Go and Make Disciples
Jesus gave what is known today as the Great Commission, which is:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” - (Matthew 28:19-20).
But here is what is often left out of the Great Commission: “Make disciples of all nations.” Every Christian is called to go into the world and make disciples. But I didn’t say that everyone is called to be a preacher. Not everyone is called to be a Paul or a Peter. You might be a behind-the-scenes person. You might be someone few people know about, but you are where you are and want to do what you do for God’s glory. So we are all called to go and make disciples.
Here is the problem: There are a lot of Christians today that have never done this. They have never even thought about this, much less made an effort to do it. In fact, I think there can come a point in your Christian life where you don’t need to hear more Bible studies (now, don’t take that out of context). What I mean is there can come a point when you are sitting down and having a meal, and it is time to push away from the table, digest your food, and turn it into energy to do something productive.
I love Bible studies. I love teaching the Bible and want to help others understand the Bible. But if all you do is listen to Bible studies and never do anything with what you’re learning, then you will be in danger of stagnating.
The big question is, do we really believe what the Bible says? Because if we do, then it means that someone who doesn't know Jesus Christ when he or she dies will go to hell. Do we really believe this? If we do, then how can we be so cavalier about evangelism? How can we be so uncaring if we really believe what we say we believe?
If we are disciples, then we need to go and make disciples of others. And if we are not making disciples of others, the question arises as to whether we are really the disciples God wants us to be. The prescription for spiritual dryness is to go out and try to win people to Christ and help them grow spiritually, fulfilling the Great Commission.
Bible Commentary on "Go and Make Disciples"
The following text is Bible commentary from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible on Matthew 28:19 KJV:
Go ye therefore
Into all the world; some into one place, and some into another; since his power and authority, and so now the commission he gave them, reached everywhere: before it was confined to Judea, but now it is extended to all the nations of the world; see (Matthew 10:6-7), (Mark 16:15),
and teach all nations;
Jews and Gentiles, first the one, and then the other, the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it; whatever they had learned from Christ, or were ordered by him, or "disciple all nations": make them disciples by teaching them; or, as the Persic version, by way of explanation, adds, "bring them to my religion and faith": not that they were able to do this of themselves, but they were to teach men externally, or outwardly minister the word, whilst the Spirit of God internally applied it, and taught, and made men true disciples of Christ: and they are such, who have learned to know themselves, their sin, and lost estate by nature; to deny themselves, both sinful and righteous self; who have learnt to know Christ, and the way of righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation by him; and who are taught and enabled to part with all for Christ, and to bear all for his sake, and to believe in him, and give up themselves to him, and follow him whithersoever he goes:
Taken from “Go... and Make Disciples!” by Harvest Ministries (used by permission).
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/william87
