16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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.” (Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV)
What are the major components of the Lord’s Great Commission to His disciples? What right does Jesus have to command His followers to obey this commission? What promise is included in this commission? These questions are to be considered and answered in the next several days.
To begin with, what right did Jesus have to give a commission in the first place? Jesus provided the answer when He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus then said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” To make disciples is not only for believers in Christ to urge the unconverted to become followers of Jesus. It also involves mature disciples instructing and teaching the recently converted in their new-found faith in Christ (Matt. 13:51-52). Jesus’ next statement was, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Lord continued this commission to His disciples with the following statement: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
“Being an evangelist is more than just telling people about Jesus; it requires that we become teachers of the gospel.” – Victor Hugo Cruz
Teaching (διδάσκω; didasko) means to presently, actively and skillfully instruct believers in Christ of the doctrines contained in the Scriptures. Consider the following biblical texts concerning not only the importance of, but also the responsibility, to faithfully teach God’s Word.
Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (ESV) – “6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
2 Timothy 1:8–11 (ESV) – “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) – “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 4:1–5 (ESV) – “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
James 3:1 (ESV) – “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
“This word (teaching) refers to a person who functions in an official teaching or preaching capacity (cf. Luke 4:16–27; John 3:10; Acts 13:14–15; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).The word translated “judged” usually expresses a negative verdict in the NT, and here refers to a future judgment: (1) for the unbelieving false teacher, at the second coming (Jude 14–15); and (2) for the believer, when he is rewarded before Christ (1 Cor. 4:3–5). This is not meant to discourage true teachers, but to warn the prospective teacher of the role’s seriousness (cf. Ezek. 3:17–18; 33:7–9; Acts 20:26–27; Heb. 13:17),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
The purpose of teaching God’s Word is so God’s people will obey God’s Word. To observe (τηρέω; tereo) means to presently, actively and fervently guard and keep watch over God’s Word regarding what it says, what it means and how it may be applied in our lives. This is so the church of God will guard their hearts with the Word of God because of the faithful teaching preaching by the man of God.
It is imperative for believers in Christ to be joined to a local church where the preaching and teaching of God’s Word is faithfully observed. I belong to such a local church. Do you?
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 