The Great Commission and Global Evangelism in Christianity
The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, is a foundational mandate for global evangelism in Christianity, instructing disciples to "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 observe all that I have commanded you" [2]. This commission is rooted in Jesus' prayer for unity among his followers, that "they may be one" so that "the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21) [1].
The early Christian church exemplified this commission, as seen in the dispersion of disciples following persecution in Jerusalem, leading to the spread of the Gospel to new regions, including Samaria and Antioch (Acts 8, 11) [3]. The conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile, marked a significant milestone in this expansion, demonstrating that the Gospel was not limited to Jews but was intended for all people [4].
Various Christian traditions have interpreted the Great Commission in different ways. The Baptist/Reformed tradition emphasizes the importance of preaching the Word, with John Gill stressing the need to "preach the word" with boldness and without compromise (2 Timothy 4:2) [5]. Similarly, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition views the Gospel as a traveler spreading throughout the world, with Adam Clarke noting that it had "already gone nearly through the whole of the countries under the Roman dominion" and would continue until it had proclaimed its message to all [6].
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, highlights the role of the church in spreading the Gospel, with the narrative of Acts demonstrating the "great extension of the Gospel and the founding of the first Gentile Church" [3]. Across these traditions, there is a shared understanding that the Great Commission is a call to global evangelism, with the goal of making disciples of all nations.
The eschatological dimension of the Great Commission is also significant, with some traditions interpreting Jesus' promise to "be with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20) as a guarantee of his ongoing presence in the mission of the church [2]. The vision in Revelation 14:6 of an angel flying "in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth" is seen by some as a foretelling of a future era of global evangelism [7].
The diverse interpretations and emphases within Christian traditions underscore the complexity and richness of the Great Commission as a theological concept. As the church continues to engage in global evangelism, it draws on these various perspectives to inform its mission and practice.
Sources
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:20: Teaching them--This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples. to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I--The "I" here is emphatic. It is enough that I am with you alway--"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more. even unto the end of the world. Amen--This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encourag”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: and ever, world without end. Amen. 595 The narrative beginning with xi. 19 , may be considered as a resumption of viii. 4 , sq. where the preaching of Philip in Samaria is referred to the persecution at Jerusalem as its occasion. The dispersion of the disciples now becomes the means of a great extension of the Gospel and the founding of the first Gentile Church (at Antioch in Syria). This is the third great movement in the spread of early Christianity. The order is: (1) The preaching of Philip in Samaria, (2) The conversion of Cornelius and his compa”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: our alms with largeness, that we may be found worthy of the mercy of God, by the grace and tender compassion of His only begotten Son, with Whom to the Father and Holy Ghost together be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen. 522 The conversion of Cornelius marks an important step in the progress of the gospel. Hitherto Christianity had been confined to Jews, Hellenists, and that mixed people—the Samaritans (unless, as is improbable, the Ethiopian chamberlain formed an exception). Now a beginning was made of receiving the Genti”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his ”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:6: Which is come unto you - The doctrine of the Gospel is represented as a traveler, whose object it is to visit the whole habitable earth; and, having commenced his journey in Judea, had proceeded through Syria and through different parts of Asia Minor, and had lately arrived at their city, every where proclaiming glad tidings of great joy to all people. As it is in all the world - So rapid is this traveler in his course, that he had already gone nearly through the whole of the countries under the Roman dominion; and will travel on till he has proclaimed his messag”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:6: Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel - Whether this angel mean any more than a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world; or whether it mean any especial messenger, order of preachers, people, or society of Christians, whose professed object it is to send the Gospel of the kingdom throughout the earth, we know not. But the vision seems truly descriptive of a late institution, entitled The British and Foreign Bible Society, whose object it is to print an”