"Great Omission"

Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Why is there such an emphasis on baptism by the church leaders? The emphasis came from Christ himself, as quoted above.

Isn't salvation the most important thing? Yes, baptism does not save us but is does have significant value because Christ himself initiated it with His own baptism and commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is also important for the same reason, Jesus said to: "teach ...to make disciples..."

So as a church leader why would you want to some, all or half of the instructions that Christ gave to us Himself. You wouldn't of course. As a church leader you want to be obedient and lead others to be obedient.

Why have an evangelistic event without making baptism available? Yes, we need to make sure that the person is genuinely repentant. Yes, the person needs to understand what it means to follow Christ and absolutely yes we need to start our discipleship process with an act of obedience.

Looking at churches across Southern Baptist life, I see we can plan the lighting and sound of an event better than we can plan to have baptism available. Why? I think we are afraid of being accused of placing too much emphasis on baptism and be labeled like those denominations who hols an unbiblical view of baptism. Well go ahead and laugh because Baptist is in our name...hello.

So, do not put an unbiblical emphasis on baptism but let's do put a biblical emphasis on baptism. By being biblical on baptism we can fulfill the Great Commission.

Also, let's really make what we are doing a Co-Mission. See above where the words of Christ are quoted? Christ says:...lo I am with you always..." He promises to go with us, as we go to make disciples. The very thing we are commanded to do is the very thing most Christians are afraid to d and are inept to do....make disciples.

When we get our focus on quality, God will bring the quantity. Are we doing QUALITY Ministry or just concerned about QUANTITY ministry? Are we checking the box or fulfilling the Great Commission?

QUALITY means follow up, quality means discipling people towards obedience beginning with baptism and moves forward with increasing life change.

Let's not just focus on conversion but on conversion, obedience and spiritual growth.
With Spiritual growth we will see the church fulfill the Great Commission and get out of the rut of great omission.