The Great Commission

According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the same day that Jesus was resurrected He gave His disciples His “great commission.” (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-17, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21-23). 

The “great commission” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all contain the essential elements that were found on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21-23).

In His great commission, Jesus told His disciples to Go, baptize, and He would fill with His Spirit.

Go: Matthew and Luke - going to “all nations,” Mark - “to all the world and to every creature,” John - “send I you.” Baptize: Matthew, Mark, and Luke - His “name,” Luke - “remission of sins,” John - “sins ye remit,” Mark - “saved.” His Spirit: Matthew - “I am with you always,” Mark - “new tongues,” Luke - “the promise of my Father” and “power from on high,” John - “the Holy Ghost.” 

On the Day of Pentecost, the great commission was explicitly revealed by Peter, while the rest of the apostles stood with him. It was Peter that Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:19, Acts 2:14).

When Jesus poured out His Spirit on all His followers on the Day of Pentecost, they spoke in tongues. (Acts 2:4). When all the people from every nation that were gathered for Pentecost heard their own languages being spoken by the believers from the upper room, they asked, What meaneth this?

Peter told the people that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel (Acts 2:16-18). He then preached the gospel to them. (Acts 2:22-36).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 

Peter obeyed Jesus and His “great commission.” 

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:41-42 

This was only the beginning. Believers are obedient to Jesus and preaching the gospel today.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8