Great Commission

In Christianity, the Great Commission is a fundamental instruction given by Jesus Christ.

This instruction occurred after Jesus had risen from the dead. He commanded his disciples to spread the gospel to every nation on Earth. The term "gospel" refers to the message of his life and teachings. This concept is a central tenet in Christian theology. It emphasizes the importance of ministry, missionary work, evangelism, and baptism. Because of this, many Christians view the Great Commission as a primary duty of their faith.

The mechanism of this commission is described through several different biblical accounts. In the Gospel of Matthew, the event takes place on a mountain in Galilee.

There, Jesus calls upon his followers to make disciples of all nations. He instructs them to baptize these people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Luke provides a different perspective on this process. Luke records Jesus dispatching disciples, including a group of seventy disciples, during his ministry. In these accounts, Jesus gives them power over demons to assist them in their work.

There are several distinct ways that scholars and believers interpret these instructions. One major group is known as evangelical Christians. They interpret the command as a direct duty for all followers to go, teach, and baptize. While the command was originally given to the eleven Apostles, evangelicals apply it to all Christians throughout history. Another way to categorize these views is through the lens of timing. Preterists believe the Great Commission and other prophecies were fulfilled during the 1st century. They point to New Testament passages stating the gospel was proclaimed in all creation. In contrast, futurists believe these prophecies have yet to be fully realized. They believe fulfillment will occur at the time of the Second Coming.

The history of the Great Commission involves both ancient movements and later terminology. The Apostles are said to have dispersed from Jerusalem to follow these orders. Through this dispersion, they founded what are known as apostolic sees. These were important early centers of the church located in places like Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome.

Although the stories are ancient, the specific name "Great Commission" is not as old. It is not known exactly who first coined the term. Some historians suggest it may have been Justinian von Welz. Later, a man named Hudson Taylor helped to make the term popular in widespread use.

The significance of this commission is seen in its massive scale and influence. It aims to reach "all nations," which implies a global scope. The movement of the Apostles helped establish the foundations of Christian geography. This dispersion created a network of religious centers that lasted for centuries. The theological weight of the commission drives modern missionary efforts. It serves as a bridge between the historical actions of the Apostles and the current practices of billions of people. The scale of this instruction is meant to be universal rather than local.

Notable examples of the Great Commission can be found in art and religious architecture.

Stained glass windows, such as those in the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick in El Paso, Texas, depict this mission. Artistic reliefs also capture the moment, such as the work by Albert Wider on a priest's grave in Widnau, Switzerland.

Even ancient objects, like the 10th-century Ottonian ivory plaque from the Cleveland Museum of Art, illustrate Christ's mission to the Apostles. These examples show how the concept has been visualized across different eras and cultures.

Finally, the Great Commission connects to much broader themes in religion and sociology. It relates to the concept of the covenant, specifically the last part of God's covenant with Abraham. It also links to the study of how religions expand and spread across different cultures. The commission is a primary driver of evangelism, which is the act of spreading religious beliefs. It also connects to the study of how early church structures, like the apostolic sees, were formed. By studying the Great Commission, one can understand the historical and theological roots of global Christian expansion.