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We can learn so much about Jesus from Matthew 28:1-20; this is a rich final chapter. The first thing to notice is that death cannot defeat him or hold him. But sometimes we think and talk about the resurrection without going beyond it. Jesus went beyond resurrection.
Not only has he returned to life but he goes ahead of his followers. We should remember this. He is there in Galilee waiting when his disciples arrive. In the same way he prepares a path for us to follow and is always there waiting for us.
And he has a mission for us.
The disciples worshipped him (though some of them were doubtful). But hear what he said to them, for he says the same to us.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Why are we to do these things? Because all authority has been given to Jesus. There is no limit to his authority, it is authority in heaven and on earth.
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Thank you for the article. This situation we need to look at who Jesus was talking to . Who yes he was talking to Peter and the other Jewish apostles.
ReplyDeleteThe gospels are great but Paul brings us a new direction, no longer is it the law and doing things but its just believing from the heart.
Jesus commands are to the Jews of Jerusalem and once all Jews believed Jesus would come back. I like what you said about authority.
Thank you again for your articale.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that faith is essential, but I think it's more than 'just believing from the heart'. Faith leads to action so where there is faith I'd expect to see some action as well.
And Jesus commands are to all of us, not only to the Jews of Jerusalem. He says the disciples are to "make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
In that case all of us are to make disciples (people who will follow Jesus).
So by action are you referring to the action that Paul did to make James happy in Acts 21. Was it right for Paul to push his gospel away to perform the act of Purification, is it not Jesus who purified us through His blood. Should we all do things to get closer to the Father, or should we do things to glorify are Father and His Son? With a belief in who Jesus is of course we want to do things to glorify Him, Jesus reminds us to well we will be judged by how we use the gifts that He gave us and not by are sin. Yes if I truly believe in Jesus from the heart - I want to - do things but the Jews taught you -have to do - things very big difference.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I made the point we need to remember who Jesus is talking too. The Jerusalem believers never deterred from the Law and Paul taught us just to believe but Paul did go though out the Roman Empire because he wanted to even though he was a prisoner of Christ. The twelve never left Jerusalem even though they were commanded to but yes Philip did and Peter did but because they were pushed a little by God.
I didn't mention a specific action by a particular person. I was making a general point that faith, if it is real, changes behaviour.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you say that Paul "pushed his gospel away"? Do you think he was wrong to follow the Jewish ritual? He was, after all, a Jew.
What do you think Paul meant when he said he would become all things to all men in order to win some? (1 Cor 9:19-23)
There are no rules any more about what we should or should not do. Like Jesus, we must let the Father lead us moment by moment.
Why did he push his Gospel away, Paul never backed down even to Peter my question is why didn't he do the same to James.
ReplyDeleteHe should of told James that he is purified from the blood of Christ, he should of told James he didn't need a priest to go before the Father or sacrifices such in this case his hair. The greatest sacrifice has been made - the Curtin has been torn we now can come before the Father though Jesus. The twelve always stayed in the law, we see this with Paul and Peters argument in Galatians 2 and with James commanding Paul to follow mosses law and shave his head. Paul should of stood up to James but moments after finishing the ritual Paul was beaten almost to death.
Galatians 2:15-21 (NIV)
15 "We
who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners'
16
know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by
faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we
may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by
observing the law no one will be justified.
17 "If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it
becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ
promotes sin? Absolutely not!
18 If I
rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker.
19 For through the law I died to the law so that I
might live for God.
20 I have been
crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.
21 I do not set aside
the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ
died for nothing!"
Do you think I'm wrong Chris?
Why do you think Jewish believers have to follow the Laws of Moses and that's all 100 plus. Paul states they are the same, one body in Christ Jew and Gentile.
To your answer to your Corinthians verse. We need to look at Acts 21:23 the words are "so do what we tell you. Paul was not doing this to win Jews over he was doing this because what James wanted him to do. This moment Paul is depressed and he is giving in and his excitement is gone no more long nights taking scripture it's ok what ever you want James. No longer do we see the boldness like he had telling Peter he was wrong.
Paul never back down with his gospel even if he became something else: Jew, Gentile or tent maker it was always one message FAITH in Christ Amen.
This is great sharing scriptures and insight. Its to bad more people couldn't jump in. Later Chris