Great Commission
Referenced in 25 chapter analyses
Walk these chapters over 25 days — the corpus’s own order, divided. Not a curated plan.
Overview
The Great Commission refers to Jesus' command to His disciples to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations, as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20. It serves as a foundational mandate for Christian mission and evangelism.
The Great Commission was given after Jesus' resurrection, during a time when His disciples were grappling with the implications of His death and resurrection. This command set the stage for the early church's mission in a diverse and often hostile world.
Key themes
- Discipleship
- Evangelism
- Authority of Christ
- Presence of God
Key verses
- Matthew 28:19-20These verses encapsulate the essence of the Great Commission, outlining the command to make disciples and the promise of Jesus' presence.
- Acts 1:8This verse reinforces the geographical and cultural scope of the mission, emphasizing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Notable passages
- Matthew 28:18-20Jesus declares His authority and commands His followers to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands.
- Mark 16:15Jesus instructs His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
- Acts 1:8Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and commissions His followers to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Practical applications
- Engage in personal evangelism and outreach efforts within local communities.
- Participate in or support missions that aim to reach unreached people groups.
- Cultivate a lifestyle of discipleship, mentoring others in their faith journey.
Theological significance
- Affirms the authority of Christ as the risen Lord who commands His followers.
- Highlights the universal scope of the Gospel, transcending cultural and national boundaries.
- Emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for mission.
Connected topics
- 153 Fish
The event foreshadows the disciples' future role in evangelism and the Great Commission to spread the Gospel.
- All the Earth
The command to make disciples of all nations connects directly to the theme of 'all the earth' as it emphasizes the global scope of the Gospel.
- Ambassador for Christ
The call to be an ambassador aligns with the Great Commission, emphasizing the responsibility of Christians to share the Gospel.
- Apostello
The concept of 'apostello' is central to the Great Commission, emphasizing the call to evangelism and discipleship.
- Apostolic Mission
The Great Commission is the foundational mandate for the Apostolic Mission, emphasizing the call to evangelize and disciple all nations.
- Biblical Mandate
The Great Commission is a central aspect of the biblical mandate, emphasizing the call to evangelism and discipleship.
- Discipleship
The Great Commission emphasizes the importance of making disciples, which involves teaching and nurturing new believers in their faith.
- Divine Commission
The Divine Commission is often synonymous with the Great Commission, emphasizing the call to evangelism and discipleship.
- Ends of the Earth
The call to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth is central to the Great Commission given by Jesus.
- Evangelism
The call to preach the Gospel to all nations is central to the Great Commission, highlighting the urgency and scope of evangelistic efforts.
- Evangelist
The call to evangelism is rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations.
- Gospel Reach
The Great Commission is the foundational mandate for Gospel Reach, outlining the call to evangelize and disciple all nations.
- Gospel Spread
The Great Commission serves as the foundational mandate for the spread of the Gospel, emphasizing the call to evangelism.
- Gospel to All Nations
The Great Commission is the foundational mandate for the church to spread the Gospel to all nations.
- Gospel to Gentiles
The command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations directly relates to the mission of bringing the Gospel to Gentiles.
- Jesus' Appearances After the Resurrection
Jesus' appearances culminate in the Great Commission, where He sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Pentecost
The empowerment of the apostles at Pentecost equips them to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by spreading the Gospel to all nations.
- Spread of the Gospel
The Great Commission serves as the foundational mandate for the spread of the Gospel, emphasizing the call to evangelism.
- Universal Church
The call to spread the gospel to all nations reflects the universal mission of the church.
- Universal Reach of the Gospel
The Great Commission serves as a foundational mandate for the church's mission to reach all nations with the Gospel.
Chapters that reference this
Old Testament
- Psalms 96Symbolism
- Psalms 117Themes
- Isaiah 12Theological Insights
- Isaiah 66Practical Applications
- Zechariah 8Theological Insights
New Testament
- Matthew 9Key Events
- Matthew 10Cultural Impact
- Matthew 24Study Questions
- Matthew 28Cross-References · Cultural Impact · Geography · Historical Context · Key Events · Key Figures · Linguistic Insights · Liturgical Usage · Practical Applications · Study Questions · Symbolism · Themes · Theological Insights
- Mark 4Geography
- Mark 6Linguistic Insights
- Mark 16Cross-References · Cultural Impact · Key Events · Linguistic Insights · Practical Applications · Study Questions · Symbolism · Themes · Theological Insights
- Luke 24Key Events
- John 4Theological Insights
- John 17Theological Insights
- John 20Cultural Impact · Theological Insights
- John 21Geography
- Acts 1Themes · Theological Insights
- Acts 2Cross-References
- Acts 8Cross-References · Theological Insights
- Acts 10Symbolism
- Acts 13Themes
- Romans 15Geography · Practical Applications · Themes
- 1 Corinthians 15Geography
- 2 Corinthians 5Symbolism