I’ve been studying ecclesiology (“the nature of Christ’s church”) in theology class the past few weeks. We were looking at The Great Commission and talking about some distinctions that often go over-looked.
The disciples are told to do one thing, with three things that encompass the one thing. Matthew 28:19-20:
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.
We are to make disciples by going, baptizing and teaching.
My prof made the distinction that everything a church should be about is within this one verse, with the goal of making disciples. Often we over-emphasize the 3 actions instead of the 1 command.
I think there is a role for big evangelistic events but too often we view these as the end all of “saving souls.” If the evangelism doesn’t lead to baptism and teaching then it is pointless in itself, because it will not make disciples on its own.
