Lutheran Vocational Evangelism

(Understanding the “Great Commission,” Part Two)

For many years, we have been told that Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” was a commissioning passage (The Great Commission), even a command. However, when we look at the word given to us, rather than being an imperative to “Go!” we find that it is a passive verb meaning it is not a command. It would rather be better stated “as you are going.” Making disciples is not a command but is and should be a natural part of our going, our living our lives. As we are living our lives, we are to be making disciples.

Of whom are we to be making disciples, or to use more contemporary language, what is our target audience? All nations is our target audience. We are to make disciples of all nations meaning everyone we meet.

And how are we to be making disciples? We are to make disciples by baptizing. Here again we see that baptism is one of the means through which God gives faith. When we see that our “target audience” is all nations and we understand that adults as well as children and infants are citizens of a nation from birth, we hear God’s encouragement to make disciples of all people no matter the age by baptizing them.

But Jesus is not done, He goes on to add that we are also to teach them all that He has commanded. Teaching is an important part of making disciples, and we should not be negligent in our teaching. Indeed, it is after faith is given that we are to grow in our faith through our continued study of God’s Word, all that He has commanded.

Finally, we have more great comfort in Jesus’ promise that He will be with us to the end of the age. Thus, we see that this is not a “Great Commission,” rather this is a great giving of authority and a great promise. As we are living our lives, as we meet people of all ages, we have Jesus’ authority to bear witness of our faith to them, and He will be with us giving us the words and courage to be His witnesses.

4 of 52    © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)