What Did Jesus Give as His Final Commandment Prior to or As He Was Ascending?

 

 

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave His disciples a clear and final commandment known as the Great Commission. This directive encapsulated their mission as His followers and the ongoing work of the church. Jesus emphasized their responsibility to spread the gospel, make disciples, and teach obedience to His words.

 

In His own words:

 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20, LSB)

 

This was not merely a suggestion, but a commission directly from the risen Lord. It carries the authority of heaven and the ongoing presence of Christ. His command was global—make disciples of all nations—and instructional—teach them to observe everything He had commanded.

 

Jesus also gave this final instruction just before His ascension as recorded in the book of Acts:

 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, LSB)

 

Here, Jesus connects the coming power of the Holy Spirit with the work of bearing witness to Him. The gospel message was to begin in Jerusalem and expand outward—locally, nationally, and globally.

 

These final words highlight Jesus’ expectation for His followers: go, teach, baptize, and be witnesses. The command to “make disciples” involves intentional effort to lead others into relationship with Christ and train them in obedience to God's Word.

 

Jesus' final commandment reflects the heart of God's redemptive plan—to call all people into fellowship with Him through the saving message of Jesus Christ. As such, every believer is called to participate in this mission until He returns.

 

He closed His earthly instruction with assurance:

 

“And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b, LSB)

 

With this promise, Christ assures us that though He ascended to heaven, His presence continues with His people by the Holy Spirit as they fulfill His command.

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

Matthew 28:19–20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.”