Matthew 28:18-19

I think that in order to understand this, one has to look at the commission that was given by Christ to the church.

In verse 18, the emphasis is on the word "all" which means that His authority is no longer as it was when He was a man preaching in Galilee and in Judea, but is once again universal. You see, "as it was when He was with the Father" before. Now He has died, and has been resurrected, and all authority is once again His.

Therefore, they are to understand that wherever they go, everything is subject to His authority. That is a good thing to remember. Everything is subject to Christ's authority. As they go, they are to make disciples. Here is where the emphasis is in this sentence—to make disciples. Teaching and baptizing do not make a person a disciple, though they play a part.

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus commissioned His disciples to go out amongst all the nations, even the whole world, and do what? Baptize them and teach them to observe the things that He had commanded them. So just as God created man and, in a way, commissioned him to be fruitful and multiply, to expand the human race, to grow in number and expand across the face of the earth, here God is saying, go out amongst those same people and to as many that God will call at this time, baptize, teach, and instruct. God is showing how He will teach and educate His people according to His way. He provides everything needed along the way.

Matthew 28:18-20

Any mention of power? Yes there is, but it is subtle, is it not? They would have power to heal. They would have power to cast out demons. But the wording in the book of Matthew is so obviously focused on authority and power. He said, "I have the power and I am giving it to you!" That is Matthew's approach.