Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Activity without purpose is like a ship sailing through the ocean without a rudder.  Considering  all the varieties of work being done today in the name of the Great Commission, we  might conclude that we are all sailing in that very kind of ship.  What is our main purpose in the Great Commission?  Do our activities align with this purpose?

For some, the moment you mention the word “purpose” as it relates to any spiritual activity, the theme of “the glory of God” comes to the forefront.  However, while this is absolutely true, what is the specific purpose of the GC itself?  The Matthew 28 GC text is very helpful in understanding the answer to this question.

I.      THE PURPOSE OF THE GREAT COMMISSION:    “TEACH ALL NATIONS”

When you read the English translation of the Matthew 28 GC text, it seems that there are several imperatives set forth.  In reality, there is only one and the remaining verbs are participles related in some way to that central command.  This study sets forth that the main purpose of the Great Commission is found in that one imperative, “teach all nations.”  Whatever this means, this is our purpose.  This is what we must focus our efforts upon and what all activity must focused upon.  In this first section of this study, consider for a moment the meaning of this command.

1.     What does “teach all nations” mean? “to make disciples”

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Louw and Nida: “to cause someone to become a disciple or follower of - 'to make disciples, to cause people to become followers’

UBC New Testament Handbook Series: “The expression won many disciples frequently cannot be translated literally. The Greek itself simply means "cause to become disciples," and it is this form which can most generally be employed. The equivalent in many languages is simply "caused many people to believe in Jesus" or "caused many people to become followers of Jesus."

2.     What does “teach all nations” not mean? not “discipleship”

Without spending a lot of time on discussing this point, simply put, to “teach all nations” doesn’t mean “discipleship” as we use this term today, i.e. helping someone with the process of sanctification in their lives.

Does that mean that discipleship is not biblical?  Not at all!  We are clearly given the responsibility to assist others in their growth as Christ’s disciples, i.e. discipleship.  In fact, there are two aspects of discipleship seen in this text: 1. bringing new believers to the point of being baptized, 2. teaching them to observe all things that Christ has commanded.  But, we need to be careful to understand and accept the meaning of this word translated “teach all nations” as it is presented in the NT.  “Teach all nations” means to “make disciples of all nations,” not to “disciple the believers of all nations.”  

3.     Consider another text.  

In Acts 14:21, we find the same word from the Matthew text, “teach all nations.”  In Acts 14, we find both evangelism and the conversion of the lost in one verse.  First, the preaching of the Gospel, then the intended result – the making of disciples.

KJV: Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.

NKJV: Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.  

Summary:  The purpose of Great Commission is the making of disciples, i.e. the conversion of the lost.

We must preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark), we must preach repentance and remissions of sins in the name of Jesus Christ to all nations (Luke), we must do so in the power of the Spirit of God (John and Acts), and all of this work is to be done with this ultimate purpose – the conversion of the lost, i.e. the making of disciples.

II.     THREE ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES:         

1.      “Go”:  The means of reaching all nations.

While the assurance of the authority of Christ is necessary for all aspects of the Great Commission, if any one element could be selected as most dependent upon that authority, it would be that of “going” to all nations.

Consider the view of the nations of the world in respect to God and His Messiah:  Psalm 2:1-2 "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying…”

This same passage is what is quoted in the prayer of the early church in Acts 4:23-30 when confronted by the opposition of the religious leaders of that day.

2.     “baptizing”:  The initial testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.

It would be difficult to examine the whole subject of baptism at this point.  However, we should understand a few key observations about baptism from this text:

a.     Baptism is only for those who have become disciples of Christ.  Note that we are to baptize “them.”  That is, those who have been saved.  This is a “believer’s baptism.”

b.     The responsibility of baptizing new disciples belongs to those who brought those men and women to faith in Christ.  In other words, there is an immediate responsibility for the “proclaimer’ to become the “discipler” of this new believer.  One of the priorities in the early days and weeks of discipleship will be to help the new believer understand baptism, and to urge them to obedience in this area.

c.     Baptism is a “first” act for the new believer.  Notice that baptism is listed immediately following conversion, and prior to the continued teaching of the commands of Christ.  Although baptism usually took place immediately after conversion in the NT, often churches will take a period of time to teach through the meaning of baptism and to fully confirm the testimony of the intended baptisee.

d.     Baptism is an identification with the one true God and His only provision for salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ.  This is what could be understood by, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  In this way, baptism is a public testimony of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior.    

3.     “teaching”: The method of transformation of a disciple into the image of Christ.

The idea of “teaching” is quite simple, as found in Louw and Nida: “to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting.”  However, it is essential that we understand how critical instruction is to the entire process of sanctification.  Consider a few passages that highlight the necessity of the renewing of the mind in the accomplishment of this process.  And, understand that this renewal is through the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:9-10 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

SUMMARY OF THE MATTHEW 28 GC TEXT:

1.   Make Disciples:        

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations”

Meaning: "teach" = make disciples of, i.e. the conversion of the lost.

2.   Disciple Disciples:   “baptizing” and “teaching”

“baptizing” - a one time act of obedience giving public testimony of faith in Christ

“teaching” - a continual act of growth, i.e. the process of sanctification

THREE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

1.  The Great Commission is not simply a command to preach the Gospel, although that is the central activity.  The purpose of the Great Commission is to make disciples; this is the intended result, i.e. the salvation of the lost.

2.  The “one-command-three-participle” relationship demonstrates that the salvation of the lost (the making of disciples) and discipleship (the maturing of disciples) are inseparable.  Therefore, discipleship of believers is part of GC accomplishment.   

3.  Neglect to disciple a disciple is a failure to carry out the Great Commission.