The Great Commission

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (English Standard Version, ESV)

This passage is what many refer to as “The Great Commission.” According to Merriam-Webster, commission means to appoint or to assign to a task or function. It is also a formal, written warrant granting power to perform various acts or duties. It refers to the authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts.

Jesus commissions His followers, including us. Jesus said that He has all authority, and, according to Philippians 2, that authority is in all three realms: Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Jesus overcame it all. When Jesus told them (and us) to go, He authorized us all to go and to make disciples of all nations, or ethnos in Greek, which means ethnic groups. We do this by using Jesus’ name, acting on His Word, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit empowerment comes when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1 and 2). We make disciples by teaching what Jesus said, which is to teach them the Word of God. The life that Jesus lived was one of total power and victory over anything He faced. Since Jesus is now with us and in us, we can overcome as He did. He preached, taught, and healed the people. He preached to the lost and to the poor. He taught God’s Word to anyone who had an ear to hear. He healed anybody of anything as long as they believed and received what he had to offer. We are told to do the same.

We have Jesus’ promises and presence. By these, Jesus is with us always- even to the end of the age. He gave us His name as our authority. Therefore, we can take command over sickness, death, poverty, storms, devils, evil, and wrong in Jesus’ name. We can do all the works Jesus did, and even greater works because He went back to the Father and gave us His Spirit. Now, everywhere we go, He goes with us confirming His Word with signs following. Go, therefore!