Is the Great Commission in Matthew the commission for believers today?
No. The Great Commission in Matthew was given to the twelve, contingent on Israel maintaining her relationship with God and becoming His vehicle. That commission does not fit believers today. Instead, the fitting New Testament concept is that every believer is an ambassador, a representative of another government living in a foreign country.
Les explains that although churches emphasize the Great Commission, he maintains it is not so much the one in Matthew. That commission was given to the twelve, providing Israel could have maintained her relationship with God and become the vehicle, but today it just doesn't fit. The commission that fits is Paul's concept that every believer is an ambassador: a representative of a government living in a foreign country, illustrated by an ambassador from Washington living in Tokyo.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
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