“teaching them to observe all I
have commanded you…” Jesus in Matthew 28:20
“If God calls you to be a missionary, don’t stoop to be a king,” (Jordan Grooms, 1912-2006)
“I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages…whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world.” (Robert Moffat, 1795-1883 Missionary to Africa.)
As we further contemplate Jesus’ final words that Matthew
recorded, we will focus on two key words of this passage: baptizing (v. 19) and teaching (v.
20). Both of these words give more detail to the phrase in the previous verse,
“make disciples,” (v. 19).
Making disciples involves both baptizing and teaching.
At first glance it would appear that Jesus is prioritizing
the act of baptism above almost all else in the Christian life. While the sacrament of outward
baptism is vital to the obedient Christian life, the call here by Jesus is more
than merely to be about the physical act of baptizing. The call to be baptized, as it is
used contextually in the New Testament, is the call to undergo a change of
spiritual identity.
For example, 2 Corinthians 10:2 says “all were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
Jesus said in Mark 10:38, “Are you…to be baptized with the baptism with
which I am baptized?” These verses
make sense, along with the other New Testament references to baptism, only when
interpreted with the idea that baptism implies a change of spiritual identity. Hence, baptizing,
as taught here in v. 29, is the transfer of our spiritual identity “from the domain
of darkness” to the “kingdom his beloved Son, in whom we are redemption, the
forgiveness of sins,” (Colossians 1:13-14).
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| Several young men born into a Muslim country who are awaiting to be baptized as Christians. I had the awesome privilege of leading two of these guys to Christ. |
The new spiritual identity into which we are to baptize the
nations is in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, (v. 19). Notice that this does NOT say we are to baptize
into the names of (plural), but the name of (singular). This implies one identity, one
godhead, one God. And the
three persons of the Trinity are found right here together at this climatic and
final moment in Matthew’s gospel.
This verse is a prime reason why Christians believe in the Trinity.
The second action verb in this passage is teaching. We are to teach all nations to observe all that Christ has commanded
us (v. 20). It is not enough to
just create converts to the faith; we must have disciples and churches in place
that will be teaching them. There is a place for sharing your
faith with strangers who come across your path, whether at a gas station,
grocery store or on an airplane. I believe God is able to bring others into that
person’s life who can pick up the teaching process where you left off.
But ideally our evangelism should be done in the context of
a ministry or church where the new convert can be taught, discipled and sent
out to baptize and teach others as well (see 2 Timothy 2:2). The need for teaching in
today’s world is especially vital where the Christian faith is growing rapidly,
places like China, Africa and South America. Too often the church in those places is “a mile
wide and an inch deep.” “Fierce wolves”
can easily “come in…not sparing the flock,” (Acts 20:29, see also Matthew
7:15).
Even where the teaching is rich, in
places like America, false teachers emerge and thrive in the shadow of the
church. Therefore, “all nations”
(v. 19) must be taught to observe all that Christ has commanded us.
To sum up, our part in the Great Commission is about 1)
going 2) evangelizing and 3) discipling. The
conveyor belt of history moves continually onward, without interruption, to the
time where, “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in
the sea, all that is in them, [will be] saying, “To him who sits on the throne
and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and
ever!” (Revelation 5:13). I want the fruit of my life to build
and point to that day. How about
you?
I don't think the teaching is that rich in America, where many church members are basically illiterate regarding the bible. And specifically, even when the bible is taught or preached, there is little about the many commands Jesus gave in the Gospel of Matthew, and the importance of "observing" them (if one is a true disciple).
ReplyDeleteI understand and even appreciate your point regarding the state of the church in America. However, the church in America has ACCESS to the best teaching in the world: from seminaries, to books, to Christian radio, etc. Whether or not they are taking advantage of such opportunities is the question and observation you raise. Is the church in the west loving the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind and loving our neighbor as ourself? Are we obeying and living out the Great Commission? Thanks for your input.
ReplyDeleteJesus never verified what Paul wrote thus indicating any made up stories can be present in the New Testament.
ReplyDeleteNone of the Church Father ever quote Matthew 28:19 or 1John5:7 in their early days, however in the 4th century concept of 'three gods in oneness' were added to the original texts of Matthew 28:19 and 1John 5:7 thus showing how twisted are the minds of men inventing lies.
Early Church Fathers believe that there is only One Father the creator, creating all including God Son and Holy Spirit.