What is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?
When asking, “What is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?” it is important to know they are not two ways to say the same thing, but the terms are linked.
The Great Commandment, or the Greatest Commandment, is found in Matthew 22:36–40. Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NKJV). Conversely, the Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20, among other places.
After His resurrection, Jesus told the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV).
These passages are related. In one, Jesus says to love God and love your neighbor. In the other, He says to make disciples of all nations. Rather than leave a confusing puzzle, Jesus has given us both the Commandment and the way to fulfill it. The Great Commission is the way believers can carry out and obey the Great Commandment. By making disciples and teaching them about God, we do the Lord’s will—showing our love for Him—and we love our neighbors by showing them the love of God.
GFA World is determined to carry out both the Commandment and Commission in our ministries. Our vision is “to meet tangible needs of precious people and show God’s love to those who need it most,”[1] which is all about loving God and loving our neighbors around the world.
Our Child Sponsorship Program helps thousands of children in Africa and Asia attend school, eat nutritious food, drink clean water, learn good hygiene and break the cycle of poverty. Through all of that, they realize that there is a God who cares.[2] GFA’s national missionaries embody the Great Commission by sharing the gospel in areas that have never heard it the name of Jesus before. They are trained and sent out among their own people to make disciples and establish churches.[3]
As all of us believers answer “What is the Great Commission?” for ourselves, consider supporting GFA. Sponsoring a child or missionary ensures more and more people hear about God’s love and become disciples.
Learn more about what is the great commission
[1] “Our Ministries.” GFA World. Accessed July 12, 2023. https://www.gfa.org/ministries/.
[2] “Sponsor a Child with GFA World.” GFA World. Accessed July 12, 2023. https://www.gfa.org/sponsorachild/.
[3] “National Missionaries.” GFA World. Accessed July 12, 2023. https://www.gfa.org/sponsor/.