BibleAsk-Logo

What is the importance of the great commission?

SHARE

By BibleAsk Team


The Great Commission, as recorded in the Gospels, is one of the most pivotal moments in Christian Scripture. It is the directive given by Jesus Christ to His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all that He commanded. This command has shaped the mission and identity of the Christian Church throughout history and continues to be the foundation for Christian evangelism and discipleship. Understanding the importance of the Great Commission is essential for grasping the core mission of the Church and the calling of every believer.

1. The Scriptural Basis of the Great Commission

The Great Commission is recorded in several places in the New Testament, with the most well-known passage being found in the Gospel of Matthew.

  • Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV):
    “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”

This passage highlights several key aspects of the Great Commission: the authority of Christ, the command to go and make disciples, the sacrament of baptism, the teaching of Christ’s commands, and the promise of His continual presence.

2. The Authority of Christ

a. The Basis for the Commission

The Great Commission begins with a declaration of Jesus’ authority: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” This authority is the foundation for the command that follows. Because Jesus has supreme authority, His command to make disciples is not just a suggestion but an imperative that carries divine weight.

  • Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV):
    “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This passage in Philippians underscores the authority of Christ, which underpins the Great Commission. The universal lordship of Jesus means that His command to make disciples applies to all people everywhere.

b. The Sovereignty of Christ Over Mission

The authority of Christ also implies His sovereignty over the mission of the Church. The success of the mission does not rest on human efforts alone but on the authority and power of Christ, who rules over all creation.

  • Ephesians 1:22-23 (NKJV):
    “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

The Church, as the body of Christ, operates under His authority and is empowered by His presence to fulfill the mission He has given.

3. The Command to Make Disciples

a. The Call to Go

The Great Commission begins with the word “Go,” which indicates that the mission of making disciples is not a passive one. The disciples are commanded to go out into the world, crossing cultural, geographical, and social boundaries to bring the message of the Gospel to all nations.

  • Mark 16:15 (NKJV):
    “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'”

This command to go into all the world highlights the universal scope of the Great Commission. The Gospel is not limited to a specific group of people but is intended for all humanity.

b. Making Disciples as the Central Task

The central task of the Great Commission is to make disciples. This involves more than just converting individuals; it includes teaching them to follow Jesus, helping them grow in their faith, and equipping them to obey His commands.

  • Matthew 4:19 (NKJV):
    “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”

Jesus’ call to His first disciples to become “fishers of men” foreshadows the Great Commission. Making disciples is about leading others to follow Jesus, just as the first disciples followed Him.

c. Discipleship as a Lifelong Process

Discipleship is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of learning, growing, and becoming more like Christ. The Great Commission emphasizes the importance of teaching new disciples to observe all that Jesus commanded.

  • John 8:31 (NKJV):
    “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.'”

Abiding in Jesus’ word—remaining in His teachings and living according to them—is the mark of true discipleship. The Great Commission calls for a deep and ongoing commitment to learning and obedience.

4. The Rite of Baptism

a. Baptism as an Initiation into the Community of Faith

Baptism is a key component of the Great Commission, serving as the outward sign of an individual’s initiation into the Christian faith and the community of believers. It symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

  • Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV):
    “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Baptism represents the believer’s new life in Christ and their inclusion in the body of Christ, the Church.

b. Baptism in the Name of the Godhead

The Great Commission specifies that baptism is to be done “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This Trinitarian formula emphasizes the believer’s relationship with the triune God and reflects the fullness of the Christian faith.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV):
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

This benediction reflects the Trinitarian nature of the Christian faith, which is affirmed in the act of baptism as part of the Great Commission.

5. Teaching and Obedience

a. Teaching as an Essential Part of Discipleship

The Great Commission includes the command to teach new disciples “to observe all things that I have commanded you.” This underscores the importance of doctrinal instruction and moral guidance in the process of discipleship.

  • 2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV):
    “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

The transmission of sound doctrine from one generation to the next is crucial for the health and growth of the Church. The Great Commission calls for a commitment to teaching that ensures the continuity of the faith.

b. Obedience as the Goal of Teaching

The goal of teaching in the Great Commission is not merely intellectual knowledge but practical obedience. Disciples are to observe, or keep, all that Jesus commanded, living out His teachings in their daily lives.

  • James 1:22 (NKJV):
    “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

True discipleship involves putting into practice the teachings of Jesus, demonstrating the reality of faith through obedience.

6. The Promise of Christ’s Presence

a. The Assurance of Divine Presence

The Great Commission concludes with the promise, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This assurance of Christ’s continual presence is crucial for the disciples as they carry out the mission.

  • Matthew 1:23 (NKJV):
    “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.'”

Jesus’ title “Immanuel” signifies His role as God with us, a promise that extends beyond His earthly ministry and continues with His followers through the Holy Spirit.

b. The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit

The presence of Christ with His disciples is realized through the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers for the mission of the Great Commission.

  • Acts 1:8 (NKJV):
    “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Holy Spirit equips the Church to fulfill the Great Commission, providing the power and guidance needed to spread the Gospel effectively.

7. The Global and Eschatological Scope

a. The Universal Mission

The Great Commission has a global scope, extending to “all nations.” This universal mission reflects God’s desire for all people to come to a saving knowledge of the truth.

  • 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV):
    “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The Great Commission calls the Church to reach out to every nation, tribe, and tongue, proclaiming the Gospel to all people.

b. The Eschatological Hope

The Great Commission is also eschatological, pointing to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan at the end of the age. The Church’s mission is to prepare the way for Christ’s return by making disciples of all nations.

  • Matthew 24:14 (NKJV):
    “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

The successful completion of the Great Commission is linked to the return of Christ, giving urgency to the mission of the Church.

8. Conclusion

The Great Commission is of paramount importance in the Christian faith, shaping the mission and identity of the Church. It is a command rooted in the authority of Christ, calling believers to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey Jesus’ teachings. The promise of Christ’s presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit ensure that this mission can be fulfilled. The Great Commission has a global and eschatological scope, reflecting God’s desire for all people to be saved and pointing to the culmination of His redemptive plan. As such, it remains the central mandate for the Church, guiding its efforts in evangelism, discipleship, and the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Check out the Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics. 

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

We'd love your feedback, so leave a comment!

If you feel an answer is not 100% Bible based, then leave a comment, and we'll be sure to review it.
Our aim is to share the Word and be true to it.