When Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 28:19-20), often referred to as the Great Commission, he was outlining the core mission for his followers after his resurrection.
To understand what he meant by “make disciples,” it’s helpful to break down the concept:
- “Make Disciples” (Greek: matheteuo):
- More than just converts: A disciple (Greek: mathetes) is more than just someone who intellectually agrees with Jesus’s teachings or converts to Christianity. The term implies a learner, a student, an apprentice, or a follower who is actively engaged in the teachings and way of life of their master.
- A transformative process: Discipleship is a lifelong process of transformation, not a one-time event. It involves adopting Jesus’s worldview, character, values, and mission. It’s about becoming like him.
- Holistic formation: It’s not just about what you believe, but how you live. It impacts your thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions.
- The Process of Making Disciples as Outlined in the Commission:
- “Go”: This implies an active, outward-focused mission. Discipleship isn’t meant to be confined to a single location or group; it’s a global endeavor. It involves proactive engagement with the world.
- “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”:
- Identification and Initiation: Baptism is a public declaration of a new identity and commitment to God. It symbolizes repentance, cleansing, and initiation into the Christian community (the Church). It’s the entry point into the life of discipleship.
- Trinitarian Foundation: The specific mention of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit grounds the new disciple’s faith in the nature of God as revealed by Jesus.
- “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”:
- Instruction and Obedience: This is the core of the ongoing discipling process. It involves teaching new believers not just what Jesus taught, but how to live those teachings (“to observe” or “to obey”).
- Practical Application: It’s not rote memorization but practical application of Jesus’s commands to daily life. This includes his moral teachings (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount), his commands to love God and neighbor, to serve, to forgive, and to make sacrifices.
- Holistic Curriculum: “All that I have commanded you” encompasses the entirety of Jesus’s teaching and example, not just a select few doctrines.
In essence, “go and make disciples” means:
- Evangelism (Go): Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all people.
- Conversion and Incorporation (Baptizing): Invite people to commit their lives to Jesus and welcome them into the community of believers.
- Spiritual Formation (Teaching to Observe): Guide and nurture new believers to grow in their faith, understand Jesus’s teachings, and live a life of obedience to his commands, reflecting his character.
It’s a call to reproduce spiritual life – to help others come to know Jesus personally, grow in their relationship with him, and then, in turn, help others do the same. It’s about building God’s Kingdom through transformed lives.
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Category: Scripture