Matthew 28:18-20
18
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Dear Friends,
What a beautiful passage from God’s word! We as Christians, would all agree about the awesomeness of Jesus’ words.
But, if we pause for a moment and think about this and what does it mean, does it pull at our conscience to make disciples? Do we love people, image bearers of God, enough to give them the solution for the world’s greatest problem, sin?
If we agree all scripture is breathed out by God, even this passage, should we then do a serious self-evaluation? Are we to study how to evangelize and share our faith?
Even amongst Christians there are varying views on this call to “make disciples”, but what is the ultimate authority? Do we stand on our own authority, or the authority of Jesus?
Do we even go back to our most basic presupposition? Do we hold to a Biblical worldview, where God is all knowing, and He has revealed to us some of that knowledge?
Friends, what are we to do with this passage from Matthew?
My hope is that this will be food for thought for you. What is my view?
I believe we must make disciples, we must by the grace of God, share the Only way to the Father.
Christianity is not an inclusive faith, but instead an exclusive faith. What I mean is this, there is One way and only One way to have peace with God. Do we love people enough, to warn them about Hell and share the truth with them?
Friends I ask respectfully, with deep love, what should we do with this passage? Obey it? Ignore it?
Bless you all my dear online friends.
John Nel (Deacon at Long Sutton Baptist Church)
Reference:
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 28:18–20). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.