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Matthew 28:19 (ESV) reads:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
In the Greek, (according to Blue Letter Bible) that’s:
πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ
ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος
I recently heard the argument that, because “baptizing” comes after “making disciples” here, infant baptism is an incorrect view. Now, I’m not interested in the theological positions, but is this a valid claim from an exegetical perspective?
The argument also stated that baptizing is a participle, whereas “making disciples” is the main verb. From context, Greek technicalities, or simply apparent intent, does the order matter here? Is there an implied process?
Troy Day
John Mushenhouse none of our @followers knows this
Frederick Steel
No
Pentecostal Theology
Frederick Steel you do not know this one?
Pentecostal Theology
Frederick Steel What Matthew 28:19 Actually Says
The Greek text reads:
“πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη,
βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς …
διδάσκοντες αὐτούς …”
This gives one main command and two participles:
Main command:
μαθητεύσατε — “make disciples”
Participles describing how to make disciples:
βαπτίζοντες — “baptizing them”
διδάσκοντες — “teaching them”
In Greek grammar, these participles explain the means by which the main verb is carried out.
🧠 So does baptism come after discipling?
No — not in the sense of a long process before baptism.
The grammar shows:
“Make disciples” is the central command.
Baptizing and teaching are the two actions that constitute disciple‑making.
In other words:
✔ Baptism is part of the disciple‑making process
✔ Teaching is also part of the disciple‑making process
✘ Baptism is not something that happens only after someone is fully discipled
A more natural reading is:
“Make disciples by baptizing them and by teaching them.”
This matches the pattern in Acts, where people believe and are baptized promptly, then continue learning.
DrCharles Satterwhite
No
Pentecostal Theology
PROVE IT – from the GREEK pls
Eddie Hobbs
No,