nations.
Reeking of desperation!
There's another parable of removing a fig tree that bears no fruit.
Shut down the thread when it bears no fruit.

I’m good with the thread.

 

[Mr. M]

Here is the great commission. Based on what Jesus actually said, what is He actually communicating?

Then you wouldn't mind answering your own question, with a present day example.

 

[Hammster]

Then you wouldn't mind answering your own question, with a present day example.

The Greatness of the Great Commision

 

[Fervent]

You would think that this is pretty obvious, but I’m amazed at how this is misconstrued. What it doesn’t say is that we are to go and preach the gospel in every nation (though it’s implied in the command). We are to make disciples of all the nations. This means that at some point, all the nations will be predominantly Christian nations in that the majority of people will be believers and will govern according to biblical standards. This is not a quick process, but it started with a handful of disciples, and now there are hundreds of millions.

The word used is "ethne" from which we get "ethnicities." So when it says "nations" it is not speaking of governments, but the composition of the disciples. More specifically, "ethne" generally is used as a designation for Gentiles and so the command Jesus is giving is to turn their attention from the Jewish people to the Gentiles.

 

[Hammster]

The word used is "ethne" from which we get "ethnicities." So when it says "nations" it is not speaking of governments, but the composition of the disciples. More specifically, "ethne" generally is used as a designation for Gentiles and so the command Jesus is giving is to turn their attention from the Jewish people to the Gentiles.

Yes, all the nations outside of Israel are Gentile. That doesn’t change anything.

 

[Fervent]

Yes, all the nations outside of Israel are Gentile. That doesn’t change anything.

You seem to have missed the point, your interpretation of "nation" as state is not supported in the original language. "Ethne" is about heritage, not governance.

 

[Hammster]

You seem to have missed the point, your interpretation of "nation" as state is not supported in the original language. "Ethne" is about heritage, not governance.

It’s ethnos. It’s where we get ethnicities. Every tongue, tribe and nation.

 

[Fervent]

It’s ethnos. It’s where we get ethnicities. Every tongue, tribe and nation.

The lexical entry is ethnos, but the verse itself has ethne. And yes, I already stated it is where we get ethnicities. Which, again, does not include the notion of state. Nation is appropriate, but not everything within the semantic range of nation in English fits.

 

[timothyu]

Yes, all the nations outside of Israel are Gentile.

Actually outside the tribe of Judah

 

[Hammster]

Actually outside the tribe of Judah

It still covers everyone else.

 

[Hammster]

The lexical entry is ethnos, but the verse itself has ethne. And yes, I already stated it is where we get ethnicities. Which, again, does not include the notion of state. Nation is appropriate, but not everything within the semantic range of nation in English fits.

Which doesn’t really change anything.