- Well my father taught us that we are Christians in a Christian family.
- As far as I can remember I have always been going to church.
- I was baptized as a baby.
- I went to Sunday school classes my whole life.
- My mom, dad and I sang in the choir.
- My dad was a deacon and served on the building commision for the church.
- Some of our friends was the church members.
- I was confirmed in the church and then I could take communion.
- Yes I had some vices like smoking, drinking, looking at stuff on the internet but “every” Christian is not perfect.
- I even invited Jesus into my heart twice.
- Jesus says in vers 19 to go and make disciples.
- So we know that a disciple = Christian. (Acts 11:25-26)
- So in essence Jesus is saying “go make Christians” of all nations.
- It is clear then that God wants all men to be Christians.
- But I want to focus on the word “Make”, make christians.
- According to the Oxford Dictionary the definition for make is:
- form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; create.
- cause (something) to exist or come about; bring about.
- So it is to form something to exist.
- So can I be a Christian by default? Disciples / Christian are not born, but they are made according to the Bible.
- Let me illustrate, say that you are a medical doctor by profession.
- Were you born a medical doctor?
- No you had to pass school first to get selected to study for a doctor if you mark were very good.
- Then you had to do 6 years of studying at University to pass your course.
- Then you had to do a year practical in a hospital to get some experience.
- Only then when the board approves you, you can be called a medical doctor.
- So you see you had to be made into a medical doctor.
- The same with becoming a Christian, you have to be made into one.
- Ok so first you get made into a disciple / christian!
- What does the Bible say should we do next.
- So further in vers 19 it says the disciples should be baptized, baptizing them.
- Who is the them, it is the guy you just made a disciple / chrisitan.
- Why must I be baptized after I become a disciple? Now that is a very good question I must say! Contact me to study that out.
- So I am just thinking I cannot make a baby into a disciple! Babies just “they just eat and poop and they cry” like Shrek said in the movie.
- So did Jesus say baptize babies or disciples / Christian, I think it is clear it is disciples / Christian; which you have to be first made into before getting baptized.
- Well lets get back to the scripture, vers 20 says I must “teach them to obey”.
- I found a nice illustration on Slideplayer.com.
- No, Jesus clearly says we need to teach them to obey.
- So I think we are very familiar with being taugh at school.
- Being taught to obey is a different kettle of fish.
- It means like Jesus walked with His disciples, it is a hands on training or an apprenticeship.
- It is like your kids growing up and you as a dad or mom teach them the ropes of life.
- I taught my daugter the other day to fasten her shoes, by tying her shoelaces.
- Was she born making her shoelaces? It is a bit ridiculous thinking that way, but that is how we sometimes think we became a Christian.
- So we need to teach the newly baptized disciple / christian to obey everything.
- That means we have to have a mentor in our lives every day to teach us the ropes.
- Find out what it really means to be a disciple which appears about +- 270 times in the BIble!
- The words baptism, baptisms, baptize, baptized, baptizest, baptizeth and baptizing appears altogether a 100 times in the Bible. Have you studied out all those verses?
- Feel free to contact me on Whatsapp +27 79 481 8989 to discuss the topic further.
Other Parts in this Series:
Part 1 : Am I deceived if I do not know the truth? – 2 Thes 2:9-11
Part 2 : Am I a child of God if I believe and accept him? – John 1:12
Part 9 – Am I saved when I was born a Christian into a Christian Family – Mat 28:18-20
Part 10 – If someone could speak from the grave, what would they say? – Luk 16:27-28
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