Expert: Rev C.Brian Ross - 3/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello. My name is James. My church interprets Mat 28:19-20 as saying that there is only one role for each member, that each member is commanded to be actively involved in evangelism and making disciples through teaching the Bible. In view of 1Co 12:29ff, Ro 12:4ff, Eph 4:11ff and similar passages, do you find this interpretation to be consistent with what the Bible teaches? If it is not consistent, then how should Mat 28:19 be applied?

ANSWER: Hi James,

Thank you for your interesting, if unusual, question.  May I begin by pointing out that I am not here to criticise the particular standpoint of any individual fellowship/denomination as I would often be unaware of the context in which such teaching is placed.  However, I am happy to share some thoughts on the passages that you mention.

The Great Commission (Matt.28:19-20, but always remember v.18!) is of paramount importance.  This is the command of Jesus to the Church (i.e. the universal body of true believers) to share the message of salvation with the whole world, baptising those who respond positively to that message, and teaching them all that they need to know to live the Christian life to the full.  However, even this seminal passage must be read in the light of other Scripture.  So, when I turn to Acts 1:8, I read that Jesus also said that the disciples (then and now!) were to be “witnesses”.  This, I understand, as being those who share what they have experienced at a personal level.  By this I mean that, in, certainly, a British court of law a witness is only permitted to testify to what he has personally seen or heard (cf. I Jn.1:1).  Anything else is not permissible.  And a witness may be good or bad.  In other words, and in the Christian context, every believer is a witness, whether we like the idea or not; and others are “reading” our testimony by our actions as well as by our words – whether that makes us good witnesses or bad ones!

The other passages to which you make reference are, as it were, the other side of the coin.  What Paul, under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, is saying is that we all have certain gifts and/or functions within the Church.  Your gifting and/or function will probably be different from mine, but they will be complementary as it is the same Spirit Who provides both – “… just as He determines.” (I Cor.12:11).

To summarise – all are, indeed, commanded to be involved in the work of extending the Kingdom of God (Matt.28:19-20); but each is gifted in a different way (or in different ways – there is nowhere, of which I am aware, that suggests that we must only have a single gift).  I would also add that God the Holy Spirit, in His sovereign will and for His own eternal purposes, may grant me a particular gift at one period in my life, and a different one at another time!

I trust that this will have been of some assistance to you.

Blessings

C. Brian Ross (Rev)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. I agree with your statement that we are all "commanded to be involved in the work of extending the Kingdom of God". Concerning the way in which we are to be involved, you have said that we all serve as witnesses and that outsiders are, figuratively, reading our testimony. This is, indeed, something that we participate in doing whether we wish to or not. But the Great Commission speaks of being actively involved in extending the kingdom of God -- in going and making and baptizing and teaching. Concerning this, you've said that we "all have certain gifts and/or functions within the Church". Do you mean by this that us having different roles applies only to how we function within the church and that this has nothing to do with how we extend the kingdom of God outside the church?

Answer
Hi, again, James.

Thank you for your follow-up question.

Eph.4:11 makes it clear that these "ministry" gifts are given "to the church"

I Cor.12 is concerned with "spiritual gifts" (v.4)m and these are given "as a means of helping the entire church" (v.7)

Rom.4 doesn't make such specific references but, as the context is one of "Christ'a body" (v.5), I would respectfully suggest that here, too, the church is being focused.

So, in answer to your supplementary question, the roles and gifts that are recorded in the New Testamant are, indeed, for the upbuilding of the church as the body of Christ.  However, this does not mean that we do not have to be concerned about extending the Kingdom (and this should be done, predominantly outwith the fellowship of believers!).  The link, I would contend, is that we are built up IN the church so that we might be more effective OUTWITH the church.  The giftings that God the Holy Spirit has seen fit to grant me are to be used, primarily, within the church; but their effect should be experienced outwith as well.

What I am saying is that this isn't a case of "either/or" but of "both/and"!!

I trust that this might have clarified the situation a little more.

Blessings

C.Brian Ross (Rev)