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these eleven, and just like us! Therefore, we can have confidence to carry
out His program, even if it means meeting
The Power the Lord Possesses hostility and opposition.
To these imperfect followers, who saw
Him approaching, the Lord Jesus said, The Program the Lord
“All power is given unto me in heaven Announces
and in earth” (Mat 28:18). This, and this “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
alone, would be the secret of the Great baptizing them in the name of the Father,
Commission’s effectiveness. The Savior and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
has been given “all power.” The word Teaching them to observe all things
for “power” here (Greek exousia) means whatsoever I have commanded you”
“authority,” and it is not surprising to (vv19-20a). The word for “teach” here
find this word in Matthew, where Christ (Greek matheteuo) means “to make dis-
is presented as King. Notice that the Lord ciples.” Disciples are learners, students.
says this authority was “given” unto Him. And notice that disciples are made, not
Although we see Christ’s authority during spontaneously created. It takes time and
His earthly ministry emphasized through- involves the work of other believers to
out Matthew’s Gospel, it appears that the making of disciples is the preaching of
4
Savior is making a larger claim here. He make disciples. But foundational to the
is claiming to have been given universal
authority, “all authority,” that which is the gospel, which Mark highlights in his
“in heaven and in earth.” It is precisely account, recording Jesus as saying, “Go ye
because He suffered and died, completing into all the world, and preach the gospel
the work His Father sent Him to do, that to every creature” (16:15). Disciples cannot
be made without the message that will
He has received this authority now as the make them, the gospel, which Paul sum-
risen, glorified and soon-to-be enthroned marizes as “Christ died for our sins … he
Savior (see Php 2:8-9; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 1:21; was buried, and … he rose again the third
Rev 1:5). It would not be long before His day” (1Co 15:3-4).
followers would see this authority demon-
strated in their midst when Christ would The Lord’s program involves not only
send the Holy Spirit and give gifts to the the making of these disciples but their
Church (Joh 16:7; Act 2:33; Eph 4:8-12), baptism. We should both teach what bap-
empowering them to carry out the Great tism means and encourage new believers
Commission. With His universal author- to take this obedient step. And we are to
ity as the basis for the Great Commission, baptize these new followers “in the name
He instructs them (and us) to “Go” (Mat of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
28:19). We go in His power, not our own. Holy Ghost.” The singular noun “name”
(rather than “names”) underlines the
unity of the three Persons in the Godhead.
4 His authority is seen in Matthew 1, where He
is presented as the heir to David’s throne and Notice also that the Lord’s program
Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” In chapter includes teaching these new converts “to
2, He is called “King of the Jews.” In chapter observe all things whatsoever I [Jesus]
3, John announces the coming of His kingdom have commanded you.” It is not enough to
(v2). For other examples of His authority in
Matthew, see 7:28-29; 8:27; 9:6; 10:1; 11:27; 16:18- preach the gospel to individuals and bap-
19; 21:23. tize them; we must teach them the whole
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