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Some churches have labelled it "The Great Commission" Not everyone agrees.... Who invented the "nick-name" for the two challenging scriptures, shown below? Who allowed this "Great Commission" interpretation to become a part of some doctrines? Does a rigid humanistic interpretation of scripture generate a "God's truth"? Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
Originated 9/4/02. "doctored" 9/02; 10/02; 11/02; 12/02; 1/03; 2/03; 4/03; 5/03; 6/03; 8/03; 11/03; 1/04; 8/04; 9/04; 1/05; 2/05; 3/05; 9/05; 1/29/07 See related tablets The GOSPEL of GOD (link) AND BELIEF and FAITH -- Claiming Belief (link) AND CHRISTIAN: Who says you are a Christian? (link) AND SALVATION.... "saved" by God.... not by humans (link) AND Jesus is God; God is Jesus (link) CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author (1.) Matthew 28: 18 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; 20 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. (2.) Mark 16: 14 (KJV) Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief, and hardness of heart.... because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. 15 And He (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the GOSPEL [JNT note: the Gospel of God] to every creature. 16 He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved.... but he that believeth not shall be damned. PREMISE.... A. I have no concern about how anyone interprets the Bible.... and I don't worry at all about what you claim to be your "faith". I wish that all of us human-animals could agree with each other, on "spiritual" matters.... but that seems impossible, here in the year 2003. For now, many major world-wide "religions" are too busy.... arguing, fighting, and killing each other.... too busy, in jealous efforts to claim God for themselves only.... too busy molding and circumscribing and restricting God.... hence too busy to pause, and to realize that ALL of us humans are trapped together, here in this World -- and that we must therefore yield our spiritual development and our "faith" and our commitment to the supreme wisdom and intention and sovereignty of the ONE Almighty God-of-us-all -- and that we must not succumb to the fixed and rigid notions, interpretations, claims, and concoctions of dogmatic and hostile human-beings, human-churches, human-preachers, human-priests, human-rabbis, and human-imams. (See link The Sovereignty of God.) Note the following statement from God's Bible: Romans 14: 1 (NIV) Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.... 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own Master, he stands or falls. And he will stand -- for the LORD is able to make him stand.... 10 You, then, why do you JUDGE your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will ALL stand before God's judgment seat.... 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.... 22 So whatever YOU believe about these things -- KEEP BETWEEN YOURSELF and GOD. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Maybe, and hopefully -- one-of-these-days-soon, our Creator-God will decide that the time is appropriate, in His mind, to awaken all of us seekers to a common understanding of Him, and His "intention". (See link Darkness to light.) (Actually, I sense that we "creatures" are already closer-together, in our understanding of God, and in our tolerance of each other.... now that our world is so much "smaller", thanks to our miraculous discovery of how to utilize God's photons and electrons.... in television, satellites, computers, and in the Internet.) PREMISE B.... I do have a small concern about how some individuals and "religious" groups have selected a few verses from the Bible.... and have then constructed a doctrine.... a "denomination".... based on their interpretation of these selected scriptures. Their inventing a doctrine doesn't bother me greatly.... so long as the "inventors" (and the adherents) stick-together, among themselves.... and preach-and-teach to each other.... and worship among themselves. PREMISE C.... I have MAJOR concerns when any specfic denominational group (a church) has invented or "adopted" a doctrine.... and has then made a CLAIM that THEY ALONE have figured-out "God's TRUTH" -- the one-and-only-eternal-truth .... and that they must therefore proselytize their notions and "conclusions"; and that they must attempt to force their interpretations -- their rigid version of "God's truth" (link) -- upon ALL the world.... under the threat that if the "hearers" of their proclamations do not accept and believe THEIR religious concoctions.... then those hearers will be condemned and damned.... by God. (Try to imagine how many of the world's "great religions" now claim to possess "the one-and-only-way" to God. Answer this: which one of these rigid humanesque doctrines is "correct", in God's eyes? What do you say? See link: Restricting God.) As I see it.... that kind of doctrinal haughtiness indicates that certain totally-human individuals and church-groups have arrogated to themselves the authority to select and "approve" other fellow-human-beings -- before Almighty God will be "allowed" to include them among His people. How absurd.... to attempt to bypass God, and to circumvent God's own choice of whom He will accept and "save". (I doubt that God agrees with the assumptions of any of these denominational zealots. See link Rigid Doctrinism.) (An interesting study released in September 2002, by Glenmary Research Institute, reveals that in the year 2000, there were at least 149 religious denominations in the United States. Presumably, each of these 149 "religions" firmly believes that it, alone, has the "one-and-only-way" to inclusion and acceptance and "salvation".... by God.) Look again, now, at the Biblical verses that some have called "The great commission". Matthew 28: 18 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 20 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. Mark 16: 14 (KJV) Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief, and hardness of heart.... because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. 15 And He (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the GOSPEL to every creature. 16 He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved.... but he that believeth not shall be damned. The rhetorical questions I have asked about the interpretation of these verses are shown below. Answer these questions, for yourself (if you are satisfied that you do not "need" to get your church-group's approval.... before you are "allowed" to arrive at your own interpretation). Concerning Mark 16 and Matthew 28, shown above.... Which "gospel" should be "preached"? Whose gospel? The "gospel", according to whom? The Gospel of God (link) that Jesus said He was sent to preach? The "Gospel of God" which Paul referred to, in Romans (quoted below)? What "good news"? Who's idea of "good news"? Where must I go in the "world"; and who decides.... and who orders me? To whom must I "preach"? Which "nations"? Do I anoint myself to "preach" my understanding and interpretations.... or yours.... or the doctrine of your church? "Believeth" what? Which church-of-humans has God appointed to accept, approve, and authenticate someone's claim of "belief"? Which "baptism" must I receive, and recommend?.... infant baptism?.... Christening; sprinkle; or dunk?.... baptism In Jesus's name, or baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)? Baptism.... by whom? Can human-beings "baptise" only with "water".... or can humans baptise other humans, and thereby "bestow" the Holy Spirit unto the receiver? My interpretation of the two marvelous scriptures, above, is as follows. I do indeed believe that I have already gone out into "the world", precisely to the places where God has assigned me. I believe that God has laid-out His plans and stepping-stones (link), for me, personally, to follow througout my existence in this life. I consider the "Gospel", to which Jesus referred, to mean the Gospel of God (see link)....which Jesus Himself said He "was sent to preach". I do not consider the "gospel" to refer simply to the churchy story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. (Jesus never mentioned a "gospel" about Himself.) I "preach" my understanding of God to "every creature" that has been put into my life, by God. I have no plans to leave home.... to try to "convert" others -- Jews, Baptists, Muslims, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists -- from their entrenched beliefs. I consider the true spiritual awakening of EACH of God's people (link) to be in the hands and plans of the Almighty GOD of us all. As I have said elsewhere in this book, God may use us humans.... but He does not "need" our help or advice, or our opinions of whom He can or should "save", and include in His Kingdom (link). I consider the "belief" to which Jesus referred to be the beliefs OF Jesus (link).... and the belief (the "faith") that comes as a gift from God (see link belief as a gift from God.... given by God to individuals of God's choice. I consider true belief, and "faith" (not pretend-faith, or superstitious-hope) to originate with God Himself.... revealed by GOD to His accepted people.... according to God's own time-table. So, what do you say. Must I abandon my spiritual conclusions, after my life-time of looking and searching? Must I desert my home, and move to Africa.... hoping to "convert" and "save" those who already have their own "fixed" beliefs? Will God "save" me, if I claim to believe YOUR interpretations of scripture.... OR, will God save me, based on my own beliefs and faith.... which I consider to have developed under the oversight, and supervision of God Himself? I herewith promise you that I will not try to convince you, or force you, to "accept" my understanding, and my faith.... if YOU will promise not to lecture to me, and threaten me with doom and damnation if I do not "join" your church.... and if you, a human-being like me, will not try to "argue" on behalf of God; and if you will not JUDGE me -- but leave "judgement" to God; and if you will not attempt to circumvent God's time-table for my life; and if you will not try to impose your frozen-doctrine upon me; and if you will not try to instruct me in what your "church" believes our Omniscient God wants for me; and if you will not try to "SAVE" me -- but leave salvation (link) in God's hands.... and if you will not try to destroy me if I do not accept your beliefs.
SUMMARY.... including a few additional thoughts on this subject: I have no intention or plan to generate or invent or concoct another "denomination". I do, however, want to establish my own "doctrine" and beliefs.... for me.... without relying on this-church-or-that-church to tell me what I "must" believe. I have listened and listened.... and read and read.... and prayed and prayed.... for a lifetime. I feel that I am better informed and better qualified than almost any preacher or priest or rabbi or imam.... to "accept" and believe the "faith" that represents my decipherings, for me.... and my "conclusions" about God-the-Creator. Furthermore, I believe that I have been led, by God Himself, to the conclusions that are expressed in this book -- my "ongoing online Internet" expository. Once again I will say.... I have zero interest in trying to impose my spiritual beliefs upon any reader or listener. Similarly, I feel no compulsion, at all, to sign-up with this-or-that denomination.... even though I may agree with much of the doctrine of some groups. I consider spiritual development and "religious" maturity to be a lifelong endeavor.... with many turns and twists.... always progressing.... and always under God's oversight and guidance. I totally believe and accept the sovereignty of God (link). I believe that salvation is from God (link).... unrelated to human-beings; and un-restricted by doctrinal organizations and claims. I reject any notion that joining a certain church, or swearing adherence to a certain batch of denominational-rules, will cause or force God-Almighty to "save" me, and to include me in His Kingdom.... based on a humanistic "decision" and oath. I believe that the only "gospel" is the Gospel of God (link) that Jesus proclaimed. I believe that I exist in this world, and that I live in this nation, the U.S.A. -- in the precise area where God assigned me to function.... carrying-out the duties that God ordained, for me individually. I feel no need to proselytize in Africa, or elsewhere. I believe that God awakens His chosen people (link) to God's truth, at a time and place in their existence that God specifies. I believe that human-beings may share ("preach") their spiritual understanding with others, when requested.... but that no human should attempt to impose or force his religious views on others. I feel no urge to pull-up-my-roots, and move to Africa, or South America.... in a useless and wasteful and senseless attempt to convince or bribe baffled and quizzical "hearers" to "buy" my religion, or yours.... or to swear allegiance to a batch-of-rules, established by a church-of-man. If God can't "save" you or me, irrespective of which "church" we sign-up with.... we've got a problem. Note the following Biblical references on subjects which I consider to be related to this discussion of God's "commission", and God's "intention". No personal remarks are included with the Biblical quotations that are quoted below: From the "tablet" Jesus is God, God is Jesus (link): John 12: 44 (NRSV) Then Jesus cried aloud: "Whoever believes in me believes NOT IN ME.... but in Him who sent me. 45 And, whoever SEES me, sees Him who sent me. 2.) John 10: 30 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: "The Father and I are one." 3.) Mark 9: 37 (Jesus speaking): "Whoever receives me, receives NOT me.... but the One who sent me." AND from the "tablet" The Gospel of God (link): Mark 1: 14 (NEB) After John had been arrested, JESUS came into Galilee proclaiming the GOSPEL OF GOD: "The time has come; the Kingdom of God is upon you; repent, and believe the GOSPEL". Mark 1: 14 (RSV) ...... JESUS came into Galilee, preaching the GOSPEL OF GOD, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the GOSPEL." Mark 1: 14 (KJV) Now after that John was put in prison, JESUS came into Galilee, preaching the GOSPEL of the Kingdom of God, 15 And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the GOSPEL." Luke 4: 43 (KJV and NASV) JESUS speaking: "I must preach the Kingdom of God -- for I was SENT for this purpose." Same (Amplified) 43 JESUS speaking: I must preach the good news (the Gospel) of the Kingdom of God ...... for I was SENT for this purpose. Matthew 4: 23 (KJV) And JESUS went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the GOSPEL of the Kingdom (same RSV and NEB), and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 9: 35 (KJV) And JESUS went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the GOSPEL of the Kingdom (same in RSV). Luke 16: 16 (NASV) JESUS speaking: "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John (the Baptist). Since then, the GOSPEL of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone in forcing his way into it. (Amplified Bible says: "Everyone strives to go into the Kingdom in his own way, rather than by God's way.") Romans 1: 1 (KJV) PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the GOSPEL of God. Romans 15: 16 (KJV) That I (Paul) should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles -- ministering the GOSPEL of God.... AND from The Fruits of God's Good Trees Matthew 12: 33 (NIV) Jesus speaking: "Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good; or make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad -- for a tree is recognized by its fruit." 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him; and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 7: 16 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every GOOD TREE bears GOOD fruit; but the BAD TREE bears BAD fruit. 18 A GOOD tree CANNOT bear bad fruit..... nor can a BAD TREE bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear GOOD fruit is cut down.... and thrown into the fire. AND from The NATION of God's People (link): 1 Peter 2: 9 (NRSV) But you are a chosen race (link), a royal priesthood, a HOLY NATION -- God's own people -- in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are GOD'S PEOPLE. Once you had not received mercy -- but now you have received mercy. Ezekiel 36: 23 (NRSV) I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD...... 24 I will take you from the NATIONS, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into YOUR OWN LAND..... 26 A new heart I will give you, and a new Spirit I will put within you.... Isaiah 43: 5 (NIV) Do not be afraid, for I (God) am with you; I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, `Give them up!' and to the south, `Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth -- 7 everyone who is called by my name -- whom I created for my glory; whom I formed and made." John 11: 51 (KJV) And this spake he (Caiaphas) not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for THAT NATION only.... but that also He should gather together, in one, the CHILDREN of God that were scattered abroad. Psalm 19: 1 (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech, or language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth -- their words to the ends of the world. Ephesians 2: 18 (NIV) For through Him, we both have access to the Father -- by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer FOREIGNERS and ALIENS -- but FELLOW CITIZENS with God's people.... and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is joined together, and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him, you too are BEING BUILT together, to become a dwelling in which God LIVES -- by His Spirit. Ezekiel 34: 11 et seq. (NEB) I myself (God) will ask after my sheep (link), and go in search of them. I will bring out from every NATION, and gather them in from other lands, and lead them home...... 22 Therefore, I will SAVE my flock, and they shall be ravaged no more. I (God) will judge between one sheep and another. AND.... SEE additional Biblical references in Salvation is from God; not from human-beings (link); and in The Sovereignty of God (link). And, concerning "baptism", and whether certain human-beings can baptize with "water", and thereby "save" other humans.... consider these scriptures: John 1: 32 (NRSV) And John (the Baptist) testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. 33 I myself did not know Him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, is THE ONE who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Mark 1: 8 (NRSV) I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Acts 8: 14 (NRSV) Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them. They had only been baptized in the NAME of the Lord Jesus). "The Great Commission". I believe -- if one feels compelled to give a humanesque "name" to an interpretation of these so-called "great commission" scriptures -- that the "moniker" might actually be referred to as one of God's "grand designs".... representing a specific plan from God.... for each of His people, individually.... and not a grandiose "design" by human-beings to force other human-beings into a solitary, rigid or superstitious doctrinal mold. See link, Individuation by God. Let us.... you and I.... share our revelations from God, and about God, with each other. But, we must remember: our Creator is always in command. He will awaken His people to "God's truth", at a time and place, and in a manner, that has been pre-determined, by God only. You and I cannot restrict, or bypass, or circumvent or activate or accelerate God.... or God's plan and intention.... based on our human notions. We have no right to "judge" for God. We humans have no part in the "salvation", that comes from God. Furthermore, we humans have no authority to force our "religious" conclusions on other individuals. The awakening to God is in the hands of God, alone.... based on His schedule. Now, note the following pertinent Biblical references. Read these out loud.... and "hear" what God has to say on these subjects: Acts 17: 29 (NRSV) Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone.... an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. Acts 17: 24 (NRSV) The God who made the world and everything in it.... He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mortals life, and breath, and all things. 26 From one ancestor He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth; and He allotted the times of their existence, and the boundaries of the PLACES where they would live.... 27 so that they would search for God, and perhaps grope for Him, and find Him -- though indeed He is not far from EACH ONE of us. Same.... Acts 17: 24 (NIV) The God who made the world and everything in it, is the Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything; because He Himself gives all men life and breath.... and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them, and the EXACT PLACES where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek Him, and perhaps reach out for Him, and find Him -- though He is not far from each one of us. James 4: 12 (NRSV) There is one Lawgiver and Judge who is able to save, and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor? Psalm 62: 5 (NRSV) For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him. 6 He ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance, and my honor; my mighty rock. My refuge is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. 1/12/07 |