Go and Make Disciples

Matthew ends his gospel account of Jesus with what we now call “The Great Commission.” Jesus has risen from the dead and He charges His eleven closest followers with their most important task. (There are only eleven because Judas committed suicide after betraying Jesus to the religious authorities)

(Mt 28:16-20) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

The first charge Jesus gives the 11 disciples in the Great Commission is to “go and make disciples.” 

• The original Greek word used here was the verb “to disciple, that is, enroll as scholar” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary”)     
• The IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig S. Keener defines disciples as “Students of rabbis or philosophers, normally committed to memorizing and living according to their master’s teachings.”

So, Jesus charged His closest followers to teach or disciple people to be committed to living according to Jesus’ teachings.

            I have spoken with many people who thought the word “disciple” referred only to the 12 closest followers of Jesus, or to super-Christians. Jesus applies the word to ALL those who follow Him. How well do you know His teachings?  Are you fully committed to living according to His teachings – to obeying His teachings?  That’s a tough question.  No matter where we are in our faith journey, we all have room to grow in our commitment and obedience.  For all of us, our faith and commitment go up and down like a roller coaster to some degree. That is why Jesus planned for His disciples to be in community.  We NEED each other to help us live as disciples and we need each other to help us make disciples. Let’s journey together, supporting and encouraging one another as we learn and grow in discipleship.

Please feel free to comment, include some encouragement, or leave a question, so that we can all grow and learn.

Have a God-filled week!

What does the Bible say about being a Christian?

How many times do you think the word "Christian" appears in the Bible?  Maybe 150, or 75? 
Guess again, lower.  How about 50?
Still lower.  20?
The word "Christian" actually only appears in the entire Bible only three times!

Acts 11:26b  The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 26:28  Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

1Pe 4:16  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

That's it.  The above three passages consitute the only references to the word "Christian" in the entire Bible.  It turns out that the original use of the word "Christian" was derogatory.  Jesus' followers were called "little Christs" as a way to mock them and their Lord Jesus.  Would anyone at work or school or in your neighborhood call you a "little Christ?"

     These passages don't shed much light on what it means to be a Christian.  If we want to know what the Bible has to say about being a Christian, we are given a clue in Acts 11 :26.  In that passage we are told that the "disciples were called Christians."  So, to learn more about what it means to be a Christian, we will have to take a look at what the Bible says about being a  "disciple."

     Join me next time as we look into what the Bible has to say about being a "disciple". 

I will post something every Wednesday and Sunday.