Go and make disciples

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Wow! Our mandate is to go and make disciples! So evangelism is more than just leading people to Christ—it is the first step in making disciples. Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples”, not just converts. True evangelism leads to discipleship, ensuring that new believers grow in faith and become active members of the Church. The early Church didn’t just preach the gospel and leave people to figure out their faith alone. They nurtured and taught them, just as Jesus instructed the Gerasene demoniac to share his testimony (Mark 5:19–20) and as Philip guided the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36–39). Without discipleship, believers remain spiritually weak and vulnerable.

Many Christians misunderstand evangelism. Some think that living a good life is enough, but the gospel must be verbally proclaimed. The Bible says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14. Others believe evangelism ends at conversion, it isn’t simply getting people to say the sinner’s prayer or make a decision for Christ; Jesus calls us to teach and disciple new believers (Matthew 28:20). Many assume that only pastors should evangelise, but every believer is called to share the gospel (Acts 1:8). There is also the misconception that church activities alone count as evangelism, but true evangelism involves actively sharing Christ. Some assume that inviting someone to church, hosting an event, or doing good deeds is equivalent to evangelism. While these activities support evangelism, they are not substitutes for sharing the gospel and making disciple. Evangelism specifically involves proclaiming Christ and calling people to repentance and faith (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19).

To follow the biblical model of evangelism, we must preach Christ as the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12). We must be intentional in our efforts and led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, John 4:4–26). Our methods must adapt to different audiences (Acts 17:22–34), and we must speak the truth in love (John 4:17–18). Most importantly, we must ensure that new believers are discipled and grow in Christ (Matthew 28:19–20).

Evangelism is only the beginning. To fulfil the Great Commission, we must disciple new believers, helping them grow in Christ and equipping them to share their faith. Let us commit to not just making converts, but making disciples!

Reated topic: Discipling others like Christ