Discipleship – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 28, verses 18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Does “Disciple” mean anything today? One definition is one who follows the teaching and worldview of someone they respect. All of us are disciples to someone. Who will it be?
- What is the Great Commission?
Not just “go” to foreign missions.
Not just evangelism.
Rather, it is to make disciples of all nations. - Go: verse 19
“Having gone, make disciples”. As you go…
Here is where evangelism fits in. - Baptise: verse 19
The primary means of initiation into the Christian faith, a visible sign of entrance into the family of God. It is a public declaration of allegiance to Christ, an allegiance above that to Caesar (and all the “Caesars” of this age). - Teach: verse 20
Taught, so as to be more like Christ. - Living it out:
“Make disciples and … surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
