Subject: The Great Commission Introduction: God’s Word is His voice to all of us. “Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall NOT live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that PROCEEDETH out of the MOUTH OF GOD.” “Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” [A direct quoted scripture from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 15 in paragraph 1.] God expects us to obey His voice. God’s Word says in, “Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, IF thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His Commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the Earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, IF thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” Deuteronomy 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and He shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 9 The Lord shall establish thee a Holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, IF thou shalt KEEP the Commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways. 10 And all people of the Earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure, the Heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; IF that thou hearken unto the Commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: “Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His Commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I AM the LORD that healeth thee.” 1. If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, 2. and wilt DO that which is right in His sight, 3. and wilt give ear to His commandments and walk in His ways, to observe and to do them, 4.and keep all His statutes, God promises us, “I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I AM the LORD that healeth thee.” “A study of evangelism should begin by examining our Lord’s instructions to His disciples in the final weeks of His life on Earth. His parting words have come to be known as the Great Commission.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 15 paragraph 3.] The first: The Great Commission “Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “ALL power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have Commanded you: and lo, I AM with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” “The Great Commission is more than a simple statement or Command. It is an expression of the mission to which Jesus committed His first followers, and it extends to His Church TODAY.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 15 paragraph 4.] 1. Going is essential. The spiritually lost of this world are NOT obligated to come to the Church to be rescued. We are obligated to go to them. The Church CANNOT rest while any group of people waits for the redemptive message of Jesus. [A direct quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 18 bottom of the page.] 2. The message must be orally communicated. In Mark, the verb is “proclaiming.” In Matthew the verb is “teaching.” The Great Commission calls us to tasks of proclaiming and discipling. [This is a direct quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 18 bottom of the page.] 3. Both accounts include baptizing. The baptism of converts is an essential ingredient in fulfilling the Great Commission. Water baptism is NOT an optional ritual. Along with Communion, it represents one of two primary ordinances of the Church. Baptism is not just believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day, but that you yourself have died in Christ’s death on the cross and have been washed clean by His shed blood from ALL OF YOUR PAST SINS and been buried in Jesus’ burial, and risen in His resurrection to a new way of Living your life for God alone as Jesus Christ did when He was on the Earth and He is your example. It is your public outward testimony to other people present that God through Jesus’ one time perfect permanent sacrifice has done this for you in your life. Also Baptism is a confirmation to the believer that he has passed from death to Life due to God’s inward work in your spirit. It demonstrates that the person’s old dead spiritual life is buried and that the believer is a brand new creation that never before existed who is “born again” of God’s Holy Ghost person Spiritually ALIVE IN Jesus Christ. The person who is “born again” has started to Live a totally New Life, but this Life is just the beginning, the starting line, not the finish line. The old person no longer exists. [This is a paraphrased quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 18 bottom of the page.] “2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new. 18 And ALL things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was IN Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you IN Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew NO sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God IN Him.” Matthew 10:1 And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal ALL manner of sickness and ALL manner of disease. Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: FREELY ye have received, FREELY give. “Acts 26:8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” The second: The Great Commission “Mark 16:15 And He said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth NOT shall be damned. 17 And these signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and IF they drink any deadly thing, it shall NOT hurt them; they shall LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, and they SHALL RECOVER.” “Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance suffereth not to live.” 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. “Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt NOT tempt the Lord thy God.” “Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” “Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.” “Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and OVER ALL the power of the enemy: and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.” “The well-known Commands of Jesus at the conclusion of Matthew and Mark convey a comprehensive mission not only to His disciples but also to the Church of Jesus Christ TODAY. These Commands are A UNIVERSAL CHARGE to ALL BELIEVERS to PROCLAIM Christ’s message and disciple believers as followers of Christ.” [This is a direct quote Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 19 4th paragraph.] Even Baby Christians are to DO this from the very moment that they are Born Again, and especially IF they are Baptized in God’s Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, same thing. “John1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 20 The Salvation Message 2nd paragraph.] We are to proclaim Jesus Christ’s message of repentance of sins and of God’s forgiveness provided for sins BY the shed blood of Jesus Christ in Full Payment for all of our Past sins. The Great Commission in Luke and Acts [This is taken from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 19 first two paragraphs.] The third: The Great Commission “Luke 24:44 And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. 45 Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” “Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given Commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: 3 To whom also He shewed Himself ALIVE after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them FORTY DAYS, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, Commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” “Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.” [This is taken from Chapter 1 Unit 1 page 19 first two paragraphs.] The fourth: The Great Commission “John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My hath sent Me, even so send I you. 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 12 Unit 4 page 154 second and third paragraphs.] “The Bible preached and taught correctly demands servants of the text, people who are, as Martin Luther expressed it, “under the Word.” The pulpit must be used to teach under the authority of God’s Word, NOT to convey personal opinion. People do NOT assemble to hear what the preacher thinks, but what God thinks. The messenger of God’s Word has a responsibility to proclaim the whole Truth. We would do well to learn from our own legal system, which was established on biblical principles. When The Truth is sought from a witness in court, the witness is required to pledge to “tell The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but The Truth so help me God.” Preachers and teachers of God’s Word should subscribe to the same pledge.” “Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.” “Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” “Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to ALL the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” “Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. “Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (KJV) “Acts 20:26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.” “Acts 20:27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” “Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for ALL the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” “Acts 20:29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;” “Acts 20:30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (NASV) This is what a preacher or teacher is doing when they say, “This does NOT appear anywhere in God’s Word and it is JUST my own “PERSONAL OPINION,” but . . . Subscribing to the same pledge would be a vow to God Himself in Jesus name that as a preacher or teacher of God’s Word you will tell The Truth God Himself intended to be taught to His Children, your flock of sheep. NOT whatever personal opinions or personal beliefs you want to teach. [This is a direct quote from Chapter 12 Unit 4 page 154 fifth paragraph.] “As Paul mentored young Timothy, he told him, “Be diligent to present yourself approved of God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling The Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). To accurately handle The Word of Truth—preaching the Bible as it requires—we must address these issues: inspiration, illumination, and application.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 12 Unit 4 page 154 under the title Inspiration first, second and third paragraphs.] Inspiration “God used human writers as His messengers, but they left us with His message. As they wrote, the Holy Spirit “breathed” (God’s word choice) The Truth of God through what they said. The writers did NOT pen God’s Word simply from their own initiative or from their natural knowledge and wisdom. “2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved BY the Holy Ghost.” (KJV) The Assemblies of God doctrinal statement makes this clear in its first fundamental Truth: “The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of Faith and conduct. God used the experiences, thoughts, and vocabulary of the prophets and apostles. Furthermore, He directed their thoughts. When we study God’s Word to understand what the writers’ inspired meaning was, we must recognize that they were writing beyond themselves. Although God used human writers, His Spirit is The Author of the Bible.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 12 Unit 4 pages 154 and 155 under the title Illumination first and second paragraphs.] Illumination “To fully and accurately proclaim The Truth of the Bible, a preacher needs the illumination of the Holy Spirit, just as the authors needed His inspiration when committing God’s message to writing. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us “into ALL Truth” “John 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth.” (KJV) The Holy Spirit helps us to understand The Truth beyond our natural ability. The apostle John said, “1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know ALL things.” (KJV) “1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.” (NASV) The Bible provides abundant evidence that it is God’s Word, but a person is persuaded of the Bible’s Divine Authority by an inward work of the Holy Spirit. He alone can convince a person’s heart of The Truth. A wonderful thing happens when a regenerated believer reads God’s Word. The same Holy Spirit who inspired the writers will open the understanding of those who read it. The Holy Spirit guided the writers of His Word by inspiration. The same Holy Spirit guides those who hear, read, and study God’s Word by illumination.” When we proclaim God’s Word we must experience the message of Truth beyond our own mental comprehension. [This is a direct quote from Chapter 12 Unit 4 page 155 under the title Application first through the fourth paragraphs.] Application “Inspired Scripture is “God-breathed.” The purpose of breath is to create and sustain Life. “Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils The Breath of Life; and man became A Living soul.” (KJV) Of all preachers, Pentecostals should always be aware that God’s Word, proclaimed by the enabling of the Holy Spirit, produces and sustains Life in its hearers. The writer of Hebrews said in “Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For it The Word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so Great Salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;” Drifting takes no conscious effort or strategy. The currents and winds of social trends and fads, in the church as well as in the world, are always in motion. As preachers, we will be pressured by those who view The Word of God as the words of men. We must keep a straight course and not drift from our position on that Word. Preaching the Bible as The Word of God requires that the Holy Spirit’s message be communicated effectively, without compromise or distortion. The preacher’s challenge is to do this with vocabulary, concepts, and symbols that are relevant to the culture and generation of the receiving audience. In Pentecostal circles, speaking of the Holy Spirit’s anointing on preaching is common. However, many inaccurately equate an anointing with volume, demonstrative emotion or perspiration. Our popular use of the term is extra biblical. True anointing describes a divine phenomenon in which we preach beyond ourselves, outdoing ourselves because of the Holy Spirit’s touch, presence and activity in our preaching. Two other words in the New Testament better describe this: energeo, which refers to God’s “working” in His human agents, and zoopoieo, which is translated “quicken,” “give Life,” or “make alive.” The anointing has as much do to with what is happening to the hearer as it does to the speaker. Pentecostal preaching with the energizing touch of the Holy Spirit should produce the results we read about in Acts 2. When Peter preached with the Holy Spirit’s empowering on the Day of Pentecost, Luke records, “Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” “Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive The Gift of the Holy Ghost.” Spirit-energized preaching pierces to the heart and results in repentance, forgiveness, and transformed lives.” [This is a direct quote from Chapter 13 Unit 4 pages 168 through 172.] “New believers should be taught that prayer is NOT a ritual, but a conversation that involves both talking and listening. They need to be aware that God is everywhere and always hears when they pray. They also need to learn that the Bible teaches important conditions to receiving answers to prayer. Pray for God’s purposes. The apostle John wrote, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that IF we ask anything according to HIS Will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14, NIV). God is able to work more effectively in life circumstances for those who are committed to HIS will. Pray in faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). ““Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you”” (Mark 11:24). Pray in Jesus’ Name. In John 14:13 Jesus said, ““Whatever you ask in My Name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”” Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:5 There is One God, and One Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” We can come directly to God; that privilege is provided to us through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Praying in Jesus’ Name is not a formal ritual, but a significant factor in having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A Spiritual Family One of a person’s greatest needs in Life is to be part of a family. This is true in a spiritual sense, also. New believers should be encouraged to become a part of a church family. Explain the need to join with other Christians in worshiping God. As part of a church where spiritual brothers and sisters encourage them and help them, believers grow in Faith. Being a part of a church will also give them the opportunity to serve Jesus by serving others. Encourage new believers to pray for God’s guidance concerning the church to which they should belong. They should be part of a church where Salvation through Faith IN Jesus Christ is preached, a church where the Bible is believed, taught, and obeyed. Letting Others Know When something wonderful happens, we want to tell other people about it. Explain to new believers that the New Life Jesus has given them is the greatest thing that has ever happened to them. They can let others know what Christ has done for them through their actions and their words. Water Baptism One of the most important things people can do in their New Life IN Christ is to follow Him in water baptism. Baptism shows that our old life is dead. The action of being put under the water symbolizes the old spiritual life being buried. When we come out of the water again, we show that we are New People IN Christ. Jesus commanded us to be baptized to show people that our Life IS changed. Encourage new believers to be baptized as soon as possible. Witnessing Explain to new believers that another part of God’s plan for our lives is that He will use us to tell others about Jesus. God has chosen believers to have a part in building His Everlasting Kingdom. He commands us to tell others what He has done for us and what He will do for them. The Helper New believers should understand that they can do nothing to pay for their sins, but it will COST them something to follow Jesus. Some things in their old lives were wrong and caused them to sin. These things must change. Jesus commanded us in Luke 13:13 to turn away from our sins and put anything out of our lives that causes us to sin. Luke 13:13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. “Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” “Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into Life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the Fire that NEVER shall be quenched:” “Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the Fire is NOT quenched.” “Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into Life, than having two feet to be cast into Hell, into the Fire that NEVER shall be quenched:” “Mark 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the Fire is NOT quenched.” “Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into The Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into Hell Fire:” “Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the Fire is NOT quenched.” A person might think it will be difficult to banish some sins from their lives. Explain that when Jesus gave His life to FREE us from the penalty for sin, He also FREED us from “the power of sin,” or “the bondage to our nature of sin and death.” He sent the Holy Spirit to help us and empower us to Live a Holy Life to do God’s will. Jesus told His first followers: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you WILL be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV). We need the Holy Spirit’s help just as Jesus’ first followers did. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to be what God wants us to be—a witness for Jesus Christ in what we do, what we say, and who we are. Encourage new believers to immediately seek to be Filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised this gift to ALL believers. As Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39, NIV). In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he refers to believers as being “God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). In the lifelong process of becoming what God has destined believers to be, the stones placed first in the foundation of a new believer’s Life are the strength of his or her future. Help a new believer establish the right spiritual disciplines by immediately seeking the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. The early spiritual care in the believer’s Life is critical to forming lifelong habits that will influence his or her future development. Discipling What Is Discipleship? The terms evangelism and discipleship do not have exact counterparts in the Greek language. Evangelism comes from the word for “gospel.” Discipleship comes from the noun for “disciple” and the verb “to disciple.” In New Testament times, the Greek word mathetes generally referred to a style of education in which the disciple appropriated specific knowledge or conduct according to a set plan. It was the usual word for an apprentice in professions such as music, medicine, or rhetoric. A disciple was dependent upon an authority with superior knowledge in an ongoing relationship. The word could also apply to an intellectual link between people considerably removed in time. Socrates was considered to be a disciple of Homer, even though Socrates lived at least four hundred years after Homer (Kittel1967, 416-417). The verb form of disciple, matheteuo, is used only four times in the New Testament—in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), “Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of ALL the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (NASV) [emphasis added] and two other times in Matthew, and once in Acts. Three relevant verses follow here. [ALL (NASV)] “Matthew 13:52 And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of The Kingdom of Heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” [emphasis added] “Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.” [Emphasis added] “Acts 14:21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,” [Emphasis added] The phrases “become a disciple” and “made many disciples” are both translations of a single Greek verb for disciple, matheteuo. Notice that the verb is used twice in the New Testament in reference to becoming a disciple and twice in reference to making disciples. The Relationship of Discipleship with Evangelism Discipleship Includes Evangelism Discipleship is not just a follow-up to evangelism. In Matthew 28:19, when Jesus commanded His disciples concerning their mission, the imperative verb matheteuo had to include the proclamation of the gospel, because the Command Jesus gave was to make disciples from among the spiritually lost multitudes of ALL nations. Discipleship includes both reaching spiritually lost people with the message of Christ and establishing them as His committed followers. Evangelism Includes Discipleship Evangelism is not merely the proclamation of the gospel with the objective of leading people to a decision to receive Christ. It includes the entire process of reaching and discipling spiritually lost people. The good news always has a person’s eternal destiny in view. The goal of evangelism is not only a salvation decision but also the formation of a devoted follower of Christ. In the context of Jesus’ teaching concerning the Kingdom, evangelism’s goal is to produce disciples who are committed to follow Christ for A Lifetime. The Disciple’s Goal The ultimate goal of a disciple is to become like his or her Master. Paul wrote to the Romans in 8:29, “Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” To the Corinthians Paul wrote, “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Becoming like Christ is our character, thoughts, words, and actions which affects our relationships with God and with other people. Paul identified those relationships in his epistles to the churches at Ephesus and Colosse. To the Ephesians, he wrote, “He chose us IN Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4). To the Colossians, “He has now reconciled you IN His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him Holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (Colossians 1:22). Being Holy has to do with our relationship with God—being separated to Him. Being blameless relates to our standing before the world—our relationship with other people, both believers and nonbelievers. Our relationships with God and others should be characteristic of how Jesus related to His heavenly Father and to people. The writer to the Hebrews echoes Ephesians and Colossians, “Make every effort to Live in Peace with ALL men and to be Holy; without Holiness no one will SEE the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV). The Ongoing Process of Discipleship The Role of Leaders in the Church Examine Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians: “And He gave some apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the Body of Christ; until we ALL attain to the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the Fullness of Christ . . . we are to grow up in ALL aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in Love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16, NASV) We who are being saved by grace are responsible for our own spiritual condition. We will stand alone before the Judgment Seat of Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10.) Jesus does not mean for believers to make the discipleship journey without help from others. He has sovereignly placed spiritual leaders in the Church both to help others become mature disciples and to equip members of the Body to disciple others. Continual Discipline and Dependence In 2 Peter 1:3-11, the apostle expressed the importance of ongoing personal spiritual development. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to Life and Godliness, through The True Knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your Faith supply Moral Excellence, and in your Moral Excellence, Knowledge, and in your Knowledge, Self-control, and in your Self-control, Perseverance, and in your Perseverance, Godliness, and in your Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and in your Brotherly Kindness, Love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in The True Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will NEVER stumble; for in this way the entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” Peter’s exhortation helps us to understand the practical objectives for local church leadership. The discipleship process he describes will result in the formation of devoted followers of Christ. As Paul did, Peter reinforces the essential need of believers for both discipline and dependence in discipleship. He specifies in 2 Peter 1:5 that development happens by “applying all diligence” when we “make every effort” (NIV). This indicates discipline on the part of the disciple. That discipline depends on what is stated in verse 3, that “His Divine Power had granted to us everything pertaining to Life and Godliness.” Continuing Growth Being Born Again—regeneration—is NOT the finish line of evangelism. It is the starting point for an effective Life IN Christ. The disciple of Jesus Christ is predestined by God “to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also Justified; and these whom He Justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30). A believer who is predestined, called, and Justified BY Grace is in the process of being glorified. Unlike Justification, glorification does not happen instantaneously. It is a progressive work. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Spiritual growth happens in stages, “from glory to glory,” as God works in us. Paul said to the believers at Philippi, “It is God who is at work IN you, both to WILL and TO WORK for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). In the same epistle, he expressed his confidence that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6). Notice that in 2 Peter 1:8, Peter says that if these qualities are the possession of the believer, and if they are increasing, they render the believer to be neither “useless nor unfruitful in The True Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, having these spiritual qualities is vital, but their continuing development is essential. It is spiritually tragic for any Christian to believe he or she has arrived spiritually. Like Jesus’ first followers, we are to be constantly growing, not only in Knowledge but also in Character and Ministry. As Peter says in 2 Peter 1:10, the promise that we need “never stumble” is contingent on us being diligent in our calling and practicing the things he lists. Growing in Grace The 2 Peter passage speaks of three phases of God’s Grace: 1. In 2 Peter 1:1, we have received the Faith by which we Live. 2. In 2 Peter 1:3, His Divine Power has “granted to us everything pertaining to Life and Godliness. 3. In 2 Peter 1:11, entrance into our Lord’s Eternal Kingdom “will be abundantly supplied” to us. Our spiritual Life begins with A Gift from God. It is sustained by the Power He continues to give. At the end of this Life, entrance into His Eternal Kingdom will be given to us. Our past, present, and future area all results of God’s Grace.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 13:18:20 +0000
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