The last Words of Jesus in the book of Matthew are what is called The Great Commission, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world’ (Matt.28:19-20).

This was a unique event on a certain mountain in Galilee. It is the only meeting of Jesus with His followers set by Jesus beforehand. The other appearances of the Lord after His resurrection were not announced beforehand and a surprise to His followers.  This was an exclusive assembly.  Only the eleven apostles were invited. This is the time and the only time the Apostles were commissioned to preach and baptize to the whole world. There was a previous commission for the twelve to go preach and heal to Israel only; here the command is to go to the entire world; the Jewish leaders had refused the kingdom, its polity spiritual not carnal; the kingdom, now, goes to the Gentiles (us) as well.

This, we conclude, is the authority and power for the Apostles to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. It is in mystery form on earth. See Matt. 13.

Mark 16 is by some tied to this as the same meeting; as though Jesus could not repeat the command to evangelize. All promoters and educators know that repetition is necessary for getting a message across.  Mark 16 is very valuable because it defines the apostolic era.  No one is commanded to baptize and it occurs in Bethany.

It is our privilege to support the ministry of The Great Commission as it is carried on today by those who are called by the Lord to keep going with the apostolic duties of Matt. 28:19-20 with our prayers, gifts, and witnessing; and, as we find in Luke 20:47 which comes as a duty to all of Jesus’ disciples, that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in all nations.”