At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commissions his disciples. He says,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Matthew 28:18-19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is a universal command to each and every disciple rather than a special invitation.
Not all calls are universal. The call to live a celibate life, for example, is a special call. Jesus says of this call, “He who is able to receive this, let him receive it” (Matthew 19:12). However, the call to make disciples is a universal call.
Every one of us is expected to take his place in the mission of the church in fulfillment of this command. Some will do much and some less, but each one of us can do at least one thing, introducing his “neighbor” to Christ. That is called personal relational evangelism.
But the question that follows is: “How can you introduce your friend, relative, or co-worker to someone they can’t see and hear? By relying on authority – and consequently strength and grace.
This authority is already given to you by the Lord, and is the same authority he received from his Father. He says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19).
Top image credit: Jesus calls his disciples to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11), digital illustration (cropped), © 2025 by Kevin Carden, from ChristianPhotoshops.com. Used with permission.
Jean Barbara is a coordinator from the People of God Community in Beirut, Lebanon. He served as the International President of the Sword of the Spirit from 2009 to 2024.