The familiar passage of scripture known among believers as The Great Commission says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20/ KJV).
This scripture text not only reveals our commission to evangelize the lost through teaching them the plan of Salvation (being Born Again: John 3:1-7, Luke 24:44-48, Acts 2:38); it also reveals the responsibility of the church to disciple the converts after conversion!
The process is clear and simple:
teach | baptize | teach
I had the opportunity two weeks ago to teach Celeste a Bible Study which explained in detail what the Bible says about being saved. It was the first "teach" found in Matthew 28:19. We talked about repentance, being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4). The teaching was basic but Biblical, and let me just go ahead and remind those who might be wondering that the Word still works!
Then last Wednesday night, September 24th, I had the opportunity to "baptize" Celeste in the only "name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" - JESUS! (Acts 4:12)
The responsibility of the church did not end at merely teaching and baptizing (conversion), the Great Commission also included a second set of "teaching" instructions which would happen after conversion. This "teaching" is what we call Discipleship. Celeste is currently being discipled by the Moreno family in our church.
It's been said that the Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time, and I would like to add that the Great Commission will only work if we follow the whole process...
teach | baptize | teach
