And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).
The bible speaks of Jesus having all the authority in heaven and in earth. Jesus, for having all authority, delivers a command which is to be obeyed by those wanting to be His disciples. The command was to teach all nations the gospel and to baptize them who believe (Mark 16:15-16). According to Encarta Dictionary Tools, a command is an order or instruction given by somebody in authority and we must understand that all authority given to Christ in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18); thus, those who are under the authority of Christ must comply with His command. Every disciple must go out and preach the gospel, the only gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). It is the responsibility of each individual Christian to preach the same gospel that they received from Christ, anyone found teaching another gospel are bound to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). By preaching the gospel, baptism in the authority of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is also preached; therefore, those who believed the gospel must be baptized for their salvation for baptism doth also now saves us (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21). After those who believed are baptized, they must continually listen to the words of God which He also clearly commanded in verse 20 of Matthew 28. Thus it is clearly seen that Jesus commanded each Christian to “teach His words, baptize in the authority of the Godhead, and continue teaching His words. Thus, written in the 20th verse of the 28th chapter of Matthew is the assurance of Jesus’ presence for every faithful Christian who diligently obey His commands: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20).
