How does Galatians 2:8 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? The Commission Stated—“All Nations” Means Everyone “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) • Command: “go and make disciples” • Scope: “all nations” (literally “all the peoples”) • Method: baptizing + teaching obedience • Promise: Christ’s abiding presence to empower the work The Commission Applied—One Mission, Two Apostles “For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.” (Galatians 2:8) • Same divine Worker—“God…was at work” • Same apostolic authority—sent ones carrying Christ’s gospel • Different primary audiences: – Peter: “the circumcised” (Jews) – Paul: “the Gentiles” (nations) • Together they embody Matthew 28’s reach to every people group Shared Power, Shared Gospel • The risen Christ promised His presence (Matthew 28:20); Galatians 2:8 shows that promise being fulfilled—God actively energizing both apostles. • Acts 1:8 links the two texts: the Spirit’s power sends witnesses “in Jerusalem…Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Peter leads the Jerusalem witness (Acts 2), Paul spearheads the “ends of the earth” (Acts 13 ff.). • One gospel—“Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2); no alternate messages (Galatians 1:8-9). Different fields, identical seed. Complementary Callings Complete the Great Commission 1. Unity in diversity: distinct assignments prevent gospel bottlenecks. 2. Mutual recognition (Galatians 2:9): Peter, James, and John give Paul “the right hand of fellowship,” showing cooperative obedience to Christ’s command. 3. Strategic stewardship: God entrusts resources and gifting according to audiences (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Living the Connection Today • Embrace your specific sphere—family, workplace, culture—while affirming the universal mandate. • Honor other believers’ callings; together we reach “all nations.” • Depend on the same divine power that fueled Peter and Paul (Philippians 2:13). • Guard the one gospel; methods may differ, message must remain unchanged (Jude 3). |
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