We have laid the foundation of Church governance; now we turn to what that structure prepares every Saint to do — starting with the Great Commission.
The Commission is the universal call given to every believer without exception. Whatever your gift, role, or season of life, these are the things every Christian is called to do. They are not optional or reserved for the gifted few — they are the standing orders of King Jesus for all who belong to Him.
3.1 The Great Commission — Go and Make Disciples
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His followers their primary marching orders: go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Mark 16:15
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Luke 24:46-48
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
John 20:21
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
3.2 Be Witnesses
Every believer is a witness — called to testify to what Christ has done in their life and in the world.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 4:20
“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
1 John 1:3
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”
3.3 Be Salt and Light
Believers are to be a preserving and illuminating influence in the world — holding back decay and shining the light of Christ into darkness.
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Philippians 2:14-16
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Ephesians 5:8-9
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”
3.4 Be Ambassadors for Christ
Every Christian is an official representative of Christ’s Kingdom on earth, carrying the message of reconciliation to a broken world.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
3.5 Proclaim God’s Praises
As God’s chosen people, believers declare His excellencies with both their lips and their lives.
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
3.6 Do Good Works
Saved by grace alone, believers are created for good works — prepared in advance by God Himself for us to walk in.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Titus 2:14
“Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”
Galatians 6:9-10
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
James 2:17-18
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead… Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
3.7 Fish for People and Work the Harvest
Jesus called His followers to actively seek and bring people into the Kingdom — fishing for souls and labouring in the harvest field.
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 9:37-38
“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.””
John 4:35
“Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
3.8 Bear Fruit That Lasts
Jesus appointed His followers to bear lasting fruit — both the fruit of Christlike character and the fruit of lives changed for eternity.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Colossians 1:10
“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
3.9 Love One Another
Jesus’ new commandment: love one another as He has loved us. This sacrificial love is the defining mark of true discipleship and the most powerful witness to a watching world.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:12-13
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
1 John 3:16-18
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us… If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
3.10 Serve Others Humbly
Jesus modeled servant leadership by washing His disciples’ feet. Greatness in His Kingdom comes through humble service.
Mark 10:43-45
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
John 13:14-15
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Matthew 25:40
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
3.11 Care for the Vulnerable
Beyond preaching the gospel, the Church is called to serve people — caring for the elderly, widows, the sick, the poor, the fatherless, and the foreigner among us.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Leviticus 19:32
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
3.12 Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Time is short and the days are evil. Believers are called to live wisely and seize every opportunity to do good and share the gospel.
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Colossians 4:5-6
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Romans 13:11-12
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
3.13 Preach the Word
The proclamation of God’s Word is central to the Church’s mission. We are entrusted with the message of salvation and must speak it boldly.
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”
Romans 10:14-15
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
1 Corinthians 9:16
“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
3.14 Be Ready to Give an Answer
Every believer should be prepared to explain and defend their faith with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.”
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
3.15 Build Up the Body of Christ
Every believer has a part to play in strengthening the Church. We encourage, edify, and build one another up in love.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Ephesians 4:15-16
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
3.16 Live Holy Lives
Believers are called to be set apart for God’s purposes — not conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of the mind.
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
1 John 2:6
“Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.”