The great commission is given to us by each of the four gospel writers (Matt. 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–16; Luke 24:46–49; John 20:21–22) and the author of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:8). It is reiterated in the special charge to Paul as recorded in Acts 26:13–18. To Bible believers it has far-reaching implications. It constitutes: the command to preach the gospel; the marching orders to evangelize the world; the divine authorization to become ambassadors of Christ to every part of the world; and the assurance of the ultimate triumph of the gospel. The cumulative force of this reiterated command is evident. It leaves no doubt in the mind of the believing and obeying disciple of Jesus Christ that the evangelization of the world is the unquestioned will and plan of the Lord. It is the divine imperative expressing in bold letters the nature of Christianity in clear and definitive terms. The great commission authoritatively states the Christian duty of world evangelization. It does not create this duty. This Christian responsibility flows from the character of Christianity and our relation to the Lord. However, it spells it out in clear words.

 George W. Peters, “Let the Missionary Be a Missionary,” Bibliotheca Sacra 122 (1965): 354–355.