The Great Commission

Introduction

The Great Commission is Christ’s command to the Church to take the gospel to all people. It is not only a suggestion for missionaries; it is the responsibility of the whole Church. Jesus gives the command, defines the mission, sends the missionary, and promises His presence.

1. The Meaning of the Great Commission

Bible References: John 17:18

Four important words. Commission is the command Jesus gave. Mission is the task of taking the gospel to the whole world. Missions is the actual activity of sending people to preach, teach, and establish churches. A missionary is a person called by God and sent by the church to proclaim Christ in other places. The Great Commission reminds us that the Church does not invent its mission; it receives it from Christ.

Multiple-Choice Questions

Which definition best explains “commission”?

The person sent by the church

The command given by Christ (yes)

The activity of church administration

The local church building

What is the difference between “mission” and “missions”?

Mission is the task; missions is the organized activity of carrying it out (yes)

Mission is only local; missions is only international

Mission is for pastors; missions is for missionaries

There is no difference

Why is the Great Commission not optional for the Church?

Because it comes from church tradition

Because it is based on Christ’s direct command (yes)

Because it is mainly a denominational programme

Because missionaries requested it

2. Christ’s Authority and Command

Bible References: Matthew 28:18–20; Ephesians 1:22–23

Jesus commands the Church because He has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” His authority is seen in His earthly ministry: He ruled over nature, sickness, demons, animals, and people.

Paul also teaches that God placed all things under Christ’s feet and made Him head over everything for the Church.

Therefore, when Jesus says, “Go,” the Church must respond in obedience. The command is clear: preach the good news to all creation and make disciples of all nations.

Multiple-Choice Questions

According to Matthew 28:18, the Great Commission rests on:

The authority of the apostles

The authority of the local church

The authority of Christ (yes)

The authority of human culture

Why does Ephesians 1:22–23 strengthen the missionary command?

It shows Christ as head over all things for the Church (yes)

It limits mission to the Jewish people

It removes responsibility from believers

It places the Church above Christ

The Church’s proper response to Christ’s authority is:

Careful delay

Obedient participation (yes)

Private admiration

Cultural isolation

3. The Harvest Field: All the World and Every Creature

Bible References: John 4:35; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:9

Jesus describes the world as a harvest field. In John 4, He ministers to the Samaritan woman, and through her witness many others come to Him. This teaches that the harvest field exists wherever there are people.

The Church must not delay the work by saying, “There is still time.” Jesus says the fields are already ripe. God’s intention is that every person may hear, every nation may receive witness, and people from every tribe, language, people, and nation may become part of His redeemed people.

Multiple-Choice Questions

In John 4:35, the “harvest field” refers to:

Only foreign nations

Only Israel

Wherever people need the gospel (yes)

Only trained ministers

What does Revelation 7:9 show about the goal of mission?

Only one culture will be saved

Every nation, tribe, people, and language will be represented (yes)

Mission will fail before the end

The Church should focus only on nearby people

According to Matthew 24:14, worldwide gospel witness is connected to:

The end of the age (yes)

The rebuilding of Jerusalem only

Political peace

Human progress

4. Preaching the Gospel and Teaching Believers

Bible References: Romans 10:15; Acts 8:6; Acts 8:26–27

The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. To preach the gospel means to proclaim that Jesus died, rose again, and offers salvation to all who believe.

Preaching may happen publicly, personally, through writing, songs, media, or one-to-one witness. Philip preached to crowds in Samaria and also to one man from Ethiopia. But the Great Commission also includes teaching.

New believers must be taught to obey everything Jesus commanded. Preaching brings people to Christ; teaching establishes them in Christ.

Multiple-Choice Questions

What is the central content of gospel preaching?

Church culture

Jesus Christ crucified and risen (yes)

Human philosophy

Religious customs

What do Philip’s ministry in Samaria and with the Ethiopian teach?

Preaching can be both public and personal (yes)

Only large crowds matter

Teaching is unnecessary

Evangelism must happen only in temples

What is the main purpose of teaching believers?

To entertain them

To establish them in obedience to Christ (yes)

To replace evangelism

To make them dependent on leaders

5. The Great Commission as a Great Appointment

Bible References: Matthew 28:10; Matthew 28:20

The Great Commission is also a promise. Jesus told the disciples to go to Galilee, and there they would see Him. In the same way, when the Church obeys Christ’s command to go into the world, it discovers that Christ is already present with them. Jesus promises, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mission is not done alone; it is an appointment with the living Christ.

Multiple-Choice Questions

What promise does Matthew 28:20 give to the Church?

Mission will be easy

Christ will be with His people (yes)

Everyone will accept the gospel

The Church will avoid suffering

Why can the Great Commission be called a “Great Appointment”?

Because believers meet Christ as they obey His mission (yes)

Because it is only a scheduled church event

Because mission depends on human planning

Because only apostles could experience Christ’s presence

Conclusion

The Great Commission is Christ’s plan for worldwide mission.

He commands with authority, sends His Church to every person, calls believers to preach and teach, and promises His presence until the end of the age.

The Church’s task is clear: go, preach, make disciples, teach, and trust that Christ goes with us.

Global Mission Focus: Iran

Iran’s persecuted church needs our focused prayers. Converts from Islam face the harshest pressure, including surveillance, arrests, “national security” charges, and long prison sentences.

After the June 2025 Israel-Iran war, at least 50 Christians were detained, and the government increasingly accused converts of being spies.

Iran ranks No. 10 on the 2026 World Watch List, with extreme pressure in national and church life. 

Let us pray for protection over secret house churches, courage for converts, release and comfort for imprisoned leaders, strength for families facing pressure, and wisdom for believers under surveillance.

Open Doors also asks prayer for believers facing harsher treatment after the Israel-Iran conflict and for secret churches that risk everything to gather and worship.