The “Great Commission” refers to Jesus’ final command to His disciples after His resurrection, before ascending to heaven. It’s found primarily in Matthew 28:18–20, but also echoed in Mark 16:15–18, Luke 24:46–49, John 20:21–23, and Acts 1:8.

​

“And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying,
‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
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 things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:18–20

​

What They Were Commissioned to Do

1. Go (Evangelize All Nations)

• Greek: “poreuthentes” (πορευθέντες) - “as you go,” “go forth.”

• They are to go beyond Israel, taking the gospel to all nations, not just the Jews (Matthew 24:14).

• This breaks the earlier geographic and cultural barrier

​

Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

2. Make Disciples (Not Just Converts)

• Greek: “matheteusate” (μαθητεύσατε) - “make learners” or “train followers.”

• The commission isn’t just to preach for a decision but to develop lifelong followers of Jesus.

• Discipleship involves instruction, mentoring, correction, and spiritual growth.

​

2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard from me… commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

3. Baptize Them

• Baptism publicly identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3–4).

• It’s done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - acknowledging the full nature of God.

• Baptism is both a declaration of faith and initiation into the body of Christ.

4. Teach Them to Obey

• The commission isn’t complete until believers are taught to obey Christ’s commands.

• This means living out the teachings of Jesus - not just knowing them.

• Disciples must be taught to live holy lives, love others, reject sin, and share their faith.

​

John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

5. Depend on His Presence and Power

• Jesus promises, “I am with you always.”

• In Acts 1:8, He explains how:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”

• The Great Commission cannot be done in human strength - it depends on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

​

​

In Mark 16, Jesus connects preaching the gospel directly with supernatural signs confirming the message (Mark 16:20). These signs are not the focus - but they bear witness that the Kingdom of God is real and active.

Matthew 10:7–8 (When Jesus Sent Out the Twelve)

 

“As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give.”

This instruction reflects the same mission He later extends globally after His resurrection (Matthew 28). The earlier “limited commission” to Israel becomes the universal commission to all nations - and the same works of power continue through His Church by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

 

Luke 9:1–2

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

 

Again, preaching and healing go hand-in-hand - word and power together.

Luke 10:9

“Heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

The miraculous acts are a visible demonstration of the Kingdom’s presence.

 

Acts 5:12–16 (Fulfillment in the Early Church)

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people…
Also a multitude gathered… bringing sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”

This shows that the early church continued to heal, cast out demons, and raise the dead as part of their obedience to Jesus’ command

(see also Acts 9:40–42; Acts 28:8–9).

​​

The Bible Never States That Miracles Have Ceased

Nowhere in Scripture does it say that miracles, healings, prophecy, or deliverance would end before Christ’s return.
In fact, the New Testament portrays these as normal functions of the Spirit-filled Church.

 

Mark 16:17–18 – “These signs will follow those who believe…”
(Not “the apostles,” but “those who believe.”)

• Cast out demons

• Speak in new tongues

• Lay hands on the sick and they will recover

Jesus explicitly connected miracles to believers in general — not just to the first-century apostles.

 

The Purpose of Miracles in Scripture

Miracles in the Bible were not random displays of power. They served specific purposes:

• To confirm the truth of the Gospel (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3–4)

• To demonstrate God’s compassion (Matthew 14:14)

• To manifest the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:9; Matthew 12:28)

• To edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7–11)

Since the Church still exists and the Gospel is still being preached, these purposes still apply today.

 

The “Cessationist” View – Where It Comes From

Cessationism is the belief that miraculous gifts ended with the death of the apostles or the completion of Scripture.
This view mainly comes from an interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8–10:

 

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

Cessationists claim “that which is perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible — so they argue that miracles stopped once Scripture was finished.

However, the context clearly points to the second coming of Christ, not the completion of the canon. Paul says later:

 

“Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

That “face to face” encounter happens only at Christ’s return, not when the Bible was finished. Therefore, this passage actually supports continuation, not cessation.

 

The “Continuationist” View – Miracles Continue Today

The continuationist position (held by most early Christians and many Protestant evangelicals today) teaches that all spiritual gifts remain active until Jesus returns.

Supporting passages include:

 

Acts 2:17–18 – “In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh… your sons and daughters shall prophesy.”
(We are still in “the last days” according to Scripture.)

 

1 Corinthians 1:7 – “You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”
(Paul expected spiritual gifts to continue until Christ’s return.)

 

John 14:12 – “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

 

Romans 11:29 – “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

 

Historical Evidence of Miracles After the Apostles

Even after the New Testament era, early church writings record many accounts of healings, exorcisms, and miracles — long before medieval superstition crept in.

For example:

• Justin Martyr (2nd century): said Christians were still casting out demons in Jesus’ name.

• Irenaeus (2nd century): wrote of believers healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out devils (Against Heresies, Book 2, Ch. 32).

• Tertullian (3rd century): challenged pagans to bring their demon-possessed to Christians for deliverance.

• Augustine (5th century): though skeptical at first, later recorded hundreds of healings he personally witnessed (in The City of God, Book 22).

 

Modern Evidence of Continuation

In modern times, countless documented healings and deliverances have occurred worldwide, particularly in:

• Mission fields (Africa, Asia, South America)

• Pentecostal and Charismatic revivals

• Even medical case studies showing inexplicable healings following prayer

While not all claims are genuine, the consistency across cultures and denominations strongly suggests God still moves supernaturally.

 

Conclusion

The Bible never teaches that miracles, healing, or deliverance have ceased.
Cessationism is a later theological assumption, not a biblical doctrine.
Scripture, history, and modern testimony all affirm that the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully through believers to heal, deliver, and demonstrate the Kingdom of God — just as Jesus promised.

​

Click the link below to learn more

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWIotHe5y7xuf9fH7bB8R6RozUVSLmA02&si=oxkqdbNagnPBaZrc

​

If you need deliverance or healing, visit Isaiah Saldivar's deliverance map, linked below

Deliverance Map — Isaiah Saldivar

​

CAUTION!

Please use discernment with deliverance ministers. Unfortunately, there are many out there who just want to make a profit.

"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." -Matthew 10:8

Many are also involved in witchcraft and mysticism. 

"But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time." -Acts 8:9-11

​​

YouTube channels like Mike Winger and Melissa Dougherty do a great job at exposing these types of ministers. I would recommend watching some of their exposing videos to get an idea on who to avoid and what spiritual red flags look like.