Fulfilling the Mission

The Great Commission in the Modern World

(Matthew 28:19-20)

The Great Commission, given by Jesus to his disciples before his ascension, remains the church's primary mission mandate: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Applying this directive in the 21st century means re-examining its key components—Go, Make Disciples, Baptize, and Teach—through the lens of contemporary challenges and opportunities.

1. Reinterpreting "Go" (The Missional Context)

The command to "Go" is often seen only as foreign missions. Today, it must be understood both globally and locally:

• Global Mobility: Modern travel and technology mean the concept of "all nations" is more accessible than ever. The church engages in traditional cross-cultural missions, translating scripture, and providing humanitarian aid.

• The "Near" Mission Field: In the hyper-connected, often pluralistic societies of the West, "Go" also means engaging our immediate neighbors, workplaces, and social networks. The concept of 'missional living' suggests that every Christian is a missionary in their sphere of influence, closing the traditional gap between "missionary" and "layperson."

  
  

2. The Core Command: "Make Disciples" (Process over Event)

The central imperative of the Commission is not merely conversion (a one-time event), but discipleship (an ongoing process). This requires a shift from focusing solely on getting people "saved" to helping people "follow" Jesus and be transformed into His image.

In the modern context, making disciples involves:

• Authentic Relationships: Building trust and demonstrating the reality of Christian life, contrasting with the often superficial connections of social media.

• Mentorship: Walking alongside new believers to navigate ethical dilemmas, spiritual disciplines, and applying biblical wisdom to complicated modern life (e.g., technology, finance, mental health).

  
  

3. "Baptizing Them" (Belonging and Identity)

Baptism remains the public act of entry into the Christian community, but its significance in the modern church emphasizes two important concepts:

• Community and Belonging: In an age of high individualism, baptism signifies belonging to a collective body—the church. It counters isolation by publicly affirming a new family identity.

• New Identity: It declares a break from a former way of life and the adoption of a new identity "in Christ." This is particularly powerful today where personal identity is often fluid and tied to consumerism or temporary cultural trends.

  
  

4. "Teaching Them to Observe All That I Have Commanded" (Practical Application)

Modern discipleship cannot remain theoretical. The teaching phase must be highly practical and address real-world issues:

• Ethical Living: Teaching people how Christ's commands apply to complex social, political, and ethical issues (justice, poverty, truthfulness, integrity).

• Holistic Integration: Moving beyond Sunday school to integrate faith into daily choices—how one spends money, how one consumes media, how one manages conflict, and how one finds meaning in work. This equips believers to live out their faith consistently in a secular environment.

  
  

5. Leveraging Modern Tools

The Great Commission is amplified today by unprecedented tools:

Tool	Application for Evangelism & Discipleship
Digital Media	Creating shareable content, teaching videos, and short-form biblical lessons that cross geographic borders instantly.
Social Networks	Building genuine community and accountability groups online, and using platforms to start conversations.
Translation	Accelerating Bible translation and access to resources for the least-reached language groups globally.
Remote Technology	Training leaders in distant regions through virtual meetings and remote teaching platforms, democratizing discipleship.

In short, the modern Great Commission calls Christians to be intentional, relationally driven, and technologically wise, relying on the unwavering promise of Christ’s presence to fulfill the mission.