Various denominations select different passages from the gospels of the so-called "Great Commission." This is because the different accounts include different signs. Even though different writers wrote a variety of signs, they all wrote of the same event in time when Jesus gave parting instructions to his disciples after his resurrection just before his ascension. So if you follow one gospel*s record, then you must follow the other gospels* records also, for they are one and the same, even though they each mention different aspects of that certain event.  

Let us examine each of the gospels to see exactly what scripture has to say. Matthew 28:16-20, "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, Al/power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father~ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you a/way, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

"Matthew*s gospel contains baptism and observance to the law (commandments).  

Mark 16. 14-2 0, "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."  

Mark*s gospel specifically requires baptism for salvation. The following signs also accompany believers: casting out demons, speaking in tongues, handling snakes, drinking poison, and healing.

  Luke 24:46-49, "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer~ and to rise from the dead the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."  

Luke*s gospel commands repentance and remission of sins. In chapter 3, Luke tells the ministry of John "preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (verse 3), so it is clear that these Jews understood what they had to do to receive remission of sins. They had to be water baptized.  

John*s gospel gives no record of this event. However, in a prior "post-resurrection" appearance of the Lord Jesus, look at the power which He bestows on his disciples. John 20:23, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."  

Again, Jesus tells them the order in which they should go in Acts 1:1-9. They are to begin in Jerusalem, their capital city. Then they are to spread out to Judea, the country around the city. They extend next into Samaria where Jews had intermarried with Gentiles against God’s command. From there, the dispersion moved unto the rest of the earth, in fulfillment of God*s promise made to Abram in Gen. 12: 1-3, "...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed, "and in Isa. 60:1-4, And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."  

What gospel were these disciples preaching? Was it salvation through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus as payment for their sins? Had these men ever been given THAT message?  

It is wrong to assume that they preached something different than what they had been told by the Lord Jesus Himself. Many people try to put the knowledge we now have back into their message. But scripture does not support that. There is no Biblical reason for us today to attempt to change the content of the disciples* message, though many incorrectly do. This causes confusion and dilutes the "simplicity" (2 Cor. 11:3-4) that is in the gospel that Paul preached, which was not Jesus in the flesh (2 Cor. 5:16), but it was Jesus "according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25).  

The disciples did preach faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ (the Messiah, the Chosen, the Anointed One of God). People in that dispensation had to recognize who Jesus was (John 1:3 1), and believe in His name (John 1:12), and be baptized.  

When Jesus commissioned his disciples in Matt. 10:5-8, the kingdom was only offered to Israel, and the signs of it were healing and casting out demons. Notice that is the same thing as Mark 16. Had their commission changed? It had not! The same incident in Mark 6:7-13 has repentance, whereas repentance is included in chapter 24 of Luke*s gospel. We find the commission in Luke 9:1-6 with casting out devils, healing, and preaching the kingdom of God. This was the same as the kingdom of heaven on earth, as Christ told his disciples to ask in the "Lord*s prayer in Matt. 6.10, "Thy kingdom come, thy will he done in earth, as it is in heaven." They were looking for the kingdom of heaven to come to earth. That is the very site John beheld in his revelation, Rev. 2 1:2, "And I John saw the ho/v city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out o/ heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Abraham also looked for it (Heb. 11:10). Jesus was only sent to Israel (Matt. 15:24). He came unto the Jews (John 1:11). Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). 

Peter preached the same gospel in Acts 2:38, Repent, and he baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus* Christ for the remission of sins, and ye .shall receive the gift o/the Holy Ghost. " Thus far the gospel message had NOT changed. It had expanded to now include the baptism of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues. These are the same signs as we read in Mark 16. SAME GOSPEL...NO CHANGE .... YET!  

It is not until the apostle Paul*s writings that we find "another gospel." Whereas Peter blamed (Acts 2:23) his listeners with killing Christ, Paul gloried (Gal 6 14) in the cross.  

We now know God*s purpose in the death of Christ on the cross. We now understand what God accomplished through it. We now have further revelation beyond what the disciples had.... all because of God*s mystery plan made known to Paul.  

It is God*s intention for us to make this mystery known to all men (Eph. 3:9, Eph. 6:19, Col. 1:25-29, 1 Tim. 2:3-7). We find our commission in this dispensation of grace in 2 Cor. 5:18-20, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you &v us: we pray you in Christ ~ stead, be ye reconciled to God" It is the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), not the same gospel as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

This is David Dowell hearing the "certain sound of the trumpet" and saying, "Think about it!"

‘For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound. who shall prepare himself to the battle?" 1 Cor. 14:8