The Great Comission - part 1

Going

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." (Matt 28: 19-20)

In the English language, Matthew 28:19 is an imperative sentence. Jesus' direction to his followers to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach, is not an option or an extra of the Christian life, they are absolute imperatives! Jesus made it clear that the task of spreading the good news wasn't to be simply a sideline of his followers, it was to be an integral part of their being. This had been a recurring theme in Jesus instructions to his closest followers. He hadn't told them that they could be or might become the salt of the earth. He told them "You are the salt of the earth." Instead of telling them that they might someday have the potential to enlighten some people, He told them "You are the light of the world". And before His ascension He left them no other option. He said "you will be my witnesses."

Let's take a closer look at these imperatives or commands.

Go

Staying in the upper room and sharing fellowship only with one another wasn't an option. Likewise, we, His followers today do not legitimately have the option of staying within the four walls of our church buildings. We are expected to go out among those who need to know the Savior and show His love to them.

Make Disciples

As witnesses of the power of God to change people's lives, our job is not just to "make believers", but to strive to convince individuals to become close followers and devoted "students" of Jesus.

Baptizing

The word "baptize" comes from a Greek word that means to immerse in water. Jesus’ command was not only to initiate people into the Kingdom through the ordinance of Baptism, but also to show them how to immerse themselves into the living water that is the life that Jesus promises.

Teaching them to obey

We teach primarily by example. We have "seen" how Jesus acts, and we model that to those with whom we come in contact.

Though these four commands are absolute imperatives, they may at first seem overwhelming. However they are followed by a promise from Jesus himself. We have the great privilege and joy of the Lord's presence in our lives as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission. So “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.”