Epiphany Part 7

Epiphany Part 7 - The Manifestation of Christ's Desire

Matthew 28:16-20

"The Great Commission" - 3 Ways We Misread It

1) We think it should be read individually as opposed to covenantally. A lot of it has to do with grammar and Greek that I may not be able to fully explain here. The word disciple here is used as a verb where it previously was used as a noun. Some versions use "teach" instead of "make" when referring to the disciples. "Make the nations disciples of Christ" was the original purpose. We are to conquer the nations as nations. We are not to save a few people out of the nations and bring them to Christ, we are to be full conquerors and take the whole nation to Christ. We tend to be pious and individualistic. Nations are to be whole covenants. Whole people groups brought all over to the gospel of Christ. Nations will be conquered as nations come to Christ. This can only be done by following the true Biblical doctrine of Christianity without relenting or submitting ground in order to seem more tolerant or inclusive of any and all radical beliefs. We cannot reduce the content of the gospel in order to bring in with the nations. We have lost the fervor of the Gospel. We have lost the passion of covenantalism. 

2) We don't like the idea of nations. Everywhere God assumes the idea of nations throughout the Scripture. Genesis 10:32, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 35:11, Isaiah 60:3, Micah 4:2, Psalm 2:8, Zachariah 9:10, Isaiah 2:2, Matthew 28:19, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 21:24, Revelation 22:2. Christ constantly calls the nations to Himself. They belong to Him and He will not give them up and neither should we. Christianity is not selfish, we are to share it with the world, whole nations and people groups. We are all to come to Christ as we are. We cannot think covenantally because we refuse to come to Christ as a covenant, but rather as individuals.