“Making Disciples” The Execution of the Great Commission

A quick reminder of the previous lesson- we established that: Perhaps all too often, we have at best an unclear vision of what we’re trying to accomplish in our religious discussions with others. We seek to win, or even to baptize or convert, rather than to “make disciples” as the Great Commission specifies.

Though obviously related, there is a difference…. between a baptized believer and a disciple. One becomes saved and may or may not stay that way, cf. 1Tim.1: The other becomes saved and continues to “observe all” that Jesus commands! And the latter concerns himself with making disciples of others! cf. John 15:8

We decided that if “making disciples” is our goal, then…. We ought to examine very carefully two key things in this regard: 1- the various accounts in the Gospels of the Great (or Apostle’s) Commission; & 2- the Execution of the Commission by the Apostles as recorded in Acts of the Apostles. While the command of the Commission is not ours specifically, if we desire to be “useful to the Master” (2Tim.2:21), we can/should learn much from the Order itself and its Execution.

We looked specifically at the Commission itself in our previous lesson. Now let’s give our attention to the Execution of the Commission as recorded in Acts. A couple things first need to be addressed: >The Apostles were “witnesses”, cf. Luke 24:48 and Acts 1:8. Furthermore, >They had to be “witnesses” of the resurrected Christ, Acts 1: >Many today misuse the term by applying it to themselves. We are not, and therefore cannot, witness to others. None today has seen the resurrected Christ!

Therefore, what we must do is…. make disciples by confronting the world with the eye-witness testimony of the Apostles regarding the resurrected Jesus! Note two passages in this connection: >John 17:20; and >John 20: As we learned previously, there is no authority in Jesus unless He was resurrected. Therefore, let’s note the emphasis given to that fact in the early preaching of the Apostles in their efforts to make disciples of all men.

The Preaching of a Resurrected (and thereby Authoritative) Jesus in Acts: 1:3,6 They were sure it was Him. 1:8 They were witness to the fact. 1:22 It was prerequisite to their office as Apostles. 2:24 “you nailed to a cross….God raised Him up” 2:29-36 Unlike David still in the tomb, Jesus was raised and at the right hand of God in heaven! What was the result of the Apostles’ initial efforts to make disciples beginning in Jerusalem? >>>2: Followers of Christ! But why?<<< Because those people were convinced that Jesus was the resurrected Son of God and therefore obeyed!

The Preaching of a Resurrected (and thereby Authoritative) Jesus in Acts: 3:15,21,22,26 God raised Him, heaven received Him, Moses predicted it, and it was for the Jew first. 4:1- 4 Sadducees were disturbed because the Apostles were “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” 4:5-12 Jewish rulers asked, “by what power?” The Apostle’s answer was, “God raised Him from the dead” and that there was therefore “salvation in no one else”! (see also v.20) >Again, what was the result of this kind of teaching?< Not just converts, but DISCIPLES, 4:32-33!

The Preaching of a Resurrected (and thereby Authoritative) Jesus in Acts: 5:17, God raised and exalted Him to bring repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. Of these things, the Apostles said they were witnesses, v.32! >>What was the result of their preaching this time?<< Note vv Why the different response to their preaching of the resurrected Jesus this time? Simple: Gamaliel may have been educated, respected, and titled, but he was no disciple! Nor did the rest of the Council desire to become such!

Take-Home Points: To be disciples who glorify the Lord, we need to “bear much fruit” by “making disciples” of those with whom we come in contact, John 15:8. To do so, we should carefully examine both the Command and Execution of the Great Commission, and understand very clearly its: >Authority- the resurrected Jesus >Scope- for everyone >Objective- to make disciples and>Means- the Gospel!

A Final Thought…. There are literally thousands of people in the world today who claim to be “Christians,” who haven’t the slightest notion of being a Disciple! Acts 11:26 says that “the disciples were called ‘Christians’ first at Antioch.” There are no real Christians who are not disciples! The rich young ruler was obviously an informed, moral, and principled man…. but he went away “grieved” because he was unwilling to become a disciple! Matt.19: Are You? Will you help others become so?