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We have been given a mission from our Master Jesus. The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). The only command in the entire Great Commission is “make disciples” (“teach all nations”). Jesus said, “While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.” No matter where we are, we should be witnesses for Jesus the Messiah and seek to win others to Him.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19–20

The term “disciples” was the most popular name for the early believers. Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church member. Apprentice might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him. He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing. Our Master called twelve disciples and taught them so that they might be able to teach others.

A disciple, then, is one who has believed on Jesus the Messiah and expressed this faith by being baptized. He remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith. He is then able to go out and win others and teach them. This was the pattern of the New Testament church.

In many respects, we have departed from this pattern. In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators.

  • The “converts” are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators.
  • How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer.
  • The only way a local church can “be fruitful and multiply” (instead of growing by “additions”) is with a systematic discipleship program.
  • This is the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been “called to go.”

Jesus had opened the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures. They knew what He wanted them to teach to their own converts. It is not enough to win people to the Savior; we must also teach them the Word of God. This is also a part of the Great Commission.

  • Acts 2:41–42 — 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
  • Acts 14:15 — 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the good news to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
  • Acts 16:14–15 — 14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Master opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Master, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
  • Acts 18:8 — 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Master with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.
  • Romans 10:14–15 — 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
  • 1 John 1:2–3  — 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus the Messiah.