The Great Commission

What is the “Great Commission“?

The Great Commission represents the command Jesus gave to His disciples shortly before He ascended back into heaven. It is found in Matthew 28:19-20 and states: 
“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.”
A couple clarifying points about the Great Commission:
  • it applies to all believers (followers of Jesus) today, yesterday, and in the future
  • it is a command and not a suggestion (it’s the “Great Commission” and not the “Great Suggestion”)
  • we make disciples by “going”, “baptizing”, and “teaching” others
  • it applies both locally and globally
  
Acts 1:8 is considered another verse related to the Great Commission. Acts 1:8 states:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This verse tells us that believers are enabled to perform the Great Commission by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that indwells them. In other words, as believers, followers, and witnesses of Jesus, we are equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to “go”, “baptize”, and “teach” in our:
  • cities (Jerusalem)
  • states and countries (Judea and Samaria)
  • anywhere God sends us (to the ends of the earth)
Another popular and related Great Commission Bible verse is Matthew 4:19 which states:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
It’s important to note that our role in the Great Commission is simply to help “catch” men (by sharing the gospel message), but it is God who supernaturally “cleans” men (by wiping away all their sins and giving them a new heart and a new spirit).
In summary, as believers we are ambassadors for Christ by sharing the gospel and helping reconcile mankind back to God.
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
It’s important to note that God’s gospel has not reached its final destination if someone in your family, workplace, school, friend group, or community has not heard the good news about Jesus. Make sure that you are contributing in some way to the spreading of God’s wonderful salvation message.

The Great Commission Poster Gallery

EXTRA: Consider handing out our free and very popular Gospel tract to help in your Great Commission efforts and activities! [Click "Go to Gospel Tract Printable" page.]

The $1 Million Dollar Question:

Will you go to Heaven when you die? Here’s a quick test:
Q. Have you ever told a lie?
Q. Have you ever stolen anything?
Q. Have you ever used God’s name in vain?
Q. Have you ever lusted over someone?
Q. Have you ever hated someone?

If you have done these things, God sees you as a liar, a thief, a blasphemer, an adulterer-at-heart, and a murderer-at-heart. And this is only 5 of God’s Ten Commandments (a/k/a “God’s Law”). And the Bible warns that on the Day of Judgment, God will punish you in a terrible place called Hell. But, there is “good news”! God is not willing that any should perish. Sinners broke God’s Law, but Jesus paid their fine by shedding His sinless blood on a cross ~2,000 years ago. This means that God can legally dismiss their case (and yours!): “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Then Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death. Today, repent (turn away from your sins), put your complete trust in Jesus, and confess Jesus as your Lord & Savior… and God will give you eternal life as a free gift.

The $1 Million Dollar Myth:

Contrary to popular belief, being a “good person”, doing “good deeds”, or being “religious” will not get you a ticket to heaven! Many people are hoping God will dismiss their sins because their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. They further hope that because God is “good” he will let them go unpunished and enter heaven. However, because God is “good” he must by nature punish sinners (i.e., God would not be a good judge if he let criminals go free). The Bible states: “There is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) The Bible also states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) And finally, think about this, if your goodness could save you, Jesus would have died in vain (i.e., for no good reason). The Bible states: “I (Jesus) am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me. (John
14:6) Friends, please don’t “roll-the-dice” and gamble your eternal life on the life-threatening lie that being a “good person” will get you to heaven.

Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus:

Here is a prayer you can use to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior. It is a suggested prayer – the key is that you are speaking from your heart.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me turn away from sin going forward. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus into my heart and I confess him as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for sending your Holy Spirit to help me obey you, and to do your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Congratulations! And welcome to God’s family!

 

Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus:

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    I am a Christian and want to grow in my faith.I am recommitting my life to Christ.

    I still have questions:

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