In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus Christ issued a monumental charge to His followers – a mission that would shape the course of history and define the purpose of His Church. Known as the Great Commission, this divine mandate, primarily recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 and echoed in Mark 16:15-16, lays out a clear, comprehensive blueprint for how disciples of Christ are to be made. It's a process that spans from initial outreach to ongoing spiritual formation, revealing the very heart of God for humanity.
1. The Mandate to "Go": Taking the Initiative
The commission begins with an active command: "Go therefore..." (Matthew 28:19) and "Go into all the world..." (Mark 16:15). This immediately establishes that disciple-making is not a passive endeavor, waiting for people to come to us. Instead, it requires intentional, proactive outreach. The scope is global – "all nations," "the whole creation" – emphasizing that God's redemptive plan is for every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. It calls believers out of their comfort zones and into the vast harvest field of humanity.
2. The Message to "Proclaim the Gospel": The Core of the Outreach
As we "go," the essential message is the "gospel" or "good news" (Mark 16:15). This isn't just about sharing moral lessons or philosophical insights; it's about declaring the saving truth of Jesus Christ. It encompasses His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and His triumphant resurrection from the dead. It is this transformative message that holds the power to redeem lives and reconcile humanity to God.
3. The Call to "Believe": The Essential Response
The proclamation of the gospel demands a response. Mark 16:16 clarifies this: "Whoever believes..." Disciples are not simply made by hearing the message, but by personally receiving it through faith. This belief is not merely intellectual assent; it is a heart-felt trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is the crucial turning point where an individual embraces God's offer of salvation.
4. The Act of "Baptizing": Identification and Initiation
Once belief takes root, the next commanded step is baptism: "...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Mark 16:16 also links belief and baptism with salvation. Baptism serves as:
A Public Declaration: It's the believer's first public confession of faith and commitment to Christ.
Symbolic Identification: It powerfully symbolizes the believer's spiritual union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Going into the water represents dying to the old sinful self, and rising from the water signifies new life in Christ.
Initiation into the Church: In the early church, baptism was the normative gateway into the visible community of believers.
While salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), baptism is the commanded act of obedience that outwardly expresses and seals that saving faith.
5. The Process of "Teaching to Observe": Ongoing Discipleship
The making of a disciple does not conclude with belief and baptism. Matthew 28:20 continues, "...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This highlights that discipleship is a lifelong journey of learning and obedience. It's about:
Comprehensive Instruction: Teaching the full scope of Christ's commands and teachings.
Practical Application: Emphasizing "observing" or "obeying," not just knowing. The goal is transformation into Christ-like character and behavior.
Lifelong Growth: Discipleship is a continuous process of spiritual formation, leading to maturity and faithful living for God's glory.
The Timeless Commission
The Great Commission remains the Church's timeless and universal mandate. It defines our purpose: to go, proclaim, call for belief, baptize, and teach. It underscores that disciple-making is a holistic process, beginning with an initial conversion and extending to a lifetime of growth and obedience. And underlying it all is Jesus' comforting promise: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20), assuring His followers of His abiding presence and power as they carry out this divine blueprint.
