The church is the missional means to fulfill God’s vision of a global assembly around His throne.

16–17—The disciples minus Judas met with Jesus on a mountain with Jesus in Galilee. Like verse 9, the appropriate response to seeing Jesus is worship. But not everyone knew how to act in front of a supernaturally manifested, exalted, and holy being. Doubt here implies hesitation.

18—Jesus is the Son of man in Daniel 7:13–14. He has been given all authority—on heaven and earth. Remember too, the model prayer—Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6:10).

19–20—Make disciples is the main idea of the great commission. There are three participles that describe how to make disciples: go, baptize, and teach.

• Go is not limited to a call with an overseas force, but also across the street and to a coworker. As you go, wherever that may be, you are to be a missionary of Christ.
• Baptism is where faith goes public and marks the once-for-all decision that has been made to follow Christ. Baptism is conducted in the singular name of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the clearest Trinitarian expression in all of Scripture.
• Teaching is the natural counterpart to evangelism. We are only halfway done when we lead someone to Christ, we must also teach them to follow what He has commanded.

“If non-Christians are not hearing the gospel and not being challenged to make a decision for Christ, then the church has disobeyed one part of Jesus’ commission. If new converts are not faithfully and lovingly nurtured in the whole counsel of God’s revelation, then the church has disobeyed the other part.” —Craig Blomberg

What makes this work possible is the abiding presence of “God with us,” Emmanuel (Matt 1:23).

We want to help people Embrace an abundant life with Christ, Experience a growing faith, and Engage in Kingdom mission.