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Jesus Discipleship and the Great Commission
Jesus Discipleship and the Great Commission
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus! The Son of God! The new HIGH PRIEST! Our King! Our LORD – the LORD OF LORD’s.
What then does it mean to become a disciple? It means that we have been forgiven, redeemed from our sins, reconciled to God, adopted as God’s children, etc. These are the blessings of such a relationship. There are also RESPONSIBILITIES!
Jesus spoke many times concerning such discipleship (cp. Matt. 10:24-25; 16:24-28, etc.) and even more He emphasized that to walk with God we are to be a holy people unto Him. Thus the many teachings on holiness and how a holy person lives and conducts himself.
Hence the commission was to make disciples of people (by) baptizing them into the name of the father, Son, and Holy Spirit AND THEN TEACHING THEM TO KEEP (OBSERVE) ALL THAT JESUS HAS REVEALED.
Our evangelistic efforts do NOT end with baptism! This takes concerted effort on the part of God’s people. The new birth produces a ‘babe in Christ’ who needs the teaching, instruction, encouragement, rebukes when needed, and constant fellowship with other children of God.
Many do not feel equipped to do the teaching that leads to baptism, but we ALL can be part of the fellowship that strengthens and helps produce faithfulness in these new disciples. What part are you playing?
Hugh DeLong
