Tag Archives: Great Commission

THE FOUR ALLs OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

Great Commission, Optimism June 9, 2020 Comments: 14

PMW 2020-045 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In any study of the Christian worldview there are two passages that cannot escape one’s research: Genesis 1:26-30, called the Cultural Mandate, and Matthew 28:18-20, the Evangelistic Mandate, better known as the Great Commission. We will focus on the second, emphasizing the four appearances of the word “all” in these verses. Understanding each of these four aspects will help us better undertake the task of evangelism in the business world. And this will help establish the postmillennial argument.

All Authority
It is extremely important to remember that the Great Commission is given after the resurrection. Prior to the resurrection, a frequent refrain of Christ was: “I can do nothing of Myself” (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49; etc). But now after the resurrection, Christ says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). This grant of “all authority in heaven and on earth” is given by the Father, who according to similar terminology in Matthew 11:25, Acts 17:24, and elsewhere, is called “Lord of heaven and earth.” Continue reading →

COMMISSION AND SOVEREIGNTY (2)

Great Commission October 4, 2016 Leave a comment

timePMT 2016-074 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my last article I began a three-part study considering the implications of sovereignty in the Great Commission. Without the sovereignty of God involved, postmillennialism would be an empty hope and the Great Commission would be simply a Warm Feeling. But God is sovereign. And Christ’s Great Commission exudes sovereignty. In this article I will consider sovereignty based on:

Its Temporal Context Continue reading →

POSTMILLENNIALISM IN THE GREAT COMMISSION (4)

hyperpreterism, Optimism July 1, 2016 1 Comment

JEsus with usPMT 2016-047 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

The Great Commission truly sets forth a Great commission. It institutes a program of immense proportions, a program calling for world transformation. Christ s the discipling of all nations in all things He has taught. He lays upon His people the task of bringing all men and their cultural endeavors under the redemptive Lordship of the Triune God.

How can such a program be accomplished? Surely He did not expect it to occur over night. Millions of evangelicals teach that Christ’s coming to end history as we know it has been imminent ever since He ascended into heaven. They live by the standard of pop-theologian Hal Lindsey: “We should be living like people who don’t expect to be a round much longer.” Who would set themselves to the long, expensive, difficult, time consuming task of world transformation if he believed the world as he knows it could end at any moment? Continue reading →

POSTMILLENNIALISM IN THE GREAT COMMISSION (3)

Optimism June 28, 2016 Leave a comment

Bible pointingPMT 2016-046 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my previous studies I have been analyzing the Great Commission as a foundational text for postmillennialism. In those studies I noted that the Commission revolves around four “all’s.” The first two all’s highlighted Christ’s authority as “all authority” and his directive to disciple “all nations.” In this study we will look at the third all: “all things.”

Christ commands us to disciple all nations. But what does he mean? The discipleship idea involves training in the Christian faith. The Greek word is matheteuo, which involves authority over another person so as to train them for service. In the Great Commission it is definitely redemptive in orientation, for it includes baptism in the Name of the Triune God. It is no simple humanitarianism; it is no social gospel. Continue reading →

POSTMILLENNIALISM IN THE GREAT COMMISSION (1)

Optimism June 21, 2016 Comments: 2

King AuthorityPMT 2006-044 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

One of the most beloved passages of Scripture is the Lord’s Great Commission. Most Christians know it quite well, are able to find it in the Bible, and can cite it by heart. They also instinctively love it as the command of the resurrected Lord. Unfortunately, though it is well-known, it is poorly understood. It is loved as a foundational command for Christ’s church, giving her the marching orders of the exalted Christ. But it is seldom recognized as a strong witness to the postmillennial hope which provides an optimistic outlook on history.

In this four-part study, I will provide an exposition of the Great Commission, demonstrating its postmillennial orientation. We can see the glory of the Commission if we note the four appearances of the word “all” in it. In this lesson I will focus on the first two “alls”: Christ’s claim to “all authority” and his charge to disciple “all nations.” Let’s get started. Continue reading →