What is the Great Commission?

Many Christians mention what they call "the Great Commission" but I doubt they understand the fullness of its tri-fold purpose. I hope this month to publish what the Bible says about this most important command which Christ gave his followers.

After his resurrection, Jesus gave this directive to his disciples. Matthew 28:19 and 20 (BBE) reads, "Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world."

There are three parts to the command. The first part is to go into all the world and preach the good news of salvation. Why, Apart from Christ commanding us to do so, must we do this? Paul sums this up logically in Romans 10:14 (BBE) which says, "But how will they give worship to him in whom they have no faith? and how will they have faith in him of whom they have not had news? and how will they have news without a preacher?"

Paul and Barnabas also told the Jewish leaders in Acts 13:47, (BBE) saying, "For so the Lord has given us orders, saying, I have given you for a light to the Gentiles so that you may be for salvation to the ends of the earth."

But does this apply to us in the twenty-first century? It sure does. Scripture says in Acts 2:38 and 39 (BBE), "And Peter said, 'Let your hearts be changed, every one of you, and have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will have the Holy Spirit given to you. For the word of God is for you and for your children and for all those who are far off, even all those who may be marked out by the Lord our God."

Salvation is for every single person throughout the world and this current age. Colossians 3:11 (KJV) explains, "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

What a wonderful promise this is. And because the Internet lets us reach anybody who has a social media account and e-mail, we can reach practically all the world.

I'll explain further about this when I publish my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Like Star Trek's prime directive, we who place our trust in Christ are bound by this command from our Lord and Master.

On Thursday, I'll post about the second part of this commission: baptism.