The Full Gospel Makes Disciples, Not Just Converts
The Full Gospel of the Kingdom - Part 9
The message of salvation produces converts. But the full Gospel makes disciples!
“When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”—Acts 14:21-22 (ESV)
If we limit the gospel to only the message of salvation, that may produce converts, but the full Gospel that Jesus preached produces disciples.
Jesus never instructed his followers to make converts. He commanded us to make disciples!
“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, 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 28:19-20 (AMP)
Salvation is only the beginning of our journey with God! The Gospel is not only about becoming a child of God; it is also about living the rest of our lives as devoted servants of God.
After we receive Jesus Christ into our lives as our Savior, it is important for us to continue following Jesus and growing in spiritual maturity, so that we are firmly rooted and established in Christian faith.
“Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined.”—1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (ISV)
“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”—Philippians 1:27 (NASB)
God’s will is for us to grow into spiritual maturity. He will give us grace to enable us to do this.
“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”—Philippians 1:6 (AMPC)
“And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things, yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach—[and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister.”—Colossians 1:21-23 (AMP)
“Now to Him who is able to establish and strengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ . . . ”—Romans 16:25 (AMP)
If the Gospel was only about salvation, Paul would have only needed to encounter people one time, lead them to salvation, and then be on his way. But he revisited the churches as much as he was able, sharing with them the full teachings of the Kingdom of God.
Before saying goodbye to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Paul declared, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27 ESV).
“And when they had come to him, he said to them: ‘You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.’”—Acts 20:18-25 (NKJV)
Paul did not repeat the message of salvation to people over and over again. After they had confessed faith in Jesus Christ, he urged the believers to move beyond the basics and grow to become mature men and women of God. This is all part of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”—Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV)
Paul was never satisfied until he saw mature disciples as the fruit of his ministry.
“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”—2 Corinthians 11:2 (ESV)
“For God is my witness how I long for and pursue you all with love, in the tender mercy of Christ Jesus [Himself]!
“And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment],
“So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].
“May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].”—Philippians 1:8-11 (AMPC)
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