05-04-2009, 03:30 PM
Wael,
If that were the instructions being given, it would have stated "of you". This is merely speculation on your part.
As far as Stauros is concerned, there are many types of this object used for torture.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon states:
2a) a well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves
McClintock & Strong's Cyclopedia states:
The crux simplex, or mere stake “of one single piece without transom,” was probably the original of the rest. Sometimes it was merely driven through the man’s chest, but at other times it was driven longitudinally coming out at the mouth, a method of punishment called infixio. The afixio consisted merely of tying the criminal to the stake from which he hung by his arms.
The crux decussata is in the shape of the Greek letter X.
The crux commissa was in the shape of a T. This shape is often alluded to as “the mystical Tau”.
The crux immissa (or Latin cross) differed from the former by the projection of the upright post above the transverse beam. That this was the kind of cross on which our Lord died is obvious (among other reasons) from the mention of the “title” (q.v.), as placed above our Lord’s head...it is repeatedly found on the coins and columns of Constantine.
We can see from the above that there were a few types of "crosses" used for torture, the last being the one used to crucify Christ.
As for what Christ commanded his disciples, in the same book of Matthew a little further on, after Christ was crucified and rose on the third day we read:
Matthew 28:16-20
(16) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed and made appointment with them.
(17) And when they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him; but some doubted.
(18) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, <b>ALL AUTHORITY</b>(all power of rule) <b>IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH</b> has been given to Me.
(19) <b>GO THEN AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS</b>, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(20) Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
Since this is clearly written, I'm sure you'll have no trouble understanding that Jesus' message was indeed intended for all mankind. Paul stated it this way:
Romans 1:16
(16) For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
(and fyi, the holy spirit is not a "she")