Is The Great Commission is for All Disciples?
Matthew 28:18-20 is very important for understanding what Christians are on about . Sometimes I hear people saying that it doesn’t apply to all Christians, just the disciples, those immediately present with Jesus when he said what he said. Therefore, unless we are “evangelists”, we are “off the hook” when it comes to evangelism.
I take it that Jesus meant these words for all disciples. Here are a few reasons why.
1. Universality
What Jesus commands here is for everyone, not just a few people. This becomes clear when we see the universal language Jesus uses:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20)
Not just some authority given to him. He’s given all authority. Not just authority on earth. In heaven too. Not just of some nations. All nations. Not just teaching people to obey some things. Everything. This task is massive. The disciples can’t possibly do it on their own/ They’re going to need help from every Christian ever.
2. What it Means to be a Disciple
Jesus calls the disciples to teach new believers to observe “everything I have commanded you”, which would include the command to make disciples themselves. If you’re going to be a disciple, this will involve sharing Jesus with people. It’s pretty hard to do this unless every generation of believers is included in this mandate.
3. The Promise of Jesus’ Presence
The passage concludes with Jesus saying, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Super encouraging! This promise indicates that the commission extends beyond the physical presence of the original disciples and continues through all ages, implying its relevance to all Christians throughout time. (Unless the disciples never died. But … they died. )
Conclusion
So, the great commission is best understood as being for all Christians, for all disciples. But we shouldn’t see this as a burden. This is a joy and a privilege. Just as the Son of God was sent on a mission from God, so now he sends us. We get to be a part of something massive, something that impacts people’s futures forevermore.
