“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2)
PAUL INTRODUCES himself with the titles of herald, apostle, and teacher. He is a herald, for his duty is to proclaim the commands of the One he represents; an apostle, for he has been called, established, and sent by God; and a teacher, because he has to teach those for whom he has been appointed.
The story of Timothy and Titus, and the story of the chain of spiritual reproduction begun by the apostle and continued by Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos, and the believers of Achaia, show Paul’s theory of the gifts of the Spirit in practice, and illustrate what the apostle understands and lives in relation to the commission to make disciples. Paul was not a lonely evangelist, but the commander of a large and growing circle of missionaries.
Paul also understood that not only he, as an apostle, but all the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers had received the gifts God gave to the church. In addition, he understood that the purpose for which they had been sent was to equip, train, and discipline believers for the growth of the church and the fulfillment of the mission. These ministries were provided by God to prepare the people for the fulfillment of ministry: to be and to make more people of God.
For Paul, the mission aims not only to achieve conversions but also to make disciples, because the production of disciples who multiply is the only way to fulfill the great evangelical commission, since it clearly includes the idea of instructing and training teachers. Therefore, it is imperative to work to train individuals who will be capable of teaching others.
In Mark, discipleship means proclaiming the gospel as a herald. In Luke and Acts, you need a witness to testify of their encounter with Christ. John needs an envoy. The Father’s sending of the Son is unique. Only Christ could, with His own life and without sin, give His life for sinners. As a result of that, believers are incorporated as an extension and sent to the world.
In Matthew, Jesus uses the imperative verb to make disciples of all nations by going, teaching, baptizing, and training disciples . . . who would in turn generate more believers and more disciples.
«Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have»
(Billy Graham).
Making disciples is not an optional statement; it is the Lord’s imperative instruction.
Let us live as disciples to make more disciples!
