What is the Great Commission?

Response

Matthew 28:19–20 includes what is known as the Great Commission: “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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus gave this directive to the apostles shortly before His ascension into heaven, outlining what He expected them and their followers to do in His absence.

It is noteworthy that, in the original Greek, the sole direct command in Matthew 28:19–20 is “make disciples.” The Great Commission urges us to make disciples as we journey throughout the world. The directives to “go,” “baptize,” and “teach” are indirect commands—participles in the original text. How do we make disciples? By baptizing and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. “Make disciples” stands as the principal command of the Great Commission. “Going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” serve as the means through which we carry out the command to “make disciples.”

A disciple is someone who receives guidance from another individual; a Christian disciple is a baptized follower of Christ, one who embraces the teachings of Christ. A disciple of Christ mirrors Jesus’ example, holds fast to His sacrifice, believes in His resurrection, possesses the Holy Spirit, and lives to carry out His work. The directive in the Great Commission to “make disciples” entails instructing or guiding individuals to follow and obey Christ.

Many interpret Acts 1:8 as part of the Great Commission too: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all JudIn Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Great Commission is empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are to serve as witnesses for Christ, carrying out the Great Commission in our local communities (Jerusalem), in our regions and nations (Judea and Samaria), and wherever else God directs us (to the ends of the earth).

Throughout the book of Acts, we observe how the apostles initiated the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as detailed in Acts 1:8. Initially, Jerusalem is evangelized (Acts 1 – 7); then the Spirit extends the church into Judea and Samaria (Acts 8 – 12); ultimately, the gospel spreads to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 13 – 28). Today, we continue to serve as representatives for Christ, and “we implore on Christ’s behalf: ‘Be reconciled to God’” «Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. », (2 Corinthians 5:20, CSB).

We have been given a precious gift: “the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” «Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. », (Jude 1:3). Jesus’ words in the Great Commission reveal the heart of God, who desires “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” «who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. », (1 Timothy 2:4). The Great Commission urges us to proclaim the good news until all have heard. Like the servants in Jesus’ parable, we are to be engaged in the work of the kingdom, discipling all nations: “He called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and

He said to them, “Engage in business until I come.” «And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Engage in business until I come. », (Luke 19:13, KJV).