33AD Christian Missions History Musings (CMHM). Reflections on the Great Commissions

When we speak of the Biblical basis for Christian Missions, a lot of time is placed on the Great Commissions. Shortly before the ascension of Jesus, He spoke to His disciples. Actually, the different Gospel accounts not only give different versions of such a “commissioning” but there seems to be a difference in the setting of the commissioning. This a good example of where one really DOES NOT need to struggle with a harmonization of the gospel accounts. Between His death and His resurrection, He had a mission— to pass on a mission goal to His disciples, and this seemed to happen more than once during this period.

In terms of location– it seems that it happened at at least two places. One is a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28). One is pretty clearly in Jerusalem (John 20). The others are less specific.

As far as participants, who was this commissioning for? The accounts are not completely clear. John’s account (John 20) says that ONE of the commissionings happened with the Twelve minus Two (Judas and Thomas). Mark 16 and Matthew 28 indicate the commissioning occurring when the “Eleven” are present (the Twelve minus Judas). These passages do not state explicitly that no one else was there, but they leave open the possibility of this. The other passages give no specific numbers. However, over 500 saw Jesus after the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:6). Did they participate in any of the commissioning speeches? Possibly. We know from Acts 1 that Barsabbas and Matthias were two (among others we must assume) who were at the Ascension and thus must have been there for at least one of the commissionings. Additionally, Paul had the “Damascus Call” that in content sounded very much like the commissioning of “Sent Out Ones” (Acts 26: 16-18). Further the calling of Barnabas (Acts 13) and his actions on his missionary journey with Paul suggest that he understood that Christ’s commissioning applied to him. The same might be argued regarding Philip (the Deacon or Evangelist). Further, many beyond the Twelve are described as apostles in the New Testament (despite the ESV translating out that description).

The last two paragraphs are not collections of meandering trivia. The church over the centuries has struggled with the question of who are the recipients of this special calling or commissioning.

We know that the commissioning was given at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry after the resurrection (in Jerusalem) and at the very end right before his ascension, and that He appeared to literally hundreds of people, some of whom (like Barsabbas and Matthias) we know specifically were present as part of that commissioning. We know that the commission was given after the ascension of Jesus at least once (Paul). We know that many identified as being among those described as sent out ones (apostles) beyond the Twelve.

As such, we should at least suspect it applies to those other than the Twelve as well. Additionally, there are logical reasons as well.

4. William Carey noted that the Matthew account links the presence of Jesus with the recipients of the Great Commission until the end of the age. If it was just for the Twelve, it seems like Jesus would be promising to be with them “as long as they live.” The wording implies a perpetuity not limited to the Twelve… recognizing a commissioning that goes far beyond the Twelve.

5. Acts 1:8 version says that the calling involves going out even unto the ends of the earth. While the term “ends of the earth” is rather vague, I am sure even John (the last of the Twelve) would confirm that the Twelve shared the message to all the earth. This also suggests a commissioning given to many after the Twelve.

This got a bit drawn out, but I believe it is important to recognize that the Twelve had a unique place in the history of the church, but not necessarily a unique missional calling. It may be fair to ask the question of whether the Great Commission is meant for all Christians, or to a dedicated subset. It is, however, clearly mistaken to suggest that there are Christians today bound by the same task and calling as the Twelve.

I have written a lot more on the Great Commissions in this website, as well as in my book on Theology of Missions, https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Theological-Reflection-Christian-Missions/dp/B0BYRHTHFR