Is Matthew 28:19 Jesus' Own Command or an Invented Tale?

Shabbat Shalom Remember the Sabbath

I humbly submit for review consideration, testing, and sharpening.

Question:

Is Matthew 28:19 Jesus' own command, or is there someone who commanded him?

Analysis of Matthew 28:19

Mattithyahu Matthew 28:19: Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Rabbi John 6:37-40: "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I shall never cast out. Because I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I should not lose anything, but should raise them up at the last day. Therefore, this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Early Church's Invention or Authentic Commandment?

Neither. The story of a risen Jesus was made up by the early church around 125 CE to make it seem that Jesus said the things they wished he would have said when he was alive. This command was added to give the impression that God was one in three persons.

This hypothesis can be proven by referring to other New Testament verses. In Acts 2:38, we see the Apostle Peter baptizing in only the name of Jesus Christ, not the three names that Jesus allegedly commanded the eleven apostles to use when baptizing.

Moreover, it is interesting to note that Jesus is said to have commanded the apostles to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:16). However, as late as 50 CE, at the Jerusalem Council, the apostles were still not preaching to Gentiles. This provides strong evidence that there were no actual appearances of a risen Jesus.

The Role of the Early Church in Shaping the Narrative

It is crucial to understand the role of the early church in shaping and preserving these narratives. The church had a vested interest in presenting Jesus as a heavenly being with divinity, rather than a mere human figure. The addition of the trinitarian command in Matthew 28:19 served to consolidate this belief.

The discrepancies observed in other New Testament writings, such as the timing of the apostles' missionary work, further support the idea that these accounts were constructs created to fit the early church's theological framework rather than accurate historical recordings.

Conclusion and Reflection

While the Bible and Christian traditions present Matthew 28:19 as a direct command from Jesus, understanding the historical context and the motivations behind the early church paints a different picture. The command may be seen as a later invention rather than an authentic historical commandment.

Shabbat Shalom and remember the Sabbath. May this exploration of the scriptures provide enlightenment and understanding.