THE Great Commission is found in all the gospel accounts: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:47-49 and John 20:21-23. The question is, exactly what is it? Jesus' closing words in Matthew 28 provided the fullness of the task charged to all believers:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples in all nations, baptizing them into 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 until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
“Go into all the world and PREACH the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). In the earlier verses Mark recorded, "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15). This instruction primarily refers to the future hope, the good news that the kingdom of God promises (cf. Mark 1:1,14-15, Matt.9:25).
The Great Commission is two-fold. Mark’s version revealed that the first part is about the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom:
“Go into all the world and PREACH the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). In the earlier verses Mark recorded, "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15). This instruction primarily refers to the future hope, the good news that the kingdom of God promises (cf. Mark 1:1,14-15, Matt.9:25).
The second part contains the present and immediate redemptive blessing this call will bring to everyone who believes. The gospel of Mark thus continues,
“Whoever BELIEVES and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned… they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark16:16-18). The second speaks of the salvation and healing that everyone will receive from believing in the message and works of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18-19)!
Thus, the Great Commission speaks not only of the MESSAGE (kingdom of God) of Jesus Christ, but also the PREPARATION it takes to enter into the kingdom. This call involves repentance of sin, acceptance of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, undergoing baptism and receiving God's Spirit, and living a life of obedience to God's commandments, His Will and His Way (Acts 2:38, 28:31). As Luke succinctly put it,
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)
Therefore, John’s account of Jesus words provide the equipping and empowering mandate to preach:
"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’” (John 20:21-23)
And, in His final word just before His ascension, Jesus declared that the mandate is without proscription (or limit):
"And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 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.'” (Acts 1:7-8)
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