Jesus’ final instruction to His disciples is to go and make disciples. Matthew 28: 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [1]
Jesus can do this because He is the one with authority and can delegate it to His disciples. The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). Jesus said, “While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.”[2] The command is to make disciples of all nations. They were to repeat the process they had just experienced with Jesus. This process wasn’t limited to just the Jewish people; they were to go to the entire world.
Making Disciples
To make a disciple meant teaching the things that Jesus had taught. This would include submitting to Jesus’ lordship in obedience. Discipleship involves entering into a relationship with Jesus as Master and being willing to learn from Him continuously. It is not only head knowledge but the action of obedience that results from Jesus’ transforming power.
Baptism was part of this entrance into a relationship with Jesus. For generations, theologians have debated the timing of baptism. If we look forward in Scripture, we see whole households receive baptism (Acts 10:48, 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16). This happened when the head of the household became a believer. More than likely, these mass baptisms included children and those who had not been fully taught. We also see new believers be baptized as an act of repentance to identify themselves with Jesus.
Baptism can be a covenant as parents promise to raise their child in the faith, and it paves the way for the child to receive forgiveness and salvation. If a person comes to faith as an adult, baptism is a public proclamation of the faith that rescues from death and the promise of salvation.
The Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Here, Jesus instructs the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This points to what is known as the Trinity, or one God with three Persons. Notice Jesus says “in the name,” which is singular. Even though the word “Trinity” is not used in Scripture, the concept is present.
Remember, all three were present at the baptism of Jesus. The Father spoke and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). All three persons of the Trinity are also essential to discipleship. It also points to the divine nature of Jesus, who is to be worshipped along with the Father and the Spirit.
Jesus has discipled His followers and now sends them on a mission to go and make disciples. This command still applies to each believer today. Unfortunately, many congregations often expect the pastor to do this while they act as cheerleaders. This is not what Jesus said. We are all to make disciples as we go along. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/discipled-to-make-disciples
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 28:19–20). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 107). Victor Books.