The Great Commission

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mat 28:16-20

Oxford American Dictionary explains “commission” as “a group of people officially charged with a particular function” and “the authority to perform a task or certain duties”. I’d say we have done quiet well with the first part of the commission. We have gone to the nations, discipled them, baptized them, and taught them everything Jesus taught us. But I think for various reasons we have skipped the second part - how we were actually supposed to go and disciple the nations, baptize and teach them. 

I have 2 questions i’d like to answer

• How did Jesus teach 
• How did Jesus tell the disciples to teach

How did Jesus teach

“You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:37,38

In Matthew 3 we find Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan. Until then i believe baptism was more of a outward sign, a confession of faith so to say. But when Jesus was baptized something deeper happened, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God came on Jesus and then His earthly ministry began, one of teaching and power. It’s this same power that Jesus told His disciples to wait for in Jerusalem before they could start their “great commission”. (Acts 1:4,5,8)

In Luke 4 we find Jesus Himself saying what this power, anointing, Spirit was for:

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 

 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 

      because he has anointed me 

      to preach good news to the poor. 

   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners 

      and recovery of sight for the blind, 

   to release the oppressed, 

    to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:14-21

Jesus then went on preaching the good news of a God who loved the world so much, a God who wasn’t going to hold anything back. (John 3:16,17) He confirmed this teaching with opening up salvation to anyone who would believe. In Mark 16 Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Lets look for a second at the word “saved”, Greek word 4982, Sozo. 

Sozo (salvation) touches 3 areas. 

• Salvation for the Spirit (Mat 1:21, Rom 10:13)
• Deliverance for the Soul (Luke 8:36)
• Healing for the Body (Mark 5:34, James 5:15)

The Good News, salvation, has a lot more to offer than just being baptized in the names of God, and being taught how to live in righteousness. The Good News is really a Gospel of Power, the power to save and effect every area of our lives. Without power, without the Holy Spirit, aren’t we just going back to the law? (Rom 8) Jesus taught in the power of the Holy Spirit. He demonstrated this power through healing all who was sick (Mark 6:56), casting out demons (Mat 8:16) and forgiving sins (Luke 5:24).

How did Jesus tell his disciples to teach

The first time Jesus sends out His disciples, He sends out 72 and gives them these instructions: “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.’” (Luke 10:9) When they got back they report with joy, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." And then Jesus replied: 

"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”” Luke 10:18-24

Notice the joy for both Jesus and His disciples? Notice how Jesus praises Father for what He was doing according to His good pleasure? And then He how Jesus blessed His disciples for what they have seen? That is the way missions should be done! That is the results that we should be expecting! Jesus sent out His disciples in power and they continued the same ministry of Words and Wonders as Him. According to Acts 2:4, we now have that same power! 

We easily quote Mat 28’s “Great commission” because it doesn’t require a lot of us, and to be frank, it’s easier. But i think the reason we see Christianity impact so little of the world, is because we don’t in the same breath and with the same enthusiasm quote the rest of the Great Commission found in Mark 16:

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."