The Authority of "Ye" in "Go Ye"

When a church is authorized to be an organized, constituted church, it has the authority to preach the Word, to fulfill the Great Commission, and to practice the ordinances. It has the authority and obligation to edify the brethren within the body, to represent Christ in the world, and to glorify its Head, Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that ministry is to be done in and through the local church, which is Christ’s institution of corporate worship for the NT era. In the OT, the institution of corporate worship was the nation of Israel. God gave His Word to Israel, along with the requirements for worship and the duty to reach the nations around them with the gospel. That privilege has now been given to the church.

Preaching the gospel to the lost, whether in our area or in a new location (at home or abroad) is to take place through the church. Baptizing and observing the Lord’s Table takes place under the authority of the church. Teaching and preaching the Word of God is authorized by the same authority. Matthew 28:19-20 summarizes it: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The ye in “Go ye” is the church, the assembly Christ instituted before He ascended into heaven. Each one of Christ’s churches has the authority to preach and teach the Word, to evangelize and to make disciples, and to practice the ordinances. Christ authorized His church to fulfill these functions of worship; therefore, NT churches have the authority to practice these functions of worship.