Does the Great Commission Apply to All Believers?
Who was Jesus speaking to when He gave the Great Commission to take the Gospel into the whole world? Does the Great Commission apply to all believers or just to the disciples who were listening to Jesus that day?
This question has sparked discussion among Christians for centuries. Although it was originally addressed to Jesus’ eleven Apostles, evangelical Christian theology has typically interpreted the Commission as a directive to all Christians of every time and place.[2]
Understanding the Context of Matthew 28
While the text isn’t explicitly clear, we can learn a lot by looking at the wording and asking two questions:
BibleRef explains that in Matthew’s story, these are Jesus’ parting words to His eleven remaining disciples.
- Would it be possible for eleven men to take the Good News of Jesus Christ into all the world? Would the disciples have made it to every section of the world? No, that was not possible. But today, getting to the “ends of the earth” is becoming more of a reality!
- Did the disciples live “to the end of the age”? No, the disciples didn’t live to the “end of the age.” This infers that the followers who came after them were also intended to be recipients of this Great Commission.
Desiring God notes that the clue Jesus intends for the command not just to be for the eleven comes at the end of Matthew 28:20. The warrant for the command is the promise “behold, I am with you.” Jesus tells how long this warrant will last: “to the end of the age.”
What Matthew 28:19 Commands
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gives specific instructions. He tells His followers to make disciples of all nations. The verse continues with two key components: baptizing and teaching.
The phrase “in the name of the father and of the son and of the son and of the holy spirit” appears in this verse. Desiring God explains that every member of the Trinity is active in the conversion which baptism signifies.[3]
Is the Great Commission for All Christians?
The Great Commission is not a call for each and every Christian from the time of Jesus until the end of time to go into cross-cultural missions work. However, it is a call to action. We each have a role to play in the Great Commission.
Is the Great Commission for all christians? Crossworld argues that if you’re walking with Jesus, the command to make disciples is incumbent on you. Think of it as an implied fifth “all”—a command for all believers.
First Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (NKJV). We are all called to share our faith with those in our sphere of influence. We are called to share what Jesus has done for us!
Every disciple must be a disciple-maker, whether God sends you down the street or to the other side of the world.
The Role of Teaching in the Great Commission
The phrase “teaching them to obey” appears in Matthew 28. Jesus commands His followers to teach new disciples to obey everything i have commanded them. This Commission includes nations baptizing and instruction in obedience. The holy spirit and teaching work together in the discipleship process.
BibleRef notes that discipleship to Jesus involves at least two things: baptism and obedience. Jesus commands both baptizing and teaching as essential parts of making disciples.
The Great Commission includes teaching them to observe all that Jesus taught. This isn’t just about initial conversion. Desiring God emphasizes that the ongoing teaching of what Jesus taught is essential.[4]
How Every Believer Participates
Obeying the Great Commission takes different forms for different believers. 9Marks explains that all Christians should evangelize locally and, if possible, support the work of bringing the holy spirit’s message to the ends of the earth.[5]
Not everyone is called to cross-cultural missionary work. Desiring God points out that in Romans 15, Paul recruits people from Rome not to go with him to Spain but to support him as he goes. Those Christians in Rome had jobs and networks of relationships where they lived.
The Authority Behind the Commission
Jesus begins His commission by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Crossworld notes that Jesus claims to have all authority in the universe to lead us on this journey.[6]
This authority gives weight to the command. Because Jesus has all authority, His followers can trust His promise to be with them always.
Local Churches and the Great Commission
Local churches play a crucial role in fulfilling the Great Commission. Acts 29 explains that the Great Commission was given to the eleven disciples who stood as founders and leaders of the Church.[7]
The local church is God’s primary instrument for completion of the Great Commission. Credo Magazine states that the local church must first approve and send any believer willing to go.[8]
Churches send missionaries, support them through prayer and giving, and establish new congregations. 9Marks notes that the Great Commission is bigger than any local church.[9] A church in one country can’t do much to make disciples of native people in another country without partnerships and missionaries.
Ways to Share the Gospel
One practical way believers participate is to share the Gospel with those around them. Radical encourages Christians to join a church, share the Gospel, and support missions.[10]
As you go—to school, to work, to the grocery store, and to the gym—live and love like Jesus. Be confident in His authority. Teach His commands. Abide in His presence.
A Personal Reflection from K.P. Yohannan
“We are called to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. Going into the nations and making disciples,” says K.P. Yohannan (Metropolitan Yohan), founder of GFA World. “Jesus came to serve, not be served—so what should we be doing? Everything we do, as believers, should be out of an eagerness to serve the Lord—not out of guilt or to be religious.
We should have passion behind what we do for the Lord. We live in a fallen world and as believers how can we expect to know Him if we live selfishly? We need to share the hope that only He can give with others—it is meant for everyone, not just us.”[1]
How GFA World Responds
At GFA World, we provide a way for you to reach into all the world and share the Good News. Through national missionaries in Africa and Asia, we are reaching those who have never heard of God’s great love and salvation. These missionaries need prayer supporters and generous givers to make their ministry possible.
These men and women serve among unreached communities where the Gospel message has never been shared. They demonstrate God’s love through compassionate service and faithful testimony. Global Frontier Missions reports that right now, our world is urbanizing—people from all over the globe are flocking to major metro areas.[11] The need for churches and missions initiatives in city centers, both domestically and internationally, is critical.
By partnering with national missionaries, you help fulfill the Great Commission.
Will you join us in fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus?
What is the Great Commission? Find out how GFA World is fulfilling it today.
[1] “Choose To Serve, Part 1.” GFA World. Accessed July 27, 2023. https://www.gfa.org/resource/detail/audio-choose-to-serve-part-one.
[2] “Great Commission.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Commission. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[3] Piper, John. “Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them…” Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/go-and-make-disciples-baptizing-them. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[4] Ibid.
[5] “Who is responsible to fulfill the Great Commission?” 9Marks. https://www.9marks.org/answer/who-responsible-fulfill-great-commission/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[6] “The Four Alls of the Great Commission.” Crossworld. https://crossworld.org/the-four-alls-of-the-great-commission. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[7] Kwon, Stephe. “The Great Commission – Fulfilled by Churches and for Churches.” Acts 29. https://www.acts29.com/great-commission/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[8] “The Fulfillment of the Great Commission: A Responsibility of the Local Church.” Credo Magazine. https://credomag.com/2019/02/the-fulfillment-of-the-great-commission-a-responsibility-of-the-local-church/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[9] Jamieson, Bobby. “The Great Commission Is Bigger Than Your Church.” 9Marks. https://www.9marks.org/article/the-great-commission-is-bigger-than-your-church/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[10] Shiflet, Cole. “The Great Commission is for Every Christian.” Radical. https://radical.net/article/great-commission-for-every-christian/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
[11] “The Role of the Church in Great Commission.” Global Frontier Missions. https://www.globalfrontiermissions.org/the-role-of-the-church-in-the-great-commission. Accessed February 20, 2026.