One of the members of our BiVo Network asked me to write a little more about the questions. Who can baptize? Can any believer in good standing baptize another believer? Or is baptism reserved for only the ordained ministers?
From Matt 28:18-20, I believe Jesus gave the first disciples the great commission. They were expected to make disciples and teach those new disciples to do ALL the things that Jesus commanded them to do.
That means if the command to make disciples is for everyone, the command to baptize is also for everyone. Although the people we see in the Bible performing baptisms were apostles and evangelists (Philip), we do not read anywhere in Acts of the apostles that it was reserved for these people only.
What we see actually is that Paul clearly stated in 1 Cor 1:14, that he did not baptize many of the Corinthians. Although many Corinthians believed (Acts 18:8), Paul did not baptize them. He must have delegated that responsibility to some of the brothers that were with him.
So can we just baptize anyone indiscriminately?
No. All we need to do, however, is to ensure that we are operating in unity with a local body of believers. If you are functioning in a body of believers (church), then you can represent that body to baptize a new believer in the presence of witnesses. Then you promptly report the good news to the church. That is how I believe it was done in the early church and it is how I believe the scripture teaches us to do it.
If you are part of a local assembly, there are elders or pastors called to serve you. These leaders like Paul will delegate the authority to baptize other new believers to you and you are ready!
So dear brother and sister you are a BiVo Minister, trust God that as you live your life as a disciple, find people of peace, start discovery groups, you will soon have an opportunity to baptize some new believers while your brothers and sisters celebrate with you.
One question that comes up often when talking about making disciples is this. How do I disciple another person effectively?
I would not pretend to have all the answers to this question. However, I would like to suggest a few points that would help you to disciple another person effectively!
Let’s start by asking another question. How did Jesus disciple the apostles? (Mark 3:14-19)
Jesus called 12 men.
They stayed with Him and observed Him as much as they heard His teachings.
The were sent to do what Jesus did (preach, meet needs by destroying the works of the devil).
They were not perfect – they all denied and deserted him at the last minute.
One of them betrayed Him.
What was the result of Jesus’ Method?
Although they all deserted Him, they were restored and they continued the work.
They were accused of turning the world upside down
We still have hundreds of millions of disciples today over 2000 years after.
Following the example of Jesus, how do you disciple someone effectively?
Disciple people in small groups (3-12)
Baptize them (make sure you are water baptized) (Matt 28:16-20)
Let the disciples see you and watch you as you follow Jesus.
Show them how to read, understand and obey Jesus from scriptures. (You can use the DBS method).
Give them a lot of opportunities to practice what you are doing and teaching. That is listening to and obeying Jesus. (Luke 10, Matthew 10).
Let them start making efforts to disciple others as soon as they have started following Jesus. Remember that one of the main instructions of Jesus is to make disciples. (Matt 28:16-20)
Let Love be evident in you and show the disciples that Love is the greatest commandment. (Luke 10:25-28)
Is this for Pastors only?
I know you are wondering if this article is for pastors only.
No! It’s for all disciples. You baptize new believers. You show them how you obey God’s instructions from scriptures and in your spirit. You work with groups instead of individuals. You train and expect them to do the same things that you are doing.
I have a few reasons why Jesus may have worked with a group. There may be some more. If you think of more please add them to the comments section below.
When working with a group, you can still deal with individual issues from time to time.
Working with a group makes it possible for the members of the group to challenge and encourage one another.
working with a group protects you because there are always witnesses to what is going on.
If a person is thinking in a way that is very different from the group, they can easily see it.
When some are weak, the other members of the group can strengthen them.
When you are no longer around them as much, they can remind one another about what you have shown and taught them.
As a pastor I have a lot of experience with this. There are things I hear the church family members who were around us when we first started to actively make disciples say that makes my spirit dance for joy.
It’s amazing these days to just watch people share the life of Christ with others. We have even begun to see the children share some of the truth that they have learned. It’s such a joy!
So how do you begin the process of discipling a group of people?
The first step usually is to be a good disciple yourself. Make Jesus and his mission your priority and then have a simple but consistent disciple-making routine.
As you spread the love of Jesus to everyone around you and speak affectionately and passionately about Jesus, you will soon find people who are interested in know Him. You then lead them to Jesus through a discovery bible study in what we call a Discovery Group.
Thats how the group starts and thats how you begin the process of discipling someone effectively.
I started my first group in 2001 in Montreal Canada among university students. These students are now married (some married each other) and they are making disciples for Jesus today. At that time I did not know about the Discovery Bible Study. Regardless we used what we had and the Lord blessed our work.
As a disciple of Jesus, you may have tried to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with someone and they got offended!
How did you feel?
Maybe you felt like you failed! “I said too much”, “I did not say enough”. “I should have said that”…. All these thoughts float around in your head!
Then you find it challenging to speak to another person. In some cases you get some negative push back from the person and other people in the office or community.
I have been in these situations a couple of times and here are 3 thoughts I have for you.
Expect rejection and persecution
A lot of people will reject your message for different reasons. Although you and I have the best message in the world, some would still say no. It may be because they don’t know you enough. It may be because they are not ready. It may be any reason. Don’t worry too much about the reason just expect some rejection and some persecution because Jesus got rejected and persecuted and you are representing Jesus (Luke 10:16).
Expect God to touch some of those who reject the gospel!
If you are like me, I like the truth that we are called by God to reap the harvest. We are to find people who are ready and lead them to Jesus! However, the process of finding the people of peace who are ready involves sharing your love for God with everyone that God places around you to so that you can determine those who are ready.
Some of those who reject at first later become the most prolific disciples in terms of making other disciples. Think about Paul the apostle. (Gal 1:13)
Think of a process instead of a decision.
For years I thought that the fruit of a day out in the community sharing the good news was decisions made. And we got some decisions but only a fraction of those people remained in the faith.
A better way is to plan and pray that you find a person who will receive the message of the Kingdom of God and open up his or her family to the same message and you stay with that one as you meet them over a period of reading scriptures with them to discover God for themselves. So you take them through a process while building a relationship so that when they commit to Jesus, it is solid, and they are fully aware of what they are doing. (Luke 10: 1-16)
With this process, rejection is less because you are building relationships as well as sharing the good news of the kingdom! Many times you can continue to build the relationship even when the person rejects the scriptures at first! Read the story of Nora!
When you go out this week, look for people who will be willing to explore scriptures with you in a Discovery Bible Study. Whether they say yes or no, still go-ahead to explore building a relationship if they are open.
Who is the real you? The one we all see outside or the one only you and God know?
The correct answer I thinks is both!
The external you is a reflection of the internal you. If you work on the internal you, the external you would be transformed automatically!
If you work however on the external you, only more frustration, shame, fear, doubt and confusion results!
This is why it is important to start your prayers by acknowledging the greatness of God and confessing to Him our failures so that we can be forgiven and transformed. 1 John 1:9-10.
When sin and personal ambitions are removed from our hearts, we get answers to our prayers!
Think of it. If you are asking for what God wants, why would He not answer?
But if you are asking for what God wants but you are asking so that you look like a successful minister, what would a loving Heavenly Father do?
So as you seek to be a disciple maker, talk to your Heavenly Father about your inner thoughts and ambitions. Remember the people that have offended you! Do not waste time praying for other things without genuinely desiring to stop all known sins and personal ambitions.
Spend as much time as you need asking the Lord to take over the seat of your life and thoughts.
You will get more results from prayer when your heart is truly seeking the Glory of God.
Recently I found myself seeking for more people to attend a meeting but then I could also sense a subtle but real desire for me not to be a failure behind that desire.
It doesn’t matter if you are seen as a failure or not. What must be topmost in your heart is that the will of God (salvation) be done!
As you pray this week. Let the Holy Spirit show you your heart and your motives. Then ask God for grace! Receive grace to let go of those thoughts and choose to live only for the glory of God.
When you go out to look for a person of peace what exactly do you say?
This is a question that I guess is on your mind and that of many other people who are new to disciple making by looking for a person of peace.
It is a good question and I would give you 2 types of answers!
The first one is this! You would need to trust God to give you the right words. But the words don’t matter as much as you think because God has prepared the people long before you decided to go out to find them.
In one story, the non-believer had dreams of the disciple-maker. So when the two of them met, the conversation unfolded naturally.
So if you pray and go out consistently, you will find that the words to say will flow spiritually!
That being said, you would need a reason to be in the community! Here are a few reasons that I have used and other people have used that I have read about.
We are praying for people in the neighborhood would you like us to pray with you?
We are part of a church in the neighborhood and we would like to know how the church can be of help. Would you like to share your thoughts with us?
We are going around this neighborhood looking for young people who need to learn a skill we would teach them how to use computers (we used this in areas where there were many young people without jobs). We had some good connections. With this method, you will need to tell the people that show interest that you are disciples of Jesus.
We are in the neighborhood showing people how to improve their relationship with God. Would you like us to show you how?
Whatever the reason you use, make sure you confirm with the Holy Spirit and look out for people who open up to you after you make it clear that you are disciples of Jesus!
These methods are good in places where there is religious freedom. You will need to be more discreet in places where the people are hostile to the disciples of Jesus!
What reasons have you used in the past? Please share in the comment section below.
Jesus told his disciples to look for a person of peace when he sent them out in Luke 10:6.
It is wise to use the same method when going out to make disciples. This is even more relevant when you are trying to reach out to a community that you are not living in.
Here are a few characteristics of the person of peace according to this scripture.
A person of peace;
welcomes you or shows interest in communicating with you.
is willing to help you in some way or the other.
Is hospitable to you – offers you some kind of food, drink or a place to stay or sit. If it’s in the workplace, the person of peace tries to help you to settle into the workplace.
Listens to what you have to say.
is willing to let you speak to the people around them (family, friends etc).
accepts your prayers and is grateful for them.
asks genuine questions about spiritual truth
The first test is the welcome test. When you greet them or say peace be unto this house. The one that shows interest and welcomes you is a potential person of peace.
When I go out with a group to knock on doors, usually we would find one or two who would ask us to come in and sit down.
You then proceed to say what you have come to do.
I will share some ideas with you in my next post of things that you can use as an entrance into a community.
When you approach disciple making with the mindset of a recruiter your results will be very different! And even more importantly you will be happy to recruit all the time and anywhere.
For many years when I went out for “evangelism” I only thought about winning people for Jesus. I wanted as many people as possible to know and experience the love of Jesus. I did not think as if I was recruiting them as disciples (disciple-makers) for Jesus.
So I preached the gospel of the kingdom of God to them. I shared with them that Jesus is the way. I expected them to give their lives to Jesus and begin to enjoy eternal life. Some did and even among those that did, some drew back.
What I did not do was think like a recruiter.
After I was introduced to the disciple making movements that were baptizing millions of disciples all over the world it became so clear to me that thinking like a recruiter makes a big difference.
Remember that Jesus approached disciple-making like a recruiter. He called people to follow him so that they can replicate His ministry. (Matt 4:19)
Thinking like a recruiter means that:
You are thinking of both the disciple and Jesus.
You clearly articulate the truth that Jesus is calling them to follow Him and to join Him to make disciples.
You immediately start training people to reach out to their contacts and circle of influence.
You make sure that the people are truly interested in following Jesus.
You present the people to Jesus and let Jesus convict them and confirm them.
You immediately teach them how to listen to Jesus and to obey him.
You try as much as possible to show the new disciple that with the power of Jesus, they can do what you are doing.
You even tell them about the challenges that they may face without the fear that they would draw back. Jesus did this a lot. (Luke 18:22).
You take them through a process and even when they say the “salvation prayer” and get water baptized immediately, you let them know that it’s just the beginning.
When you think like a recruiter, the disciples you make have a much greater chance of remaining in the faith because from before their conversion, they knew that they would become sold out to Jesus! They would need to take on a new life. (Matt 13:44-45).
The difference is internal but it makes a big difference. When I am hiring workers, I never try to convince people to like the job offer, I look for people who have been praying for such a position, then check if they are qualified for the job.
When you go out with a recruiter mindset to look for disciples for Jesus, you find them. Sometimes they are the people you least expect but you find them! There are many all around you.
As you go out today, look out for potential disciples that the Lord will send to you!
I recently came across this way of helping people connect with the Bible and with God called the Discovery Bible Study. Here are a few reasons why I like it and use it daily with my family.
It can be done with anyone who is interested in learning about God from the Bible
It makes the Bible the focus of the study and not a teacher of the Bible
Almost anyone can facilitate the study
It can be used to disciple people who are interested in following Jesus but are yet to make a commitment.
It helps the new disciples to learn 3 important habits very early: Love for one another, obedience to Jesus and sharing the gospel.
A missionary can train a person of peace to do it with his or her household.
It is a great way to lead groups to Jesus!
Have you tried the Discovery Bible Study? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
When I first learned about people of peace in the context of disciple making, I felt that a light bulb went on in my spirit. It was a big aha moment for me. Thanks Peggy for drawing my attention to this.
The concept of the “man of peace” is taken from Jesus instructions to His disciples in Luke 10.
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10:5-6 ESV
Here is how I interpret this!
When you go out to share the good news of the Kingdom of God, you should look for people who are open to the message and to you as a messenger and disciple of Jesus. They welcome you as a person, they are happy for you to meet their family or friends even though they know that you are a disciple of Jesus.
When you for find these people, stay with them (have regular meetings with them), help them discover Jesus and show them how to become disciples of Jesus. Baptize them and their family and coach them to share what they are learning with other people.
The key is this! You spend most of your time with people who are open, and then coach them to do the same. That way as an outsider or missionary you can move on to other communities after some months or one or two years in a region.
Those who are not open today may become open tomorrow!
I desire a world where everyone would love like Jesus and live like Jesus!
Do you know the people who live around you? Do you know their names? Do you know their phone numbers? How many children do they have?
If you are operating in the culture of the kingdom of God, you would know why I am asking this questions. As disciples of Jesus, we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The first people to enjoy our light and seasonings are the people that live close to us.
If you don’t know their names then I’m sure you have not introduced them to Jesus your Lord and Savior.
So here is a new challenge for you! Get to know the names and phone numbers of the people who live around you.
Not all neighbours are friendly. I remember we had a neighbour about 15 years ago. We said hello to him every time we saw him. I think we did that about once or twice every month. We lived in an apartment building then and lived on a different floor but his parking space was next ours. This man never bothered to respond our greetings for at least one year. Then one day he responded because we did not give up.
Let’s not get discouraged because your neighbor doesn’t want to know you. Continue to reach out in love.
Be the light.
“”You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 ESV
