The Great Commission-Part I Making Disciples

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

Q:    What is the Great Commission?
A:    It is the Commission of Jesus Christ to each and every one of His disciples or followers.  

We see 3-things called out in the scriptures above that are the basis of this Great Commission.

1.    Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations
2.    Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3.    Teaching them to observe all things that we have been taught

I would like to break down these 3-things and learn more of our great responsibility as Christian men and women with regard to God's Great Commission.

The first thing we will look at is the instruction to, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations."  

Q:    Does this mean that we personally have to go into every nation looking for people to make disciples out of?  

A:    No.  This is not implying that we personally go into all the nations.  In fact in Mark chapter 16, this commission is translated to say, "As you go."   What it means is that in every place we go, whether it be to school, work, the ballpark or even the grocery store, that we are looking for opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and make disciples of these people.

But as we do this, individually, then the whole world, and every nation is reached, and thus, we, as a body of believers will have achieved this Great commission. 

Q:    What is a disciple?
A:    A disciple is simply a person who hears, understands, and obeys Jesus' teachings.

Q:    What does it mean to make a disciple of someone?
A:    Well, first of all let me tell you what it doesn't mean.

This isn't implying that you need to get your masters in Theology or a degree in Biblical studies to go out and share what you know about God and His Word.  As we spend time in the Word each day, we need to take what we learn and apply it to our lives (become disciples), and then we need to go out and share it (make disciples) with someone.  

As we are led to share the basics of our Christian faith with others, and they receive it, and confess Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, they too, will become "born again."  But much like giving birth to a baby, were not to just walk away after that without caring for them. We have now started the process to disciple another.

As we disciple a person, we are going to bring that person to the point where they will accept Jesus Christ as his or her teacher; we are assisting them.

We must understand that we cannot make a disciple out of anyone, if it is not their desire.  We, as believers, just share the message of salvation by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.  If someone does not want to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then we cannot disciple them in the teachings of the Bible.  This results in reformation, which is merely an attempt to change our outward behavior and apply rules and regulations for living.  

Regeneration on the other hand is when we are transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and we become a new person.  We are now change from the inside and are empowered to make these changes.  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)


Once a person has been Born Again, they now look to Gods Word to guide them in their decision making process, they simply act in accordance to their new identity and position in Christ and abide in His will and in His Word.  When we are making disciples out of them, we are simply helping them in this process.

In Part II of this Devotional series, we will look at the second thing we are to do according to the Great Commission, and that is Baptizing.  

I want to encourage you today to share the Gospel message with those you come upon--Go make Disciples.  Be willing to help others become a disciple of Jesus Christ, and then help them to understand by sharing what you are learning and helping them get plugged in to a good Bible study, and Bible teaching Church. 

STUDY QUESTION:  What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?  What does it mean to make disciples?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you making disciples as commanded by God?

APPLICATION: Be willing today to be used by God.   If you are willing, and are abiding in Him, and reading your bible, then simply share what you're learning with others; God will do the rest.