Issues, Etc. Revisiting the Great Commission – Pr. Dan Voth, 11/12/25 (3161)
Nov 12, 2025
Pr. Dan Voth, a pastor and author from Emanuel Lutheran Church, dives deep into the Great Commission in this engaging discussion. He explores the common misinterpretations that turn it into a guilt trip, emphasizing its focus on Christ's gifts of forgiveness, baptism, and teaching. Voth highlights the significance of the mountain setting and the true meaning of Jesus' command to 'go'—a call for everyday witness rather than an imperative. He also connects Christ's real presence in Holy Communion to the promise of 'I am with you,' enriching our understanding of the Commission's fulfillment in the church.
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Gifts Not Guilt
- The Great Commission is better read as Christ giving gifts to his church rather than a law-driven command on believers.
- The Holy Spirit, not human effort, creates faith as Christ works through word and sacraments.
Mountain Setting Matters
- Matthew places the disciples on a mountain to echo important Old Testament saving events like Sinai.
- The mountaintop setting frames the Great Commission as a gifting moment tied to worship and covenantal promises.
Authority Is Forgiveness
- In Matthew the authority Christ gives is specifically the authority to forgive sins won by his death and resurrection.
- That authority is passed to the church to announce absolution and comfort the troubled in conscience.
