Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
No different than sending out the 72; is it?
Do a web search on sending out the 72 commission or sending out the 12 commission, and then do a search on the great commission. You will find that there is a big difference. The results for the 72 or 12 mention how Jesus sent them out on specific commissions. The results for the great commission show that Christians of all stripes believe that Jesus truly instituted something that is being carried out to this day.
Here is just one example; there are many more:
The Great Commission was not just for the immediate disciples that He was speaking to but it is given to all believers. Today, the Great Commission is still being fulfilled by international missionary work, by local churches in actively seeking the lost in their community, in outreach activities and by believers witnessing for Jesus Christ to their next door neighbor. The Great Commission will not end until the consummation of the Kingdom of Heaven. That is, during the church age today, all believers are commanded to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to go into all the world, even if it starts next door.
Let's see...
HE was in the Upper Room with His disciples.
He was talking TO them, about a SPECIFIC meal, and SAID specific things; to them.
Let me mull this over in my mind a bit.
The results for the 72 or 12 mention how Jesus sent them out on specific commissions.