📖 Biblical Definition
The Great Commission is Christ's authoritative command given after His resurrection: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20). The central imperative is to "make disciples" — not merely to convert, but to baptize and teach. The Commission is grounded in Christ's universal authority and accompanied by His promise of perpetual presence. It defines the mission of the church in every age: to proclaim the gospel, bring converts into the covenant community through baptism, and teach them the full counsel of God.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Commission: a trust; a charge; the act of committing or sending. The warrant by which any trust is held.
expand to see more
COMMIS'SION, n. [L. commissio.] The act of committing, entrusting, or giving authority. A warrant or authority, given in writing, to execute some office or duty. Note: A commission implies both authority delegated and a task commanded — the Great Commission carries the full authority of the risen Christ and the obligation to obey.
📖 Key Scripture
• Matthew 28:18-20 — "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
• Mark 16:15 — "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
• Acts 1:8 — "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
• Luke 24:46-47 — "Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The Great Commission is redefined as social activism or reduced to mere decision-making.
expand to see more
The Great Commission suffers corruption from two directions. Progressive Christianity redefines it as a social mandate — "making disciples" becomes community development, political advocacy, or humanitarian aid with no call to repentance and faith in Christ. The gospel is replaced by social justice, and missions becomes relief work. On the other side, revivalistic Christianity reduces the Commission to counting decisions — getting people to raise their hands, pray a prayer, or walk an aisle, with no attention to baptism, teaching, or ongoing discipleship. But Christ's command is comprehensive: make disciples, baptize, and teach them to observe all that He commanded. Strip away any of these three elements and you no longer have the Great Commission — you have a human program wearing a biblical name.
Usage
• "The Great Commission is not 'go and get decisions' — it is 'go and make disciples,' which includes baptism, teaching, and lifelong obedience."
• "Christ did not say 'go and do social work' — He said 'go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.'"
• "The authority behind the Great Commission is not ours — it is Christ's. We go because all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him."