Great Commission
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2008-07-16T21:50:49Z
Ltwin
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changes in writing style, removed sentence in the introduction referring to Trinitarian formula (it was stated in another part of the article and seemed not NPOV
{{Gospel Jesus}}
The '''Great Commission''', in [[Christianity|Christian]] tradition, is the instruction of the [[Resurrection appearances of Jesus|resurrected Jesus Christ]] to his [[disciple (Christianity)|disciples]], that they spread his teachings to all the nations of the world. It has become a tenet in [[Christian theology]] emphasizing mission work, [[evangelism]], and [[baptism]]. It has been a primary basis for [[Mission (Christian)|Christian missionary]] activity.
Over the centuries, Christians have preached their faith across the world. Christians, a small sect at the time of the Great Commission, are majorities or significant minorities in many countries worldwide{{fact|date=July 2008}}.
==New Testament accounts==
Some version of the great commission appears in the Gospels of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], [[Gospel of John|John]], and in the [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]], which is the second part of [[Luke-Acts]]. Details vary from book to book. In Matthew, [[Jesus]] directs the disciples to baptize people of all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the [[Trinitarian]] formula. In Luke, Jesus tells the disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness, and promises that they will have divine power. In John, Jesus says the disciples will have the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive sins and to withhold forgiveness. In Acts, Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will inspire them. In [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], Jesus never speaks with his disciples after his resurrection, since modern scholars agree that the original Gospel of Mark ends at verse {{bibleverse||Mark|16:8}} with the women leaving the tomb.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ehrman |first=Bart D.|authorlink=Bart D. Ehrman |title=The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings |year=2004 |publisher=Oxford |location=New York |id=ISBN 0-19-515462-2 |pages=pp. 79-80}}</ref> See also [[Mark 16]].
The most familiar version of the Great Commission is depicted in Matthew 28:16-20:
:Then the [[Twelve Apostles|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 [[Ministry of Jesus|everything I have commanded]] you. And surely I am with you always, to the very [[eschatology|end of the age]]."([[New International Version|NIV]])
Other versions of the Great Commission are found in {{bibleverse||Mark|16:14-18}}, {{bibleverse||Luke|24:44-49}}, {{bibleverse||Acts|1:4-8}}, and {{bibleverse||John|20:19-23}}. All these passages are composed as words of Christ spoken after his [[resurrection]].
==Interpretations==
The commission from Jesus has been interpreted by evangelical Christians as meaning that his followers have the duty to go, teach, and [[baptize]]. Although the command was initially given directly only to Christ's [[Eleven Apostles]], evangelical [[Christian theology]] has typically interpreted the commission as a directive to all Christians of every time and place, particularly because it seems to be a restatement or moving forward of the last part of [[Covenant (biblical)#Abrahamic Covenant|God's covenant with Abraham]] in {{bibleverse||Genesis|12:3}}.
Commentators often contrast the ''Great Commission'' with the earlier ''Limited Commission'' of {{bibleverse||Matthew|10:5-42}}, in which they were to restrict their mission to their fellow [[Jew]]s, to whom Jesus referred to as "the lost sheep of the [[Children of Israel|house of Israel]]" ({{bibleverse||Matthew|15:24}}).
[[Textual criticism|Textual critics]] note that the portion of [[Mark 16]] which records the commission is not found in two of the oldest [[Greek language|Greek]] [[manuscripts]] of the [[New Testament]], the [[Codex Vaticanus]] and the [[Codex Sinaiticus]]. The response generally given is that this is immaterial, as essentially the same thing is quoted as having been said by Jesus in at least three other New Testament passages, and additionally that the passage in question was regarded as part of the [[Development of the New Testament canon|canon of the scriptures]] throughout most of [[History of Christianity|Church history]].
Some believe that the Great Commission was already fulfilled based on the statements "And they went out and preached everywhere," ([http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:20&version=49 Mark 16:20]), "the [[gospel]] that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven," ([http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:23&version=49 Colossians 1:23]), and "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the [[Neviim|Scriptures of the prophets]], according to the [[Mosaic Law|commandment of the eternal God]], has been made known to all the nations," ([http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016:25-26;&version=49; Romans 16:25-26]). {{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The [[Jesus Seminar]] generally portrays the statement as a later editorial addition to the text.
The [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=142&letter=G#543 Jewish Encyclopedia: Gentiles: Gentiles May Not Be Taught the Torah] states:
{{cquote|R. Emden (), in a remarkable apology for Christianity contained in his appendix to "Seder 'Olam" (pp. 32b-34b, Hamburg, 1752), gives it as his opinion that the original intention of Jesus, and especially of Paul, was to convert only the [[Gentiles]] to the [[Seven Laws of Noah|seven moral laws of Noah]] and to let the Jews follow the Mosaic law — which explains the apparent contradictions in the New Testament regarding the [[Biblical law in Christianity|laws of Moses]] and the [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sabbath]].}}
==See also==
*[[Seventy Disciples]]
*[[Didache]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
[[Category:Doctrines and teachings of Jesus]]
[[Category:Christian missions]]
[[Category:Gospel episodes]]
[[Category:Biblical criticism]]
[[Category:Jesus and history]]
[[Category:Biblical phrases]]
[[Category:1st century]]
[[Category:New Testament history]]
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