The Great Commission is the foundation for evangelism and cross-cultural missions work in Christian theology.  The Great Commission appears in Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15–18; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23; and Acts 1:8. Springing from the heart of God, the Great Commission calls Christ's disciples to carry out the work God started by sending his Son into the world to die for lost sinners.

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Because the Lord gave final instructions for his followers to go to all nations and that he would be with them even until the very end of the age, Christians of all generations have embraced this command. As often it has been said, it was not "The Great Suggestion." No, the Lord commanded his followers from every generation to put their faith into action and to go make disciples.

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The great commission in Matthew 28:18-20 has a magnificent structure. It starts with a declaration of power: ‘All authority … has been given to me’. It sounds like the enthronement of a king. This powerful king has an important message to his people. The message consists of two sentences. The first is an order: ‘Go therefore and make disciples …’. The second is a promise: ‘And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.’