And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:18-20
Who is Jesus talking to? Is this text only for pastors or missionaries? The answer would be that, without a shadow of a doubt, every Christian is called to play a part in fulfilling the "Great Commission" of Jesus Christ. Whether you are a dentist, a farmer, or a pastor it is your calling. Not only is the Christian called to this but it is the Christian's joy and passion. To not take part in this commission would be to cease doing the very thing that we were made to do.
This raises the question, "How?" How does a teacher or a social worker or a pastor fulfill the Great Commission? The text is clear that we do this by making disciples of all nations. There are two main arguments among churches about what it means to make disciples. The first argument is that making disciples is exclusively bringing people to salvation. The second argument is that making disciples is exclusively taking people from salvation and training them to be followers of Christ. These both have biblical merit and are two halves that make up a solid definition of what it means to make disciples.
Right after the commandment to make disciples of all nations Jesus gives the practical outworking of this when he says, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." The "baptizing" is showing the fact that people are being saved and declaring their salvation through the practice of baptism. So the first half is that we, as the body of Christ, should make it our goal to bring people unto salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The "teaching to observe all that Jesus commanded" is showing that after receiving salvation and being baptized, people are learning what it means to follow Jesus and to walk as he walks. So we are to make disciples by winning souls to Christ and teaching them to follow Jesus as true disciples.
This is God's heart for the nations! We should share that heart and take joy in playing a part of God's sovereign plan for the salvation of his bride. Start thinking today of creative ways you can begin to make disciples of all the nations.
In Christ,
Erik Ripley
-Matthew 28:18-20
Who is Jesus talking to? Is this text only for pastors or missionaries? The answer would be that, without a shadow of a doubt, every Christian is called to play a part in fulfilling the "Great Commission" of Jesus Christ. Whether you are a dentist, a farmer, or a pastor it is your calling. Not only is the Christian called to this but it is the Christian's joy and passion. To not take part in this commission would be to cease doing the very thing that we were made to do.
This raises the question, "How?" How does a teacher or a social worker or a pastor fulfill the Great Commission? The text is clear that we do this by making disciples of all nations. There are two main arguments among churches about what it means to make disciples. The first argument is that making disciples is exclusively bringing people to salvation. The second argument is that making disciples is exclusively taking people from salvation and training them to be followers of Christ. These both have biblical merit and are two halves that make up a solid definition of what it means to make disciples.
Right after the commandment to make disciples of all nations Jesus gives the practical outworking of this when he says, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." The "baptizing" is showing the fact that people are being saved and declaring their salvation through the practice of baptism. So the first half is that we, as the body of Christ, should make it our goal to bring people unto salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The "teaching to observe all that Jesus commanded" is showing that after receiving salvation and being baptized, people are learning what it means to follow Jesus and to walk as he walks. So we are to make disciples by winning souls to Christ and teaching them to follow Jesus as true disciples.
This is God's heart for the nations! We should share that heart and take joy in playing a part of God's sovereign plan for the salvation of his bride. Start thinking today of creative ways you can begin to make disciples of all the nations.
In Christ,
Erik Ripley
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