Jesus said; “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (See Matthew 28:18)
This is what is known in Scripture as the Great Commission. Other references to the Great Commission in the New Testament can also be found in Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-49, John 20:21, Acts 1:8. It was and is certainly a call-to-all!
The coming reign of the Kingdom of God on earth was the central message of Jesus. This message was born through His relationship with His Father in Heaven. Jesus demonstrated his authority when he healed the paralytic in Matthew 9:6, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Jesus’ authority came from the Father who sent Him. Peter declared, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (See Acts 10:38)
Jesus’ authority was given to accomplish the mission of God. He shared that authority with His disciples when He commissioned them to preach the Gospel, and to make disciples. When they obeyed and operated in that authority they were like the One who sent them, bringing the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. (See Matt.6:10)
The Great Commission operates by heaven’s authority. When we participate in the Great Commission we extend the Kingdom in the earth. People come into contact with Heaven’s authority: lives are transformed, sins are forgiven, bodies healed, demons cast out, and disciples empowered to continue the expansion of the Kingdom of God.
The Great Commission is not a missionary command, rather it is the command for the Church, that’s us folks! Jesus’ last command must be our first priority.
Your partnership with Firstlight each month is advancing the Kingdom through each of our projects, and ministry platforms. Jesus said GO!
~ Tony Foster
