Jesus Calls Us to Teach All Nations, not Make Disciples

"19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)

There is a contention in Christendom over discipleship.

The truth is that we are called to sonship, more than mere "discipleship."

Yes, there is teaching, there is training, there is transforming.

All of this springs from our becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We receive the adoption of sons, we become children, sons of God, and He is our ABBA! (Romans 8:15)

Jesus did not come to be our teacher. He is our Savior.

He continues to be our Savior, the mercy seat for our sins (1 John 2:2), whose blood cleanses all our sins (1 John 1:7)

We are not called to be his fans, to be his followers.

We are invited to join His Family:

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

Jesus is the Firstborn, and we are his many brethren.

Jesus did not call for us to make disciples before He ascended into heaven. He called for us to "disciple", to teach others.

We need to teach the world that their sins are forgiven.

We need to teach them that they receive life in Christ Jesus.

We need to teach them that we are now sons of the Living God, those who believe on Jesus (John 1:12).

This is what the Great Commission is all about!

Furthermore, how does one directly "disciple" another?

By baptizing him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There is no greater "Teaching" than to be baptized in Christ Jesus, taken from sin and death, to righteousness and eternal life!