In the Greek language, the word "baptize" takes on a fascinating range of meanings, from a short-term "to dip" to a more extended "to dye" as in coloring clothing. But the truest sense of its meaning lies within the context of the verse.
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Within the New Testament, baptize or baptism can mean to dip (short-term) or to dye, as in clothing (long-term). 

Within the context of the long-term process of making a disciple, it appears that the 'baptizing' we find in Matthew 28:19 should be interpreted on the longer-term end of the scale. 

An example of this can be found within Greek literature and has to do with pickling a vegetable. Pickling involves the immersion – baptism- into an agent that permanently changes the vegetable. What was once a cucumber is now a pickle. 

This is the essence of Baptizing when it comes to making a disciple. The agent of change is the 'reality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.' 

When we immerse an individual in the long-term process of becoming a disciple, the result is a permanent change that cannot be undone. 
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Join us in this lesson as we explore the profound meaning of the word Baptizing in the context of making a disciple.

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​In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to make disciples. But what exactly is a disciple? What was Jesus envisioning when He gave us this command? How did discipleship take shape within the unique context of the first-century world in which Jesus lived?

In this lesson, we will delve into the essence of discipleship and uncover what it meant to be a disciple within the framework of the first-century Rabbi-disciple model.  

The answer will likely surprise you. 

During the first century, individuals typically embarked on their journey as disciples around the age of fifteen. By the age of thirty, they often ascended to the esteemed position of a Rabbi and began making their own disciples. It's worth noting that according to Luke, Jesus commenced His ministry at thirty. 

Consequently, this would mean that the disciples who walked alongside Him were, in essence, teenagers! This fact may challenge some preconceived notions.

Two key factors contribute to the misconception surrounding the age of Jesus' disciples. Firstly, there's a gap in our understanding of the cultural context of the first-century Rabbi-disciple dynamic in Israel during Jesus's time. Secondly, historical art representations have often depicted Jesus and His disciples as aging, balding men in their sixties or seventies—a far cry from reality.

Join us on this journey as we explore the significance of making disciples of Jesus and why the first-century Rabbi-disciple model holds the power to profoundly impact God's kingdom and the world.

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