What does the Bible say about the Great Commission?

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, serves as a pivotal command from Christ to His disciples at the conclusion of His earthly ministry. It instructs them to 'go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' This commission underscores the mission of the Church to spread the gospel, involving both conversion through belief and identification through baptism. It highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan through all three persons of the Trinity in the salvation of His people.

Furthermore, the command to make disciples emphasizes that the work of evangelism is not only about conversion but also about teaching new believers to observe all that Christ has commanded. This teaching process is grounded in the grace and loving relationship that believers have with Christ, as they are not motivated by fear or obligation but by gratitude for the grace they have received. Ultimately, the Great Commission points to the active role that believers play in God’s redemptive work through the proclamation of the gospel, thereby expanding the kingdom of God on earth.