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After Jesus was crucified and remained in the grave
three days, He was resurrected. Forty days elapsed between His resurrection
and ascension (Acts 1:3). He appeared to two disciples as they walked
in the country (Mk. 16:12-13); He appeared to the apostles when
Thomas was not present (Lk. 24:33-34); He appeared to the apostles
with Thomas present (Jn. 20:26-32); He appeared to the disciples
at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) (Jn. 21); and He appeared to the
eleven apostles in a mountain in Galilee (Mt. 28:16-20). Of all
the post-resurrection appearances of Christ to His disciples, this
latter one is probably the most familiar. It was here that Jesus
gave the Great Commission.
The Claim
In giving the Great Commission, Jesus first makes
a claim: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power
is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18). Jesus
has been given all authority. This supreme right is based upon His
resurrection from the dead. Jesus is "declared to be the Son
of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
from the dead" (Rom. 1:4 cf. Eph. 1:19-23; 1 Cor. 15:25-27).
"All power [authority, ASV] in heaven and in earth" is
the proper prerequisite for the command that is to follow. The crucified
Christ is now the exalted Lord! Jesus has the supreme right to govern
all things. The Prophet, Priest, and King has all authority to advance
His kingdom. Since Christ has all authority, He has the right to
command and we have the obligation to obey His commands.
The Command
Jesus gives the command, "Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Mt. 28:19-20a). This
command arises from the authority previously claimed. The only imperative
(mood used to express a command) found in these verses is the word
translated "teach [make disciples, ASV, NKJ]" (Mt. 28:19a).
This comes from the Greek word matheteuo (:"20JgbT),
which means "to make a disciple of, teach someone" (according
to Arndt and Gingrich's Greek-English Lexicon, page 485). The noun
form of this word, mathetes (:"20JZH), means "a
disciple, follower." Thus, "teach all nations" is
better translated "make disciples of all nations" (cf.
Acts 14:21, "had made many disciples," ASV). As the disciples
went on their way, they were commanded to make more disciples. This
was done by "baptizing" (Mt. 28:19b) and "teaching"
(Mt. 28:20a), where the word "teaching" is from a different
Greek word than the one rendered "teach" (KJV) in verse
19. Scriptural baptism requires teaching. Belief in God is a prerequisite
of baptism (Mk. 16:15-16). Since faith comes by hearing the word
of God (Rom. 10:17), instruction is required. Repentance also precedes
baptism (Acts 2:38). Since repentance must come from godly sorrow
(2 Cor. 7:10), instruction is also required before one can repent.
Baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" denotes the authority of the entire "Godhead."
In making disciples, parallel to "baptizing" (Mt. 28:19b)
is "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you" (Mt. 28:20a). Obviously, a person does not have to know
everything there is to know about God and salvation in order to
be saved. If that was required, who could ever qualify? However,
a person must be taught to "observe" all things Jesus
teaches. This means that we must have the respect and love of the
truth so that when we learn more truth, we will have the humility
and courage to apply it to our lives (cf. Jas. 1:22-25). By implication,
the command to make disciples is just as binding on us today as
it was then. The scope is "all nations," and Jesus depends
on us to enlarge the borders of His kingdom. If we do not make disciples,
then who will?
The Confidence
Not only does Jesus make a claim and give a command,
He also gives us the confidence we need to carry it out: "and,
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"
(Mt. 28:10b). It should encourage us to know that the all-authoritative
Christ is with us. Christ has never forsaken His people and He never
will. Carrying out the Commission is not always easy. Sometimes
"self" gets in the way. Sometimes there is opposition
from without and, worse yet, opposition from within the church that
hinders us from carrying the gospel to the world. However, we can
rest assured that no matter what happens in this life, Christ, our
all-powerful Lord, Comforter, and Friend is with us and will watch
over us. May the Lord help each of us take more seriously our role
in the Great Commission, knowing Christ's claim-all authority; knowing
Christ's command-make disciples of all nations; and knowing the
confidence in Christ-" I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world"!
©Brian Kenyon
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