AN APPRENTICE

In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus gave the famous commission to his disciples: “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Go and make disciples is sometimes translated, “go and make apprentices” so we can more clearly see what Jesus is asking of us. An apprentice is someone that works directly beside/under an experienced person to learn to do what they do and how they do it. A disciple is defined as a follower or student of a teacher or leader to learn to do what they do and how they do it.
They have closely the same definition.

Where this all gets tricky is the next line. Baptize them in the Triune name… OK, we did that. Now, ‘teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you. This is where I think we are off the rails a good bit. What did Jesus teach them to do?

In Matthew 10: “Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” (10:7-8) And Mark gives the ‘great commission,’ “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new tongues. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
(Mark 16:15-18) Just seems like most of our apprentice programs are selective in what Jesus actually taught.

“I will be with until the end of the age.” Jesus