What is biblical discipleship and to whom was the Great Commission given?

[FreeGrace]

It seems the vast majority of evangelicals around the world believe that the Great Commission (GC) is for EVERY believer.  In many "discipleship seminars" the phrase "each disciple make a disciple", based on the GC, is heard often.

So, let's consider what the Bible says about the GC.

Matt 28:16 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:14 - Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.  15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Acts 1:1 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

So, from these 3 passages, it is clear that Jesus gave the GC to 11 men.  By this time, Judas had already gone to "where he belongs".  

Previously, Jesus chose 'the 12' and named them 'apostles'.  

Luke 6:13 - When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

From the book of "the Acts of the Apostles", written by Dr Luke, it is clear that it was the 11 apostles who "went into all the world" making disciples and teaching them 'everything' that Jesus had taught them.

iow, the GC was to commission the 11 apostles to establish churches throughout the known world and teach them what Jesus taught the 11.

Interesting that there is no mention of the GC in the NT; of believers being either encouraged or commanded to "make disciples" and teach them everything that Jesus taught the 11.

However, there is a passage that parallels the GC.

Eph 4:11 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

In v.11 are the spiritual gifts of TEACHING.  All of which include 'making disciples' or evangelizing the unsaved.  

v.12 presents the PURPOSE of these spiritual gifts:  to prepare (equip) believers in a local assembly for "works of service", which will result in "the body of Christ being built up".

iow, believers are to be taught what Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that they can serve the "body of Christ" in order to build up the body.

Today, since there are no 'apostles' or 'prophets', it is the evangelists, pastors and teachers who fulfill the GC.  

 It is the "pew warmers" who need to be taught everything that Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that believers can serve one another which will build up the body of Christ.

[Who me]

It is the practical action of believers everywhere that they " 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ! "

[AdHoc]

6 hours ago, FreeGrace said:

It seems the vast majority of evangelicals around the world believe that the Great Commission (GC) is for EVERY believer.  In many "discipleship seminars" the phrase "each disciple make a disciple", based on the GC, is heard often.

So, let's consider what the Bible says about the GC.

Matt 28:16 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:14 - Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.  15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Acts 1:1 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

So, from these 3 passages, it is clear that Jesus gave the GC to 11 men.  By this time, Judas had already gone to "where he belongs".  

Previously, Jesus chose 'the 12' and named them 'apostles'.  

Luke 6:13 - When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

From the book of "the Acts of the Apostles", written by Dr Luke, it is clear that it was the 11 apostles who "went into all the world" making disciples and teaching them 'everything' that Jesus had taught them.

iow, the GC was to commission the 11 apostles to establish churches throughout the known world and teach them what Jesus taught the 11.

Interesting that there is no mention of the GC in the NT; of believers being either encouraged or commanded to "make disciples" and teach them everything that Jesus taught the 11.

However, there is a passage that parallels the GC.

Eph 4:11 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

In v.11 are the spiritual gifts of TEACHING.  All of which include 'making disciples' or evangelizing the unsaved.  

v.12 presents the PURPOSE of these spiritual gifts:  to prepare (equip) believers in a local assembly for "works of service", which will result in "the body of Christ being built up".

iow, believers are to be taught what Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that they can serve the "body of Christ" in order to build up the body.

Today, since there are no 'apostles' or 'prophets', it is the evangelists, pastors and teachers who fulfill the GC.  

 It is the "pew warmers" who need to be taught everything that Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that believers can serve one another which will build up the body of Christ.

You have a point. But it is not without its difficulties. But let me first agree with you in that the so-called "Great Commission", as a term, does not appear in scripture. Also, the shear weight of evidence is that the kingdom was taught above the gospel. Next, the New Jerusalem has, as the foundation of the wall, the twelve apostles. But on the other hand there were events that speak the opposite. In the great persecution of Jerusalem in Acts 8:1, the Apostles were not those sent (or chased) away to further the gospel. Yet again the proof is difficult because the ones our Lord Jesus addressed in Matthew 24:14 were four of the twelve - in private (Mk.13:3). We could say that it was to a select few that the gospel of the kingdom would be taught to all Nations (v.14).

What i think happened is that God's directing of operations was to serve a grand purpose t thwart the false prophets that were predicted. FIVE crucial events happened that anchored four truths to Jerusalem. The coming gathering of believers would report unequivocally that (1) resurrection began in Jerusalem, (2) the Immersion, or Baptism, into the Holy Spirit had its beginning in Jerusalem, (3) that the gospel went to the Gentiles from Jerusalem, (4) the water immersion (Baptism) that allowed the giving of the Holy Spirit economically had its origin in Jerusalem (Act.2:38 versus Acts 19), and (5) the Gentile Believers would not be under the Law of Moses. You see, without these events anchored in and associated with what happened in Jerusalem, the rest of the world could claim them for themselves.

Without going into the arguments for the five events above, the sovereign plan of God was to leave Jerusalem and the Apostles intact until many had witnessed that they were connected with the events in and around Jerusalem that fateful Passover and Pentecost. Once the events were well witnessed and well documented, God could allow the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Church in Jerusalem - the one which had fully returned to the Law of Moses (Act.21:20).

A little side-note also connects the Apostles to Jerusalem. In Matthew 19:28 the Lord promised the twelve Apostles each a throne over one Tribe in the Messianic age (the Millennium). Judas defaults. It was of utmost importance that Judas' successor be associated with Jerusalem and the eleven remaining Apostles. He will have his reward associated and documented from the Capital of the world in the age to come. The Lord did this with Jeremiah. Note how carefully Jeremiah's piece of the Good Land is documented . It must withstand many claims in the day that our Lord restores Israel.

As a statement to perhaps discuss is that every Christian is obliged to TESTIFY of his/her encounter with Jesus. It is a command. But nearly not all are evangelists. Gifted evangelists do their work outside the Assembly. Apostles did their work of establishing God's Words. Teachers "cut" the word for the saints, doing their work inside the Assembly. Pastors lovingly maintain an orderly Assembly so that the Teacher can reach those whom the Apostle wrote for and who were brought int the Assembly by the Evangelists. Each, in his own way, bringing the portion that God has given him - as Ephesians 4 tells.

[FreeGrace]

7 hours ago, Who me said:

It is the practical action of believers everywhere that they " 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ! "

Yes, and that isn't a command nor a commission.  It's for those who have been well trained and can explain the gospel clearly.

Unlike what we generally see today.  

[enoob57]

The great commission is to all believers ...

John 17:17 (KJV)

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

[21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

[22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

[23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

[25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

[26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

 

[FreeGrace]

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

You have a point. But it is not without its difficulties. But let me first agree with you in that the so-called "Great Commission", as a term, does not appear in scripture.

But it is clear that Jesus appointed the apostles to "go and preach the gospel".  iow, a command, and commission.  

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

Also, the shear weight of evidence is that the kingdom was taught above the gospel.

I don't understand.  The only way to enter the kingdom is through the gospel.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

Next, the New Jerusalem has, as the foundation of the wall, the twelve apostles.

Certainly.  Rev 21:14.  But who's name is the 12th, since it's obvious that Judas won't be on any foundation?  The whole deal with Matthias was man's effort.  They picked 2 men, basically told God which one He chose and they rolled the dice.  The whole plan was man's doing.  And we never hear of Matthias again.

Then, we have Paul.  It's clear from Acts 9 that God commissioned him to preach the gospel "in all the (known) world" and esp to Gentiles.  And Paul was an apostle.  I believe his name is the one on the 12th foundation.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

But on the other hand there were events that speak the opposite. In the great persecution of Jerusalem in Acts 8:1, the Apostles were not those sent (or chased) away to further the gospel.

You know, that did bother me some.  Until I realized that the apostles were the trainers.  They stayed back in Jerusalem to train those Jews who were coming to faith, as well as the many priests who were coming to the faith.

Acts 6:7 - So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

Yet again the proof is difficult because the ones our Lord Jesus addressed in Matthew 24:14 were four of the twelve - in private (Mk.13:3). We could say that it was to a select few that the gospel of the kingdom would be taught to all Nations (v.14).

All this occurred during the Jewish age, before Jesus was risen.  I gave the 3 texts where Jesus personally gave the command to preach to all creatures and teach them all that He had taught the apostles.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

What i think happened is that God's directing of operations was to serve a grand purpose t thwart the false prophets that were predicted. FIVE crucial events happened that anchored four truths to Jerusalem. The coming gathering of believers would report unequivocally that (1) resurrection began in Jerusalem, (2) the Immersion, or Baptism, into the Holy Spirit had its beginning in Jerusalem, (3) that the gospel went to the Gentiles from Jerusalem, (4) the water immersion (Baptism) that allowed the giving of the Holy Spirit economically had its origin in Jerusalem (Act.2:38 versus Acts 19), and (5) the Gentile Believers would not be under the Law of Moses. You see, without these events anchored in and associated with what happened in Jerusalem, the rest of the world could claim them for themselves.

Not sure how this relates to the OP.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

A little side-note also connects the Apostles to Jerusalem. In Matthew 19:28 the Lord promised the twelve Apostles each a throne over one Tribe in the Messianic age (the Millennium). Judas defaults. It was of utmost importance that Judas' successor be associated with Jerusalem and the eleven remaining Apostles. He will have his reward associated and documented from the Capital of the world in the age to come. The Lord did this with Jeremiah. Note how carefully Jeremiah's piece of the Good Land is documented . It must withstand many claims in the day that our Lord restores Israel.

I think it's clear from Acts that Paul became the 12th apostle.  The most active one, in fact.  Along with Peter and John.

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

As a statement to perhaps discuss is that every Christian is obliged to TESTIFY of his/her encounter with Jesus. It is a command.

Could you provide the citation of this command?

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

But nearly not all are evangelists. Gifted evangelists do their work outside the Assembly. Apostles did their work of establishing God's Words. Teachers "cut" the word for the saints, doing their work inside the Assembly. Pastors lovingly maintain an orderly Assembly so that the Teacher can reach those whom the Apostle wrote for and who were brought int the Assembly by the Evangelists. Each, in his own way, bringing the portion that God has given him - as Ephesians 4 tells.

I would say most are not evangelists.  There are several lists of of spiritual gifts in the NT and none include evangelist, if I recall.

And Eph 4:12 is clear that the purpose of training the followers of Jesus was to "build up the church".  iow, believers serve each other.  

[FreeGrace]

3 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

The great commission is to all believers ...

The 3 texts in the OP clearly identifies "the 11" apostles to "go into all the world and preach the gospel, teaching them everything I have taught you".

3 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

John 17:17 (KJV)

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

[21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

[22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

[23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

[25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

[26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

In this text, v.17-19 are specifically about "the 11".  Not every believer.  v.20-26 do not specifically command evangelism, but rather emphasize lifestyle that shows the world that believers belong to the Lord.

[Marilyn C]

8 hours ago, FreeGrace said:

It seems the vast majority of evangelicals around the world believe that the Great Commission (GC) is for EVERY believer.  In many "discipleship seminars" the phrase "each disciple make a disciple", based on the GC, is heard often.

So, let's consider what the Bible says about the GC.

Matt 28:16 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:14 - Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.  15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Acts 1:1 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

So, from these 3 passages, it is clear that Jesus gave the GC to 11 men.  By this time, Judas had already gone to "where he belongs".  

Previously, Jesus chose 'the 12' and named them 'apostles'.  

Luke 6:13 - When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

From the book of "the Acts of the Apostles", written by Dr Luke, it is clear that it was the 11 apostles who "went into all the world" making disciples and teaching them 'everything' that Jesus had taught them.

iow, the GC was to commission the 11 apostles to establish churches throughout the known world and teach them what Jesus taught the 11.

Interesting that there is no mention of the GC in the NT; of believers being either encouraged or commanded to "make disciples" and teach them everything that Jesus taught the 11.

However, there is a passage that parallels the GC.

Eph 4:11 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

In v.11 are the spiritual gifts of TEACHING.  All of which include 'making disciples' or evangelizing the unsaved.  

v.12 presents the PURPOSE of these spiritual gifts:  to prepare (equip) believers in a local assembly for "works of service", which will result in "the body of Christ being built up".

iow, believers are to be taught what Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that they can serve the "body of Christ" in order to build up the body.

Today, since there are no 'apostles' or 'prophets', it is the evangelists, pastors and teachers who fulfill the GC.  

 It is the "pew warmers" who need to be taught everything that Jesus taught the 11 apostles so that believers can serve one another which will build up the body of Christ.

Hi Freegrace,

Firstly the 12 disciples were to witness of Jesus life, death, resurrection and ascension. Then they were to tell Israel of their coming Messiah, (Jesus) who would set up His kingdom rule in Israel over the nations as promised by the prophets. That is why the 11 disciples asked Jesus just before He ascended, " Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom (rule) to Israel?"  (Acts 1: 6)

Israel had opportunity to repent as a nation receive the Holy Spirit and accept Jesus as their Messiah. However, finally at the end of Acts we read of the leaders of the Jews turning away not 0nly from Jesus but the Holy Spirit. (Acts 28: 17 - 29)

Meanwhile the Lord gave further revelation to the Apostle Paul. This was that Jesus was bringing together a whole new group called `the Body of Christ, the New Man.` (Eph. 3: 1 - 7,    2: 15) Note the 12 disciples did not understand about this as their purpose was to Israel and their rulership over the nations. (Gal. 2: 8 - 14)

Paul taught his disciple how to make disciples - "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.` (2 Tim. 2: 1 & 2)

[Marathoner]

I agree with some of the points that the OP has articulated, specifically where preaching is concerned. Some are called to be evangelists and as such, they are sent to preach in the manner that the Lord has equipped them to do. This does not mean that our testimony --- both words and deeds --- does not preach to those who hear and witness but rather, that preaching is a calling in the Body. 

I do disagree about the lack of prophets in the Body but then, my understanding of prophecy is radically different than the concept adhered to by many. Prophecy is not soothsaying by any means; prophecy is forth-telling words given to us by the Spirit to speak. I have asserted elsewhere that anyone who belongs to Christ can be a prophet. Whomever dwells with the Spirit, and the Spirit dwells with them, can be a prophet. 

Edited May 17, 2024 by Marathoner

[Sower]

 

                      The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and

                                 he that winneth souls is wise.

                                      As it is written:

         “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

                              Seems sorta obvious to me...the who.

    Do you remember who gave/shared with you the biblical saving understanding of the gospel?
     A faithful mom or dad, a friend, a stranger, your pastor, a radio, your boss, a tract, grandma, etc etc etc......
                                 Someone faithful cared enough. It's called good news..

                                              Aren't you glad they did.....