A Peep Into The Great Commission: Go Ye Therefore And Make Disciples… Matthew 28: 19.

A PEEP INTO THE GREAT COMMISSION: GO YE THEREFORE, AND MAKE DISCIPLES… MATTHEW 28: 19.

By

Uwomano Ben Okpevra, JP, PhD, MA.Div.

ubokpevra@gmail.com

Text: Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost

The Great Commission: The concept of the Great Commission, while lacking a known originator, gained prominence through the efforts of James Hudson Taylor, a British Protestant Christian missionary who dedicated his life to China. Taylor, born on May 21, 1832, and passing away on June 3, 1905, established the China Inland Mission (CIM) in 1865, later renamed the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF International) in 1964. He dedicated 51 years of his life to China, where the society he initiated sent forth over 800 missionaries who established 125 schools and facilitated 18,000 Christian conversions. Furthermore, this endeavour led to the establishment of more than 300 workstations, employing over 500 local assistants across all eighteen provinces of China.

Taylor's approach was distinctive due to his profound respect for Chinese culture and his unwavering commitment to evangelism. He even embraced native Chinese attire, a rarity among missionaries of his era. Under his leadership, the CIM was notably inclusive, welcoming members from various Protestant denominations. Consequently, Hudson Taylor is acknowledged as one of the most influential Europeans to have visited China during the 19th century. As historian Ruth Tucker aptly summarized, Taylor's vision and systematic approach to evangelizing a vast geographical region set him apart as a missionary figure unrivalled since the days of the Apostle Paul.

The theological foundation for the Great Commission can be traced to specific passages in the New Testament, including Matthew 28:16–20, Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:44-49, and John 20:19-23. These biblical accounts encapsulate the essence of the Great Commission in Christianity, which entails the resurrected Jesus Christ instructing his disciples to disseminate the gospel to all corners of the world. The crux of the Great Commission, as articulated in Matthew 28:16–20, occurs on a Galilean mountaintop, where Jesus charges his followers with the duty to make disciples of all nations through baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This commission finds parallels in other Synoptic Gospels, albeit with notable distinctions. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus dispatches disciples during his ministry, including the seventy disciples, authorizing them to journey to the farthest corners of the world and granting them authority over demonic forces.

The concluding chapters of Matthew describe Jesus' appearances in Galilee and his final mandate. Instead of conveying his message in his own words, Matthew preserves the Lord's post-resurrection teaching verbatim.

In summary, the Great Commission, recorded across various biblical passages, compels evangelical Christians to fulfil the responsibility of going forth, making disciples, teaching, and baptizing. Although initially bestowed directly upon the eleven Apostles, evangelical Christian theology widely interprets this commission as a directive for all believers, transcending time and place. This interpretation is particularly poignant, echoing the promise of God's blessing to all families on Earth through Abraham's lineage in Genesis 12:3.

Consequently, the command is clear: disciples are to be made among all nations, spanning diverse people groups and ethnicities. The inclusion of individuals from every corner of the world into the family of God underscores the broad scope of this mission. A disciple, in this context, receives instruction, specifically a baptized follower of Christ who adheres to His teachings. Discipleship to Jesus entails imitating his example, adhering to his sacrifice, believing in his resurrection, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and carrying out his work. Making disciples, as outlined in the Great Commission, involves teaching and training individuals to follow and obey Christ.

Baptism and obedience, two key elements emphasized by Jesus in this command, serve as hallmarks of discipleship. Baptism signifies a believer's commitment to follow Jesus, and the disciples were granted authority to perform this act in the name of God, marking an individual's position within God's eternal family. It is essential to note that Jesus does not instruct his disciples to "print Bibles" or engage in similar endeavours. While the written Word of God is the ultimate reference for matters of faith, the primary work of the Great Commission is the cooperative, mentoring process known as "discipleship."

Acts 1:8 is often viewed as an extension of the Great Commission. In this verse, Jesus promises the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The book of Acts demonstrates how the apostles progressively carried out this commission, starting in Jerusalem, spreading to Judea and Samaria, and ultimately reaching the farthest corners of the world.

Today, as ambassadors for Christ, we continue to advocate reconciliation with God and strive to fulfil the Great Commission's call to spread the gospel to all nations