The Mission of the Church
The Great Commission
Go and Make Disciples
Description
Christ commissioned His church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He commanded. This is the church's primary mission—not social reform, political action, or cultural engagement, though these may flow from it. The gospel must be preached to every creature. We are Christ's ambassadors, imploring the world to be reconciled to God. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few—we must pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers. This commission remains until the end of the age.
Key Verses
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
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.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?