IX. Our Response — Love, Mission, and Discipleship

36. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission

We believe Jesus summarized the Christian life in two great commands: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Flowing from that love, we are commissioned to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded. Love compels us to go, and the gospel gives us the message to share. We live out our faith through love in action, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to all people until He returns.
Scripture References: Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-35; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8**

Expanded Explanation:

The Christian life begins and ends with love — love for God and love for people. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He didn’t give a list of rules but pointed to relationship: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30). This love fuels obedience, worship, and service. Flowing from it is the call to love others — not in words alone, but in action and truth (1 John 3:18).

From this foundation of love comes our mission. Jesus commissioned His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), empowering them by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are inseparable — one expresses the heart of God, the other fulfills His purpose.

Every believer is both a disciple and a disciple-maker. Loving God leads to loving people, and loving people leads to sharing the gospel. Evangelism, service, generosity, and compassion are not optional programs but the natural overflow of a life transformed by grace. We live “on mission” every day — in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and to the nations — until Christ returns and all creation joins in worship of the Lamb.