What Is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, is a clarion call for every believer. With these powerful words, Jesus entrusted His followers with a mission:
- Go — Build His Kingdom wherever you are.
- Teach — Share what Jesus has done for you.
- Baptize — Welcome new believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This divine commission provides a clear directive: to make disciples of all nations. By fulfilling these commands, we actively participate in God’s plan to reach the world with the Gospel.
Scriptural Foundation
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV):
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 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: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The Great Commission is not a command we fulfill in our own strength. In Acts 1:8, we are reminded that:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This promise empowers us to be Christ’s witnesses. The pattern laid out in Acts illustrates how this mission expands:
- Jerusalem: Our local communities
- Judea & Samaria: Our regions and neighboring communities
- To the ends of the earth: Our global mission
Our Ongoing Call
As believers, we are ambassadors for Christ, tasked with a monumental responsibility. Our mission aligns with God’s desire for all to be saved:
Scriptural affirmations of our calling include:
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV): 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.
- Jude 1:3: …exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
- 1 Timothy 2:4: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
- Luke 19:13: …Occupy till I come.
Until every ear has heard, the Great Commission continues, calling us to be active participants in God’s kingdom.
Study the Book of Revelation
As part of our commitment to understanding God’s purpose, exploring the final book of the Bible can deepen our insights. Check out Junior Tate’s upcoming Revelation Study:
- Explore: A verse-by-verse journey through the Book of Revelation.
- Coming Soon: The Revelation Study Guide and Book.
Stay tuned for sample chapters and purchase links!
