Huh. Let’s read Mark 16, shall we?
[14] At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. [15] And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. [17] And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. [19] And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. [20] But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.
Mark 16:14-20.
Who’s the “them” in the Great Commission? The Eleven. Not “the disciples.” Not “anyone who believes.” Not “all followers of Jesus.” Not “anyone who feels like they can do a better job.” The Eleven. And we know from Acts chapter 1 that apostlehood was an office (some translations say “office” while others say “bishopric”) and not just a person or a job.
Preaching is first and foremost the place of the bishops, who are the successors to the Apostles. Yes, others may preach as well, and they are entitled to their opinions; but Jesus left us a stable set of people to preach His word. Read Matthew chapter 23 and Mark chapter 12: the scribes and Pharisees had inherited the seat of Moses, so Jesus exhorted His followers to do all that they said, even if their examples were poor. But He also pointed out that their teaching authority would be taken away from them and given to others. To whom? The Apostles. And what happened to their authority? It passed to the bishops, who still have that authority today.
Even if individual bishops exhibit personal failings like the scribes and the Pharisees.
Dear Godfollower, please cite Chapter AND verse: Both Scripture quotes are lengthy chapters and I couldn’t find the bits you highlighted. I am saddened that your derived theology removes from me (and you, singular and plural) the obligation, duty,
rema to evangelize. One of the unsung charisms gifted to Born Agains is a sudden, deep love and hunger for the Bible - all of it. We see it (all of it) as a love letter from God, written to each and everyone personally. Born Agains are living witnesses to Mark 16:17 & 18 “signs of the believers.” You quoted Mark 16:20: “Then the
disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Why is it that the signs are noticeably absent in the Church except by the Holy Spirit Born Agains who skulk like lepers, forced to hide their lamps under a bushel. I feel a “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees” coming on but I’ll ask the Holy Spirit to renew the fourth of His fruits, Patience and do it NOW, Lord!
Sorry you weren’t able to find the passages.
The part of Matthew 23 about the scribes and Pharisees inheriting the seat of Moses, and therefore having authority to teach that Jesus’ followers had to obey, is here:
[1] Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, [2] Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. [3] All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.
Matthew 23:1-3.
The part of Mark 12 where Jesus talks about the authority of the priests being taken away from them and given to others is here:
[1] And he began to speak to them in parables: A certain man planted a vineyard and made a hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen; and went into a far country. [2] And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant to receive of the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. [3] Who having laid hands on him, beat him, and sent him away empty. [4] And again he sent to them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and used him reproachfully. [5] And again he sent another, and him they killed: and many others, of whom some they beat, and others they killed.
[6] Therefore having yet one son, most dear to him; he also sent him unto them last of all, saying: They will reverence my son. [7] But the husbandmen said one to another: This is the heir; come let us kill him; and the inheritance shall be ours. [8] And laying hold on him, they killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. [9] What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those husbandmen; and will give the vineyard to others. [10] And have you not read this scripture, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:
[11] By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes. [12] And they sought to lay hands on him, but they feared the people. For they knew that he spoke this parable to them. And leaving him, they went their way.
Mark 12:1-12. In case you’re wondering who the “them” is in this passage, it’s “the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.” See Mark 11:27.
As for Mark 16:20, please re-read it. It does
not say “Then the
disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” You’re simply misreading that passage. It says “But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.” And who is “they”? The Eleven. Whether you’re reading Douay-Rheims, King James Version, New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, or what have you, the “they” in “they went out and preached everywhere” refers back to the people Jesus was addressing – and that’s set out in verse 14: at length He appeared
to the Eleven. Jesus gave the Great Commission to the Apostles, who passed that duty on to their successors – the bishops.
Now, that being said, yes, the laity have a duty to spread the good news. It’s right there in the Bible:
[9]But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [10] Who in time past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy; but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10.
We have a duty to spread the Gospel. But that duty doesn’t flow from the Great Commission, because the Great Commission is directed toward the Apostles and their successors. Our duty is subordinate to theirs. That’s why they have the teaching authority, and their word supersedes ours.
