Mathew 28: 19 (New International Version, 2011) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” is among the most read Bible verses. It holds some fundamental aspects for all Christians. The following is an analysis of the verse from a historical perspective, and its application.
Historians and theologians claim that the gospel according St. Mathew dates back to between A.D. 50 and A.D. 70. Although some disagree whether it was the first gospel crediting that to Mark, some tend to hold Mathew as the first one. It is the first of the three synoptic gospels of the Bible. There is no doubt that the author was Mathew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (Matt Slick, n.d).
Since Mathew the author was a Jew and tends to give clear accounts of some of the works of Jesus, it is evident that he was mostly located in Antioch, Syria. However, he ignored the history of Jesus or even the Jewish culture but mentions the Father of the Jews-Abraham. Mathew is among the most respected authors of the Bible. He gave accounts of the works of Jesus Christ on first-hand accounts. As a result, he is credited to be the first author of the gospels, albeit the controversy mentioned earlier.
The inspiration of the verse comes from the command of Jesus Christ. During this time, the eleven disciples (Judas Iscariot had ceased from being a disciple) were in Galilee where they went to meet Jesus after his resurrection. Although some of the disciples doubted his presence, he (Jesus) commissioned them by stating the following. “Go and make disciple of all nations.” Such emphasizes the duty of the followers after what Jesus taught them. Jesus asserted that he had all the authority both on land and in heaven (Mathew 28:18) to commission them to convert the nations (includes other regions apart from the Jewish ones-Gentiles). That would ensure a succession of the disciple.
Further, Jesus appeals the baptism of the converts in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was emphasizing the role of the Holy Trinity as the basis upon which the Christian ought to base their faith. He was also pointing out his express authority over the earth and the heaven and his duty to make sure that all the nations get liberated from the original sin.
This verse aimed at reaching everyone who converts to Christianity. Accepting to follow Jesus’ teachings comes with the duty of reaching out to others. Any new convert ought to go out to all nations, declaring his or her faith in order to win the souls to Jesus. From this approaches, the Kingdom of God would spread all over the world ((Mathew 28:19 Expository (English Bible), n.d)). Baptism in the current churches is a critical ritual to all new converts. Without baptism, one cannot purport to be a full convert to Christianity.
Although the concept of baptism might have changed by way of practice, the fundamental functions remain the same. Some use a little water over the head of the converts while other use rivers or lakes, etc. for full submerges. However, all must declare the baptism using the words “In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Works cited
“Mathew 28:19 Expository (English Bible).” Web. N.P..N.d. Accessed28 April 2015 from <http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/28-19.htm>
Matt Slick. When were the Gospels written and by whom? Web. N.P. .N.d. Accessed 28 April 2015 from <https://carm.org/when-were-gospels-written-and-by-whom>
The New International Version. 2011. Biblica, Inc. Web. Accessed on 28 April 2015 from <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:19>
