Evangelism and Discipleship
Acts 1:8 states that every Christian has been given a command to be a witness for Christ. Mark 16:15 states each Christian has been commissioned to make known the Gospel message to the unsaved of every generation. However, the greatest reason why we should witness for Christ is that He commanded it of us. The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) is not a challenge or an option; it is the Lord Jesus Christ's command to the disciples of every generation.
The fundamental imperative of the Great Commission is to make disciples. The Greek indicates an imperative of command, which means literally "to make a disciple of, teach." Matthew 28:19 in the KJV reads "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." The word teach means literally to "make disciples" as in the NASB. The Greek word meaning "to make a disciple of, teach" is the only verb in the commission; therefore, it emphasizes the most important detail of the passage. The words go and baptize in verse 19 and the word teaching in verse 20 are all participles, which means they inform us how we are to make disciples, how we are to teach. Before one can become a disciple, he or she must first understand the Gospel, which is the need for evangelism and is certainly implied in the word go.
On a basic level, the Greek word translated as "disciple" means to believe another's doctrine. However, there is a much deeper meaning, which is not only to learn but also to commit oneself as the teacher's follower in both doctrine and lifestyle. Furthermore, the word for "disciple" refers to the individual as an adherent who receives the teaching communicated to them and makes it their standard of conduct. What is the curricula then for this teaching?
Second Timothy 3:16 states that the result of the inspiration of Scripture is to make it "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." Teaching is a synonym for doctrine. It is undoubtedly mentioned first because a Christian's understanding (doctrine) must chronologically and logically precede practice of the Christian life. It is crucial to living the Christian life. Doctrine without practice is dangerous. However, practice without doctrine is deadly. We cannot isolate doctrine from the practical, which would cause both to suffer. Sound doctrine is essential. The remaining three ("reproof, correction, and training in righteousness") of the four profitable uses of the inspired ("God-breathed," as literal as though God had a physical body and spoke the words of Scripture through His mouth) Scripture are the corollary (i.e. the effect, the result) of sound doctrine. The desired result (verse 17) is "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." Paul commended Timothy because he continued in the things he learned, and internalized the learning (i.e. the learning became a part of his life). Timothy was committed to the sound doctrine he had learned from childhood.
The fundamental imperative of the Great Commission is to make disciples. The Greek indicates an imperative of command, which means literally "to make a disciple of, teach." Matthew 28:19 in the KJV reads "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." The word teach means literally to "make disciples" as in the NASB. The Greek word meaning "to make a disciple of, teach" is the only verb in the commission; therefore, it emphasizes the most important detail of the passage. The words go and baptize in verse 19 and the word teaching in verse 20 are all participles, which means they inform us how we are to make disciples, how we are to teach. Before one can become a disciple, he or she must first understand the Gospel, which is the need for evangelism and is certainly implied in the word go.
On a basic level, the Greek word translated as "disciple" means to believe another's doctrine. However, there is a much deeper meaning, which is not only to learn but also to commit oneself as the teacher's follower in both doctrine and lifestyle. Furthermore, the word for "disciple" refers to the individual as an adherent who receives the teaching communicated to them and makes it their standard of conduct. What is the curricula then for this teaching?
Second Timothy 3:16 states that the result of the inspiration of Scripture is to make it "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." Teaching is a synonym for doctrine. It is undoubtedly mentioned first because a Christian's understanding (doctrine) must chronologically and logically precede practice of the Christian life. It is crucial to living the Christian life. Doctrine without practice is dangerous. However, practice without doctrine is deadly. We cannot isolate doctrine from the practical, which would cause both to suffer. Sound doctrine is essential. The remaining three ("reproof, correction, and training in righteousness") of the four profitable uses of the inspired ("God-breathed," as literal as though God had a physical body and spoke the words of Scripture through His mouth) Scripture are the corollary (i.e. the effect, the result) of sound doctrine. The desired result (verse 17) is "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." Paul commended Timothy because he continued in the things he learned, and internalized the learning (i.e. the learning became a part of his life). Timothy was committed to the sound doctrine he had learned from childhood.
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