The Great Commission is a reproductive cycle

[Dr. Walter]

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

The primary verb "teach" or literally rendered "make disciples" defines the objective of this commission. The aorist tense participle translated "go" assumes that the action of going is already completed or "having once gone make disciples." Mark 16:15 demonstrates this completed action in the past is gospel proclamation. Therefore, the act of making disciples is directed toward "them" or those out of "all nations" who have already responded to the gospel in faith - this is the completed action that is assumed completed previous to baptizing and teaching which are present tense participles.

However, the command to "make disciples" is a command to reproduce like kind. They are commanded (imperative mode) to make disciples "of Christ" as that is what they are and what Christ has made of them. They are to make disciples who "follow after" or "learners" who embrace or observe "whatsoever things I have commanded you."

This is a command to take believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ and disciple them in the same faith and practice of Jesus Christ thus reproducing a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The means for doing so is defined and restricted by the three participles "go", "baptizing", "teaching,"

1. Go preach the SAME gospel
2. Administer the SAME baptism
3. Teach to observe the SAME faith and practice.

To go preach "another" gospel makes them accursed - Gal. 1:8-9
To administer "another" baptism rejects the counsel of God - Lk. 7:29-30
To teach "another" faith and practice is to "depart from the faith" (I Tim. 4:1) once delivered - Jude 3.

These SAME particulars are cyclic in succession as the last command to observe all things is inclusive of the first to "go" - thus a natural cycle of reproduction after its own kind.

These SAME particulars are cyclic in ORGANIC succession as it is impossible to administer them without HANDS ON contact between administrator and subject.

These SAME particulars are cyclic in HISTORIC succession as Christ promises to be with those commissioned to administer these things "always even until the end of the world" or more literaly, "all the days until the end of the age."

These SAME particulars are cyclic CHURCH succession as the final aspect is inseparable and inclusive of the New Testament church body as demonstrated in its first post-ascension application in Acts 2:41-42 where "added unto them" is placed between baptism and continuing stedfastly in the apostles doctrine which is equivilent in position between "baptizing" and "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded" in Matthew 28:19-20.

There is not one example in the New Testament where a New Testament church came into existent apart from the existence of a previous "disciple" from another previous existent New Testament church.

Moreover, this is exactly what we see produced in the New Testament - New Testament churches of like faith and order.

 

[lori4dogs]

"Moreover, this is exactly what we see produced in the New Testament - New Testament churches of like faith and order."

The Holy Catholic Church, of course!

 

[Dr. Walter]

"Moreover, this is exactly what we see produced in the New Testament - New Testament churches of like faith and order."

The Holy Catholic Church, of course!

Lori there is absolutely no resemblance to the Catholic church at all. You will find no "cardinals" or "college of cardinals" nor "priests" nor will you find "purgatory" or "nuns" or sacramental salvation, or centralized headquarters or pouring or sprinkling as baptism, nor infants being baptized. In fact, there is not much of anything you can find in the New Testament that even comes close to resembling Roman dogma

 

[lori4dogs]

Lori there is absolutely no resemblance to the Catholic church at all. You will find no "cardinals" or "college of cardinals" nor "priests" nor will you find "purgatory" or "nuns" or sacramental salvation, or centralized headquarters or pouring or sprinkling as baptism, nor infants being baptized. In fact, there is not much of anything you can find in the New Testament that even comes close to resembling Roman dogma

The Catholic Church has never claimed the cardinalate to be a biblical, sacramental office. They are simply high ranking papal assistants and advisers directly appointed by the Holy Father. By the way, there are lots of things in Baptists churches that are not found in the bible. Pews, choir robes, christian flags, etc. I believe that the orders of bishops, priests and deacons are clearly found in the NT.

 

[Dr. Walter]

The Catholic Church has never claimed the cardinalate to be a biblical, sacramental office. They are simply high ranking papal assistants and advisers directly appointed by the Holy Father. By the way, there are lots of things in Baptists churches that are not found in the bible. Pews, choir robes, christian flags, etc. I believe that the orders of bishops, priests and deacons are clearly found in the NT.

Oh really! Where are the priests? We are not talking about inanimate things that are neither good or evil (flags, robes, etc.) but we are talking about from whence the Pope's are selected - cardinals a high ranking office of authority in the Catholic church. We are talking about offices that the New Testament did not establish nor give any authority to as offices.

 

[lori4dogs]

Oh really! Where are the priests? We are not talking about inanimate things that are neither good or evil (flags, robes, etc.) but we are talking about from whence the Pope's are selected - cardinals a high ranking office of authority in the Catholic church. We are talking about offices that the New Testament did not establish nor give any authority to as offices.

Where are the priests?? Presbyters!

 

[Peggy]

There is not one example in the New Testament where a New Testament church came into existent apart from the existence of a previous "disciple" from another previous existent New Testament church.

Moreover, this is exactly what we see produced in the New Testament - New Testament churches of like faith and order.

As you mentioned there was the laying on of hands. Also, if you read the Epistles, Paul clearly indicates that the churches grew through his disciples and he himself going to establish a a New Testament church. NT churches grew out of the teachings of the Apostles and those who were taught by the Apostles. They didn't spring into existence apart from the Apostles' teachings, and certainly didn't spring into existence from the New Testament because it hadn't been written yet.

 

[Dr. Walter]

As you mentioned there was the laying on of hands. Also, if you read the Epistles, Paul clearly indicates that the churches grew through his disciples and he himself going to establish a a New Testament church. NT churches grew out of the teachings of the Apostles and those who were taught by the Apostles. They didn't spring into existence apart from the Apostles' teachings, and certainly didn't spring into existence from the New Testament because it hadn't been written yet.

Nor did they spring into existence apart from previous exisiting New Testament churches of like faith and order. The authority was not given to individual's nor was it direct authority from the Scriptures taken up by anyone claiming to be a "disciple." It was given to a plurality of disciples "ye" in church order (Mt. 18:17-18) who were like faith and order in regard to the same gospel, same baptism, and same essential beliefs.