Featured Mark's Great Commission

Yes...sorry my intent in the first post was not clear.
I do not oppose certain technology, and advances...as you list them.
Like with anything else.....they can be used for good or evil purposes......

Well meaning Christians perhaps make movies, or try and illustrate and convey biblical truth......but these "short cuts" can also be perverted by cults and false teachers.....
the fact that counterfeit teaching happens should not keep us from being obedient...

The use of the word by God raising up locals, nationals, from whatever place on earth...where they already have the language is going to perhaps be a repeatable pattern that then can be broadcast perhaps by radio to reach the masses....
I think recently of a missionary family that struggled to acquire language capacity[ Spanish]....and if I understand correctly.....it did not happen the way we would like it to......It is nice that they attempted to serve God this way....but my thought was....why when we have so many bi language people already equipped who speak Spanish fluently does a couple seek to do this?
There are other groups[ other languages] that we do not have bilingual people yet.....so perhaps a focus could look into this ....
This would take some of the most gifted servants, who have the capacity to acquire language skills.
The issue seems to be getting trained pastors who can over see local men and give the theological oversight needed to form stable local assemblies.

While we are commanded to Go.....perhaps we have not done enough going....so God is bringing those people here, illegal aliens, persecuted persons....even those who intend to destroy the west,[terrorists}.
One question we must face is are we equipped to deal with those who are different from us,different cultures, races, worldviews, as we find them here?
Or do we avoid them because they are different from us and we are not quite "comfortable " with that difference?
You and others were sent by God to distant places.....but we are all sent to someone each day, if we are vessels fit for the masters use.

If we do not cultivate an outward focus here.....it will not manifest itself out there.....
God has an eternal outward focus that is worldwide;
51 And this spake he 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

 

Three ways to accomplish it.

Pass out as many gospel tracts as possible
Talk to as many as possible or write letters
Do some open air preaching

 

Why would they join your church of all the options? Lots of churches in Denver and lots of progressives. The church I attend is small but focuses on depth of scripture.

 

Ben Hur would be one such film.

 

Or via street evangelism.

 

I liked what I read here, Kyredneck. I scrolled down to see how your point was answered, but in vain. Not even acknowledged.

That is to bad. Because any discussion on the GC ought to consider to whom it was written - the apostles in Christ's immediate hearing.

This is not to say that we here today should not also be concerned about evangelizing. Just that this passage should not be our go-to text. Because a wrong application here leads to a wrong application of eschatology. But understanding the mission field of the GC as coextensive with the Roman Empire (οἰκουμένη) fits in very well with the verses you wrote. It truly is a done deal.

BTW, the GC is not the only passage where Christians have overlooked the importance of audience relevance. Pentecostals, for instance, misconstrue Christ's personal prophecies and promises to His twelve disciples (miracle-working, etc.) into ongoing commandments for Christians today.

 

Ah, I'm used to it. I don't sleep over 8 hrs at night worrying about being ignored on the BB. Not here to be popular, only to articulate as I see the scriptures, take it or leave it.

I derive great joy from recognizing that Christ's words were altogether fulfilled. That Isaiah 55:10-11 was perfectly demonstrated. Yet I get the feeling that the evangelicals on board somehow feel threatened by it.

How about a passage such as this for a "go-to" text?:

15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear 1 Peter 3

But it requires another 'great commission', given directly to the Church, to produce the mature Christians that have that hope:

28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. Acts 20

Actually it was the network of synagogues throughout the known world that served as a conduit for the incredibly fast spread of the gospel, Roman Empire or not.

So right, this most certainly is NOT the only passage wrongly applied due to ignoring audience relevance. It's as if few know of Hodge's first rule of interpretation:

"The Scriptures are to be taken in the sense attached to them in the age and by the people to whom they were addressed.".

 

???

14 And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Mk 16

 

I am not sure then. Media? The internet? Those methods can reach every creature. However I do not have a TV ministry.