The Great Commission in the Bible

Did you know that the phrase ‘Great Commission’ does not appear in the Bible? Bible translators have added headers to the chapters of every book. But they are not in the original text, whether in the Hebrew Old Testament or the Greek New Testament.

So, what does it mean? Why has it become such a big part of Christianity? Finally, does it have anything to do with God’s chosen people, Israel?

With help from some of our favorite book authors, we took a dive into this topic to clear out some confusion.

What Does Commission Mean?

Without diving into a theological discussion, let’s first take a look at the meaning of this phrase. What is a commission? The term itself could be described as a directive, instruction, or charge.

Have you heard of commissioning an art piece, like a portrait? That means a task was assigned to a competent person. Commissioning can also mean giving authority, for example putting someone in a higher position, like in the military. 

A commission can mean a group of people, an official body, that is entrusted with authority or chosen to address a problem. A great example of that is the European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union.

Why do these definitions matter to us? It is because each meaning somehow relates to the instructions that Jesus gave His followers. We were assigned, the Messiah deemed us competent, and gave us authority.

What is the Great Commission?

Now that we have a good understanding of what the words mean, let’s hear them! The Great Commission is an assignment that God gave the church in our age. Jesus shared it with His friends right before He ascended to Heaven:

‘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.’ (Matthew 28:19-20)

While there is much more to the church than the Great Commission, it is a concise summary of our task here on earth as the Body of Messiah. It is common for believers to understand this commission primarily as sharing the Gospel. But the task includes much more.

In this article we will often turn to a book that may be small in size but is massive in significance. Samuel Whitfield’s “Israel and the Great Commission: How the Great Commission Fulfilled God’s Purpose for Israel and the Nations” dives deep into the topic.

Whitfield skillfully unravels the beauty of God’s redemptive plan, Israel’s importance, and our role in it all.

How does Israel relate to the Great Commission?

One thing that may have already struck you seeing the title of the book is the question of Israel. Does it really have a place in this great directive that Jesus gave His followers?

After all, many Jewish people rejected Jesus in His day (and continue to do so to this day). So, are they relevant to His greatest calling? By now, you probably know that the answer must be “yes”, but you might still be wondering “how” (or “why”).

Many Christians continue to think that God is finished with a destiny for the Jewish people, because He transferred all His promises to the church.

This thinking is not new – churches have preached it for centuries. But frankly, it would be extremely difficult to find biblical foundation for this position. So for thousands of years, the church has struggled with how to relate to Israel.

The Global Upheaval and its Spiritual Impact

Then, the sudden reemergence of the State of Israel defied all odds. It forced the world to deal with both the repercussions of the Holocaust as well as the continuation of a Jewish legacy in the Middle East.

Unexpectedly, not only the church but entire nations had to wrestle with the question of Israel, the Jewish people and… God’s sovereignty. Whitfield wrote:

“The issue of Israel has especially challenged the church. One part of the church sees Israel as a relic of the past that is no longer significant to God’s redemptive plan. Another part of the church sees a unique ongoing purpose for Israel in God’s redemptive plan…”

Sharing the same promises and spiritual legacy would be divisive enough. But an even greater challenge looks us in the eye when we acknowledge that we – the Church and Israel – may have to share also our calling and commission.

The Primary Assignment for Children of God

In his book, Whitfield also points out another major issue in today’s theological approach to the Great Commission: “Many believers see the Great Commission as a New Testament assignment that shifts the focus of the church away from Israel’s story to the nations.”

But is that factual? Is the focus on the nations of the earth new?

You will find your answer as soon as you turn your attention to one of the first covenants established by God. Our Creator chose Abraham to make a covenant with him, but also with all mankind. God begins His redemptive plan with both Israel and the nations in mind.

This means that Israel and the nations are deeply connected in the context of the Great Commission. We are commanded to go to the nations, because that was the plan all along.

This profound truth is grounded in Scripture and carried forth by historical events that God put in motion. And He will continue working in every generation, until His Word comes to pass, and His promises come to fruition.

The Great Commission in the Old and the New Testament

By looking to Abraham – but not only him; think even as far back as Adam or Noah – we are reminded of omnipotence of God. The Old Testament and the New are not separate books. They were always meant to be studied together.

And so, the themes, including God’s commandments and His blessings, intertwine throughout the entire Bible. There are undeniable links between key passages in the Jewish Tanach (OT) and the Christian New Covenant (NT).

“We will discover the Great Commission has its roots in the Old Testament. It is not a new command, but part of the progression of God’s redemptive work. In the same way, Israel’s story does not end with the Old Testament. It’s an ongoing story that depends on the nations to come to fulfillment,” Whitfield explains.

What does the Bible Say?

This is always the right course of action. Check everything with the Word of God. Does the Bible give us a clear picture of what God thinks or feels about any given matter? 

‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.’ (2 Timothy 3:16)

God revealed Himself, in large part, in the context of relationship. This explains why the Bible is composed of stories and not just attributes of God’s character. We learn them too, but the Creator revealed His heart mainly through His interactions with humanity.

In light of that, we need to be honest with ourselves in answering the question, which relationship God established and described in His Word to serve as an example. Is it the nations in general? Or does He choose a specific nation to meet with, talk with and even dine with?

As Whitfield put it: “[God] designed His interaction with Israel and the nations to reveal who He is. Israel in particular is a gift of God to the nations to instruct us in the knowledge of who God is and who man is. Therefore, we study Israel to better understand the knowledge of God.”

Israel’s Story Is Ultimately about Israel’s God

Israel’s story is ultimately about Israel’s God, and His glory is at stake in her story:

‘Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name.’ (Ezekiel 36:22)

The chosen people set the context for the life of Jesus. Consequently, it also means that Israel sets the context for the church. And with that, it involves both in the Great Commission.

“If we make Israel the primary point of the Bible, we will get off track. But if we keep Jesus central in Israel’s story, we will avoid a number of errors and receive the full benefit of Israel’s role in the redemptive story,” Whitfield wrote.

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If this topic interests you, consider studying Samuel Whitfield’s book further: Click Here

Articles Related to the Great Commission

• Why are the Jews God’s Chosen People?
• Is God Different in the Old and the New Testament?
• Why Read the Old Testament?
• Sh’mot: The Meaning of Exodus’ Hebrew Name
• When a Book Becomes a Friend – Israeli Publishing in 2020

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes