In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus said, ““I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all people groups, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Known as the Great Commission, these three verses represent the final mandate given to the Church by her Lord before He ascended to Heaven. Taken together, Jesus was instructing us that:
- He is the possessor of all authority in Heaven and earth.
- Consequently, His followers are to make disciples everywhere, focusing on those people groups who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ.
- As people from these various ethnic/language groups come to Christ, the church is to permit them baptism, carried out in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- As they begin to follow Jesus Christ, the Church is to teach each new convert to obey everything that Jesus has commanded.
- And these new disciples are to remember that Jesus will will always be with them.
So, in light of what the Bible says, these verses express the core of the disciples’ purpose and practice. Disciples can carry out this mission because Jesus is ever present with them.