“Make Them My Disciples Through Baptism, Preaching And Teaching!”

“Make Them My Disciples Through Baptism, Preaching And Teaching!”(Mt.28:16-20).
Matthew opens his gospel introducing us to the threefold ministry of Jesus:“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the goodnews of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people”(Mt.4:23).
The gospel ends with what has come to be called, “The Great Commission.” Meeting with the eleven disciples for the last time, the risen Lord Jesus Christ used the authority that had been given to him to order them: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We may say healing is lacking in the Great Commission, but it is essential to note that preaching which teaches, effects healing to the soul.
Perhaps we miss the point when we consider the opening of schools as a continuation of the teaching ministry. According to the command of the risen Lord disciples are made through baptism in the name of the Triune God. This is accompanied by preaching and teaching the converts all that the Lord has commanded.
When I started work in Etoug-Ebe(later moved to Nsimeyong) in the then Mungo presbytery, our Presbyterial Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Elangwe I.S. told me: “George, for now we just have to bring in the lost sheep (anglophones) who had been out of the fold for long. After we have brought them in, we can begin to consolidate by continuing with the teaching ministry.” And that is how one time we went to Hevecam and did mass baptism and readmission. We just have to bring them in first, but not to end there. After bringing them in, teaching must follow.
Experience shows that this has been a common evangelistic strategy. But unfortunately most times, we fail to consolidate with the teaching.
When we ignore or take lightly the teaching ministry, the result will be a Christianity without Christ. The moral crises and scandals of corruption and despotic tendencies rocking the Church of Christ worldwide are telltales of how much the teaching ministry.has been undermined.
Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom. By commissioning us to preach, he doesn’t expect us to preach any other message than the good news that ushers his followers into the kingdom.
We have also the task of teaching believers to obey all the commands of Christ. When we deviate from this and emphasis on denominationalism for any reason, we may end up drawing all wo/men unto ourselves and not unto him.
My friend, the text says, Jesus commissioned the eleven disciples to go and make disciples. This implies that whoever has been made a disciple by a disciple should go out and make disciples of yet-to-be disciples. We are not going to be saved alone!
Prayer: Holy Spirit inspire me to obey God’s commands, and to make disciples of others through preaching and teaching of your word. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.