Verse of the Day (September 5, 2020) #BMSeminary – Jesus’ disciples (v. 16) are now commissioned to make disciples in all people groups (v. 19). Matthew has shown throughout his Gospel that the kingdom of God crosses all social boundaries (1:3, 5; 2:1–12; 4:15; 8:1–13; 9:9–13; 12:38–42; 15:21–39), so it is not surprising that Jesus sends his disciples to “all nations.” Jesus’ royal authority extends to the whole universe, and the disciples, through their disciple making, are to extend Jesus’ authority everywhere (see also Rom. 15:8–15; Eph. 2:11–22; 3:7–10; Rev. 5:6–14; 7:9–12; 21:23–26). Disciple making involves two basic tasks: baptizing and teaching. Baptizing includes the proclamation of the gospel of God’s kingdom and the call to repentance from sin and faith in Christ (Matt. 3:6, 11). Water baptism symbolizes the inward cleansing that God effects when people turn from their sins and turn in faith to God for forgiveness of their sins in Christ (3:14–15; see also Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:21). “Teaching” involves instructing people to follow Jesus’ commandments concerning how God wants his people to live, commandments such as he gives in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1–7:29; see also Rom. 6:17–18). The order of these two elements of discipleship is important. People do not become disciples of Jesus by obeying his commandments in order to win his acceptance. They have his acceptance as a free gift, if they come to him in faith (Rom. 3:21–22, 24; 5:1–2). Jesus’ disciples joyfully do what Jesus has commanded them to do as a result of God’s transformation of their hearts through the proclamation of the gospel (Rom. 6:12–14). [Gospel Transformation Study Bible]
Verse of the Day (September 5, 2020) #BMSeminary – Jesus’ disciples (v. 16) are now commissioned to make disciples in all people groups (v. 19). Matthew has shown throughout his Gospel that the kingdom of God crosses all social boundaries (1:3, 5; 2:1–12; 4:15; 8:1–13; 9:9–13; 12:38–42; 15:21–39), so it is not surprising that Jesus sends his disciples to “all nations.” Jesus’ royal authority extends to the whole universe, and the disciples, through their disciple making, are to extend Jesus’ authority everywhere (see also Rom. 15:8–15; Eph. 2:11–22; 3:7–10; Rev. 5:6–14; 7:9–12; 21:23–26). Disciple making involves two basic tasks: baptizing and teaching. Baptizing includes the proclamation of the gospel of God’s kingdom and the call to repentance from sin and faith in Christ (Matt. 3:6, 11). Water baptism symbolizes the inward cleansing that God effects when people turn from their sins and turn in faith to God for forgiveness of their sins in Christ (3:14–15; see also Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:21). “Teaching” involves instructing people to follow Jesus’ commandments concerning how God wants his people to live, commandments such as he gives in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1–7:29; see also Rom. 6:17–18). The order of these two elements of discipleship is important. People do not become disciples of Jesus by obeying his commandments in order to win his acceptance. They have his acceptance as a free gift, if they come to him in faith (Rom. 3:21–22, 24; 5:1–2). Jesus’ disciples joyfully do what Jesus has commanded them to do as a result of God’s transformation of their hearts through the proclamation of the gospel (Rom. 6:12–14). [Gospel Transformation Study Bible]
Baptist Ministerial Seminary 