The Great Commission: the believer's mandate
The Great Commission: the believer's mandate
By Peter C. Moore
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
January 18, 2012
NOTE: This paper was delivered to a Missions and Theology conference in Lima, Peru to some seven Southern Cone bishops, numerous missionaries and Nashotah House students.
The Great Commission, like the Great Commandment, is usually not a part of Scripture to which we race when we want to feel good, be comforted, or be reassured. In fact, we often overlook the Great Commission entirely. The passages in Scripture we love to read breathe acceptance, forgiveness, and the blessings of the new life in Christ. But we have a way of neutralizing the demand of Jesus to: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Mt. 28:19,20)
Despite our reticence, the Great Commission won't go away. The 1988 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops from around the world said: "evangelism is the primary task given to the church." The Conference called for a renewed emphasis on evangelism throughout the Communion.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
By Peter C. Moore
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
January 18, 2012
NOTE: This paper was delivered to a Missions and Theology conference in Lima, Peru to some seven Southern Cone bishops, numerous missionaries and Nashotah House students.
The Great Commission, like the Great Commandment, is usually not a part of Scripture to which we race when we want to feel good, be comforted, or be reassured. In fact, we often overlook the Great Commission entirely. The passages in Scripture we love to read breathe acceptance, forgiveness, and the blessings of the new life in Christ. But we have a way of neutralizing the demand of Jesus to: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Mt. 28:19,20)Despite our reticence, the Great Commission won't go away. The 1988 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops from around the world said: "evangelism is the primary task given to the church." The Conference called for a renewed emphasis on evangelism throughout the Communion.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
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