The Great Commission by Edith M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1916

The Great Commission

By Edith M. Graham

Just before Christ left his disciples to return to heaven, he gave them their great commission: “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28: 18-20, A. R. V.

Some think that this commission was given only to the disciples, as representing the ministry: but the early church did not so understand it. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4.

We are expressly told that those who did this were not the apostles, but other members of the church. “At that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1.

BROTHER R. T. SISLEY AND A CLASS IN ENGLISH AT SOEKABOEMI, JAVA

“The words, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15), are spoken to each one of Christ’s followers. All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of soul that he felt for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them. Not all can fill the same place, but for all there is a place and a work. All upon whom God’s blessings have been bestowed are to respond by actual service; every gift is to be employed for the advancement of his kingdom.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, p. 16.

There is one thing to be noted in this great commission, and it is that the promise, “Lo, I will be with you always,” is given only to those who go out to seek the lost. The New Testament in Modern English brings out this thought rather more clearly than the other versions: “Go you out, therefore, and instruct all the 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 then I am with you through all time, even unto the completion of the age.” Matt. 28: 19, 20.

It is then, when we are doing our part to fulfil the great commission, that the presence of Christ is with us. Do we desire him with us? In unselfish service to others we shall find him always at our side. As long as we go in the appointed path, we shall always find him there with us. When we leave it and settle down in selfish ease, we leave him, too. Or if we leave it to give all our time to the work of the world, no matter how necessary that work may be, the result must be the same. As the great commission has been given to every believer, it must be possible for each one to do his part in it; and all who are true followers of Christ will find ways and means of doing their part of God’s work.

EDITH M. GRAHAM.