Questions
What is the Great Commission? How does it relate to the abortion debate?
Summary: The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18–20, charges the church to make disciples of all nations—baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that Christ commanded. In the abortion debate, this commission shapes how Christians engage: not primarily as political advocates but as witnesses calling people to come under the authority of Christ. The church’s ultimate aim is not to shift policy but to form people who see life and death through the lens of the gospel.
The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:18-20 and reads:
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
While this commission is given to the original twelve disciples, it applies to God’s people as a whole. We are to be and make disciples. Discipleship, according to the Great Commission, involves two activities: baptism and teaching/learning. Individuals become disciples by being buried with Christ through baptism and learning to walk in newness of life by observing all his commandments (Matt 28:18–20; Rom 6:4).
While not specifically related to the abortion debate, the Great Commission frames out the primary task of the church: we are to be and make disciples for Jesus Christ. If our participation in the abortion debate hinders us from doing so, we would be wise to change our tactics within such disputes. It is certainly appropriate to advocate for the unborn; however, such advocacy must be done with the task of being and making disciples in mind.
You can read more on discipleship via the following articles at www.moodycenter.org:
About the Author — James Spencer, PhD, is a theologian, author, and host of the Thinking Christian podcast, where he writes and speaks on Christian formation, political theology, and technology. He holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an MA in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. He serves as president of the D. L. Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts, as an Associate Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology, and as adjunct faculty in Wheaton College’s MA in Leadership program. His forthcoming book is Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Learn more at thinkingchristian.org.