Believer's baptism - An explanation of the relationship between saving faith and baptism

Matthew 28:19-20 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, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Defining believer's baptism
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines biblical believer's baptism as follows: "Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper." The remainder of today's post is aimed at offering in clear of language as possible an exposition on the relationship between saving faith and baptism in light of the above definition. 

Two ditches I have witnessed in discussions about water Baptism
I have witnessed two ditches that can be fell into when it comes to this particular issue.  The first states that all the Bible is concerned about is conversion, and that Baptism is a distant secondary concern.  Some will cite the thief on the cross who trusted in Christ without getting baptized as proof of baptism being optional for the disciple. The problem with this ditch is that it trivializes baptism and says far too little.

The second ditch is where we see baptism being viewed as necessary for one's conversion.  Sometimes appeal to passages such as Acts 2:38, where Peter states "repent and be baptized", are cited as proof that baptism must be connected to saving faith in order for genuine salvation to occur. The error committed here is that far too much is said.

The first ditch takes water Baptism too lightly - making it an option, a "nice thing to do for Jesus, but not required".  The thief on the cross did not need Baptism to gain entry into paradise - that much we know - for Jesus told Him "Today you will be with me in paradise".  If that thief would had been under different circumstances, following His trust in Christ he would had sought to follow the Lord in obedience into believer's baptism - since obedience is the chief way we express our love to the Lord. (John 14:15,21-23).  

The second ditch misplaces baptism, making it a "means of salvation" or going as far as to say that the baptismal act itself confers the miracle of salvation.  In attempting to take seriously the command to be baptized, the second view goes too far.

Why Baptism is not optional, but essential for obedience
In the passage above, Jesus did not call us to merely make "converts", but disciples, meaning that those who by grace through faith believe on Him as a result of hearing the Gospel will want to be like their Lord.  Now verse 20 has Jesus telling His disciples to teach "all that I command you".  The question is: what has He commanded?  Answer: begin by reading verse 19.  As you look at verse 19, you find among the things commanded by Christ the command to be baptized.

When one became a disciple, they did so by heeding the call of Christ issued to them by faith. By denying themselves and taking up their cross so to speak, they followed Jesus Christ.  (Luke 9:23-24)  But now what public act was necessary for them to declare their faith in Jesus Christ?  Believer's Baptism!  Now a genuine Christian will want to get baptized, just as a baby who has been born will want to walk.  Though both are distinct events, yet it is what the baby was born to do.  This is why the "new birth" language of Jesus in John 3:6 aids our understanding of the relationship of "conversion by faith" with that of "obedience in believer's baptism".

Jesus teaches in John 14:15, as well as John 14:21 and 23, that all those who love Him "will obey His commands".  Thus when I counsel a new Christian to get Baptized, it is an area where they don't have to go home and pray to God about His will for them, since He has plainly made know His will on that matter. 

Why baptism is so important for the New Christian
1. It encourages the New Christian in their faith
Baptism sets the tone for the Christian.  It helps that new believer, and those around them, to witness with physical eyes a reinactment of the change the Spirit of God performed on the day of saving faith prior to that Baptism. 

2. It reminds the believer of the sweetness of their prior faith commitment
Furthermore, in Baptism the Lord affirms to that Christian their identity.  By grace through faith they have put on Jesus Christ, exchanging their former lost condition for Him.  The picture of baptism is used by God to communicate to that person the work He did already when they had trusted in Him. 

3. It pictures the Christian wanting to operate under an open heaven of the Spirit's leading
Additionally, just as the heavens opened when Jesus was Baptized in the Jordon River in the openings of all four gospels, conveying to Him further illumination and insight by the Holy Spirit, the Christian's obedience in believer's baptism communicates their desire to operate under an open heaven.  When I as a Christian allign myself with God's Word, I'm indicating the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:1)

Baptism is not entered into in order to become a Christian, rather because one has become a Christian they desire to be baptized.  The human heart is changed by the Spirit in the presence of the explanation of God's word as that person receives Christ by faith.  All Baptism does is reenact that blessed reality and bring to light to physical eyes what invisible work the Spirit of God did the day He called, convicted and convinced that person to believe on Jesus Christ. 

Conclusions:
Though Baptism is not essential for conversion, it is essential for obedience.  Though baptism does not convert people into the Kingdom, yet those who have been converted by faith will want to get baptized. It is hoped that clarification on the relationship between saving faith and baptism has been achieved in this post. To God be the glory!

Discipleship must result in making other disciples

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Discipleship's goal and beginning are rooted in the Master's call
As we finish out this blog series on the meaning of discipleship, I want to review what we have discovered over the course of the past six blogs - namely discipleship includes:
1. Calling from Christ (Luke 5:27-28)
2. Cross and self-denial (Luke 9:23-24)
3. Counting the Cost (Luke 14:27-30)
4. Commitment to the text of scripture (John 6:68)
5. Church-life is essential (Matthew 16:18)
6. Communion or prayer, the oxygen of the faith-life (Luke 11:1ff)

As we look at the final element of discipleship - Christ's commission to go and make other disciples, the remarkable truth is that the Master's call provides the basis for this final element, just as it did in the first.  Why is it that Christ's commission is the proper reference point in motivating the forward movement of discipleship?  Consider the following thoughts below:

1. Christ is Sovereign - Matthew 28:18
When we speak of God's Sovereignty, we are referring to His final and mediated authority over all people, places and times. (Job 42:2; Romans 11:36)    Notice what Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 28:18 "All power has been given to me on Heaven and on earth".  In the original Greek of this text the idea is that "All authority, dominion, power to perform" was given to Christ.  In the Latin Bible the word used for power is the one from whence we get our word "potent".  Thus the Master has the potency, the resources and the strength to work through His disciples to carry out this great commission. 

Christian involvement is the means used by Christ in fulfilling His great commission
Now you and I may be tempted to say: "well if Christ has all power and authority, then why doesn't He just point and zap people into salvation?"  The reason is because in His Sovereignty, His reign is based not only upon His final authority (see definition above), but also  the means through which He mediates that authority.  You and I dear friend are that means.  God is a God of both means and ends.  His Sovereign purpose is accomplished by Him, and it is accomplished through His disciples.

2. Christ is the Sovereign Savior - Matthew 28:19
As you consider what Jesus says next here in verse 19, three commands are given: "Go"; "make disciples" and "baptize".  The "Go" part is being issued forth by the King to you and me, His ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21)  The term "make disciples" is the message we have outlined here in this blog series.  Note, Jesus is not saying "make converts".  Rather He is saying: "make through the grace and the gospel another person who will want to become like me through self-denial and God-centered desire".

Why Baptism is important for the disciple in communicating the Sovereign Savior
Now what about that third command: "baptize"?  Baptism has to do with an act of obedience, identification and participation on the part of the disciple.  As obedience, baptism is what I refer to as the "first major step of Christian obedience" following one's conversion by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Since Jesus commands it to be done, and since my love for Jesus is expressed in doing what He says, then it follows that baptism's motive is rooted in delight for the Master.  Though not essential to salvation, baptism is nonetheless essential to obedience. (John 14:15, 21,23) 

As identification, Baptism's mode is that of immersion.  The mode gives the most accurate picture of the disciple publically identifying in Christ's death (standing in water), burial (under water) and resurrection (out of the water).  Then as participation, baptism communicates to all that discipleship is not a spectatator affair, but a daily, radical effort to make the Triune God, revealed through Christ, the central focus of the disciple's life. 

3. Christ is the Sovereign, Saving Missionary - Matthew 28:20
As Sovereign, the Master has full and unlimited rights over the disciple in commissioning him.  As Savior, the Master is the central message and reason for discipleship's commisioning.  But now, who is it that is doing the work of this commission?   The English word "missionary" comes from the Latin term "missio" meaning "missle, arrow, messenger".  Thus God Himself not only sends people, but through those people He pledges to be the One, who like a missle, can infiltrate and break down the heart of unbelief.    When Jesus speaks of "teaching" here in Matthew 28:20, he is not merely referring to impartation of information.  Rather the idea of teaching includes the outcome of transformation.  

The Sovereign, Saving Missionary is the confidence in accomplishing the mission
Jesus then gives this promise: "and I will be with you always, even to the end of the age."  Therefore as true as it is that every disciple is a missionary, it is really God Himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the discipleship that is accomplishing the mission. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21).  Because He is Sovereign, He alone can transcend the time and space to fulfill the condition of "being with us always".  As Savior, His never-ending desire to go to those upon whom He has set His love.  His aim is to compel the lost through us to be reconciled to Him by faith.  Then as Missionary, Christ Himself is making the appeal to come, follow Him, and be a disciple. 

Prayer is oxygen to the lungs of discipleship

Luke 11:1a "It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray....."

What would you had asked Jesus to teach you?
As you read through the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you are exposed to over 140 episodes in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  The Master and His disciples traveled all over the regions of Israel for 3 1/2 years.  If you had been one of those disciples, what would you had asked the Master to teach you?  Perhaps how to teach?  Christ was certainly the Master at teaching - He preached sermons, taught over 60 parables and lived out or referenced nearly 600 Bible verses.  Or maybe you would have asked Him about four easy steps to doing miracles?  Christ did over 30 recorded miracles, cast out demons on almost 10 occassions and demonstrated His identity and power.

The only thing the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them
How about this one - prayer?  In Israel, there were other teachers living during that time who not only taught on prayer and wrote on prayer but who were known for prayer.  So as a disciple of Jesus Christ, would prayer had been on your radar screen?  No doubt it was for the disciples.  They saw many examples of beautiful prayer, dramatic prayer and well worded prayer.  But from the request for Jesus to teach them how to pray - they evidently had never seen prayer with power (except John the Baptist).  Prayer to the faith-life of the disciple is as oxygen to the lungs. 

What is included in an effective prayer-life?
As Jesus goes down through His most famous prayer - "The Lord's Prayer", He lays out the key elements involved in an effective prayer life:

1. You begin and end with an exalted view of God the Father.
Jesus begins this prayer with "Our Father" and He then ends the prayer in the parallel passageof Matthew 6:13 with a declaration of the Eternal dominion of the Father.  How you begin your prayer-life will determine where you end. 

2. You Proceed through the promises of God through God the Son
As Christ continues to teach His disciples, He invokes several key promises and truths straight from the scripture.  He first of all prays about the Kingdom of God or the reign of God to allign  God's purposes in Heaven and on earth.  Next He prays for God to supply every need.  Then thirdly He prays for protection from the Evil One.  All of these promises find their completion in the Son Himself.  Christ will soon return. He is the Mediator between God and believers and is the source of every spiritual and physical provision.  2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us that all the promises and truths of God are confirmed in Christ. 

3. Your prayer-life's connection to practical life is done through God the Holy Spirit
As Jesus concludes His teaching on prayer in Luke 11, we see Him speak about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in Luke 11:13.  Why the Holy Spirit?  Because it is through the work of the indwelling Spirit that my prayer-life and practical-life are connected.  It is the Spirit who leads me and guides me whether I am in prayer about my life or living prayerfully between prayer-times.  (Romans 8:26)  We read in Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." 

Breath-in the Oxygen of discipleship
I find it no accident that Christ's teaching on prayer is purposefully centered around the Trinity.  It is to God the Father that the disciple directs their prayers; it is through the Son that they can proceed confidently in prayer and it is by the strength of the Holy Spirit that they can continue to pray. (Ephesians 2:18) May you and I breath deep into the lungs of Christian faith the oxygen of prayer. 

Discipleship cannot occur without the local church

Matthew 16:18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Over the past several days we have been exploring the concept of discipleship.  A disciple is someone who by grace, through faith, follows Jesus Christ with the purpose to become like the Master.  In the process of our study we have discovered so far the following about discipleship:

1. Call of Christ begins Discipleship 

2. Cross bearing through self-denial is how one steps into discipleship 

3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost to continue in discipleship 

4. Commitment to the text of the scriptures is how one grows in Discipleship

In today's blog, we want to answer the simple question: Why does discipleship include the ministry of the local church? We will discover that the design, call, aim and desire of discipleship cannot be accomplished apart from the local church.

1. The design of discipleship - dependance, not independance
On the one hand, discipleship emphasizes the "personal" effort and experience of the disciple in their journey with the Master - Jesus Christ.  However to think that discipleship is a Lone Ranger affair is a myth.  In fact, if I approach discipleship only as a "me and Jesus" activity, then I will undo the principles of self-denial and counting the cost.  Not only has Christ designed discipleship to make me dependant upon Him, but also to break me of the self-sufficient mindset that often accompanies my dealings with other people. 

2. The call of discipleship demands connection with other disciples
The word "church" comes from a Greek word meaning "the called out ones".  As we have seen already, discipleship begins with the Master Himself calling you.  However with this idea of the church, as true as it is that Jesus calls each disciple one by one, He calls them to come together in the journey of following Him.  Hebrews 10:24-25 states -  "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."  Becoming involved with a local church is not optional for disciple.  We know there will be times when emergencies arise or sickness occurs.  However beyond those reasons, there is no reason to ever attempt the Christian life apart from the church.   

3. The aim of discipleship is to value what Jesus' values
The church is Jesus' own personal building project.  How important is it?  The Bible reminds us that He paid the price for the salvation of all His disciples - the church - with His own blood. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7).  Furthermore, God the Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father, in Jesus' own name, to help each individual disciple working with other disciples in being the church - in order to fulfill everything Jesus' commands. (John 14:16-21)  The Master has invested all of His eternal effort as God and all of His blood as man to provide the means by which His disciples can become more like Him.  Why would you not love what He loves? 

4. The desire to follow Jesus in discipleship is strengthened through the church
When Jesus says to Peter here in Matthew 16:18 "upon this rock I will build my church", what is the "rock" that He is talking about?  The idea of "rock" speaks of a foundation stone.  The only "rock" to which Christ could be referring to is none other than Himself.  1 Peter 2, written by the same Peter here in Matthew 16, speaks of each disciple being a "living stone", with Jesus Christ being the "Chief Cornerstone". (1 Peter 2:4-7)  Discipleship's calling is too demanding to be carried out only on the individual level.   Cultivating a deeper love for the Master can only take place in relationship with others whose goal is the same. (1 Peter 2:7)

A Simple illustration - Can you have a coach without a team
Is there such thing as a coach without a team?  Or how about a conductor without an orchestra?  Or a racecar driver without sponsors?  All these scenarios involve individuals who could never live out their identity, nor accomplish their tasks without their respective groups.  Now take what is true in the natural realm, and try to accomplish the God-ordained call to discipleship.  Disciples need one another.  Christ has so designed discipleship that though the calling is issued to one person at a time, yet it's very nature requires every disciple participating at the same time.

The Bible is central to discipleship

John 6:66-68 66As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.

Thus far in our study on discipleship, we have defined discipleship as the process whereby a person by grace through faith trusts in Christ in order to become more like the Master through the pattern of self-denial.  We have explored the following key principles:

1. Discipleship begins with the Call of Christ

2. Cross bearing through self-denial

3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost, if the disciple is to genuinely follow Him. 

Discipleship's effectiveness is not only measured by how well one begins (which we could say classifies the first few lessons in this blog series), but moreso by how well one continues on in Christ.  In today's blog, we want to understand the purpose of the scriptures in the disciple's spiritual growth.

1. Scripture is that which is written, communicating Christ's mind
Notice what Peter says to Jesus in John 6:68 "You have the words".  When we call the Bible "scripture", that word "scripture" comes from the Latin "scriptura" meaning "that which is written".  Perhaps you have heard of a "script".  In this sense then the Bible is Christ's script for your life.  Furthermore, if I want to get the mind of the Master into my own, I consult the scriptures.  The Apostle Paul writes about the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

2. Scripture's inherent property as a life-giving document communicates spiritual growth
As we once again notice Peter's response to Jesus in John 6:68, he states that Jesus has "the words of eternal life".  What is it about the Bible that makes it unique in being the Disciple's sustaining source for committment in discipleship?  We know from other scriptures that the scriptures are the sole means through which the converting power of God is communicated into the human heart. (Psalm 19:7; James 1:18)  Unless the word of God is present, read or communicated to the hearing ear, no one can become a disciple. (Romans 10:9-15). 

As true as the scriptures are used by the Lord to convert the soul, they are also used by the Lord to sustain the soul following conversion.  In the context of John 6, Jesus had performed his greatest mass miracle - the feeding of the 5,000.  Yet whenever the crowd saw that they were no longer going to be getting free handouts, they left in droves.  Yet Peter, a true disciple, knew the truth that "man shall live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God". (Mt 4:4) Were it not for the Bible, the disciple could not sustain the high call and cost that is discipleship.  It is a fool's errand to think that one can live the Christian walk apart from daily exposure to the word of God. (Psalm 1; 19:8-13)

3. The scripture as the written word points us to Christ, our Rabbi, the Living Word
The word "word" comes from the word "logos", from whence we get our word "logic" and "logical".  When we say the word "word", we are referring to how the Bible communicates God's logic, provides order and faithfully communicates His voice into our hearts.  Christ too is also called "The Word".  As the "Living Word", He does as The Living Person what the Bible does as the living document - He communicates God's logic, provides order to our world and communicates the very presence of God - since He is God.  (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17)

4. Your attitude toward the Bible reveals your attitude toward Jesus
Jesus Himself recognizes the relationship between Himself and the scriptures, since they are the words which points the believing disciple to Him. (John 5:39; Luke 24:44)  Thus our attitude toward the Master will be directly related to what our attitude is towards the Bible.  The two in terms of their relationship are inseperable.  You cannot think of Christ apart from the Bible.  He as the author of life is spoken of by the the Author of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit.  This is why Peter says to Jesus in the same context of John 6: "To Whom shall we go, for you have the words of Eternal Life".

The cost and benefits of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ

Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ^24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ^25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

The Radical Call of Discipleship
Yesterday we began to explore what discipleship is and how it begins - namely with Christ calling you by His grace to trust and follow Him.  Once you by grace through faith trust in Christ, the heart of the radical call to discipleship involves "denial of self" and "daily cross bearing".     In the original Greek and Hebrew a disciple first and foremost was a "learner".  But in the process of "learning", it wasn't just gaining facts and figures from the teacher.  Discipleship's aim is for the eager follower to forsake his desire for comfort and self-interest in order to follow the Master and  become like Him. No doubt, what Jesus is saying here in the above verses is radical - but necessary and expected, if anyone wants to truly follow Him.   

Why self denial is at the heart of discipleship
The disciple was "learning" how to talk like, walk like and live like the Master or "Rabbi" as it is termed in the original language of Jesus' day.  Therefore all Jews understood that if you ever had the privilege to learn under a respected "Rabbi" in Israel, then you had to be ready to place your intrests and selfish desires to the wayside to become like the Master.

What it means to "take up your cross"
Jesus makes an intresting statement concerning the level of committment it will take to be a "disciple".  He says that in order to follow Him, you must "deny yourself" and then "take up your cross". When Jesus made this statement about "cross-bearing", it was referring back to an event the took place before He had been born in Bethlehem.

During the days leading up to and after Jesus’ birth, Jewish expectation of a Messiah to come and break the yoke of Roman oppression was at an all-time high.  Many guys came and went, claiming to be the One who would break the tyranny of Rome away from the shoulders of the Jewish people.  One such wanna-be was named “Judas the Galilean”.  A first century Jewish Historian by the name of Josephus records  how this man had gained many followers.  According to the history of that time, this "wanna-be" convinced 2,000 followers in the regions of Galilee (a Roman province that was North of Jerusalem) that he was the One to lead a rebellion against Rome.

When Rome got wind of this news, they sent soldiers to that area, captured Judas the Galilean and his followers, and placed 2,000 Roman crosses throughout the roadways system of Galilee.  They then crucified everyone of these followers, along with their “wanna-be” Messiah, thus sending a message to everyone that if you follow anyone like this man, this will be your fate.  Thus in Jesus day, when anyone spoke of “taking up their cross”,  everyone knew it was in reference to the violent, bloody end of the failed coup against Rome.  

This radical commitment must be a daily reality
No doubt when Jesus made this statement, it instantly sent a message to all of his “wanna-be” followers – namely be ready to not only give up your claims to your own life; be ready, if need be, to give up your life period.  Jesus inserts that little word that adds another exclamation point to an already demanding call – “daily”.  Everyday the disciple of Jesus Christ needs to regard what God has said, regard his own selfish interests to be dead, in order that in Christ He may move ahead.  (Please compare Romans 6:4-11)

Keep your Eye on the prize
Despite what is no doubt a perceived loss, the gains in following Christ achieve a far greater prize – Christ Himself.  Jesus says in Luke 9:24-25 - "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ^25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?  The Apostle Paul writes similar words in Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” 

If we remind ourselves of the goal of discipleship – to be like the Rabbi in our thoughts, our actions and our life, demanding realities such as “self-denial” and “daily cross-bearing” will  more become delights rather than duties. 

The essential elements of discipleship

Luke 5:27-28 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. ²⁸ And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

Yesterday we looked at the background and implications of the terms "disciple" and "Lord" in the first century context in which Jesus and the apostles lived. Today we look at the essential elements of discipleship. What is a suggested definition of discipleship? Discipleship, by definition, refers to the process by which a person by grace through faith believes on Christ as Savior and Lord while forsaking himself to become like the Master.  Jesus brings forth the nuts and bolts of what it means to be a disciple throughout the Gospel accounts.  

Discipleship begins with the Call of Christ
Luke records the conversion of one of the twelve original disciples - Levi (or more commonly known as Matthew).  Matthew (Levi) would 30 years after this event write the first Gospel in our New Testament - the Gospel of Matthew.  But before Matthew became "Saint Matthew", he was sinner Matthew.  He took advantage, extorted and did whatever it took to make that next dollar.  As a tax-collector for Rome, he not only made it his business to get the necessary taxes from his fellow Jews, he also charged "hidden" fees over and above the tax to line his own pockets.  Jews hated tax-collectors - and tax collectors loved money.  The last thing that Matthew was thinking of doing was turning His entire life over to Christ to follow Him. 

The Call of Discipleship identifies the claim of Christ on your life
Matthew was into his career, his life.  He was making money.  Then came that voice - that voice which cut through the air and into his heart.  Suddenly the clinking of coinage and the rustling of bills were over-powered by the voice of the One who was now laying claim on Matthew.  

This was a voice that was unlike any voice he had ever heard.  Two words: "Follow Me".  What follows is as shocking as it is unexpected.  Matthew, the man of means, the man of money, was touched by Divine Grace.  The same voice which created all life and through whom came the entire universe was now through human vocal cords penetrating the dark heart of Matthew.  

The Call of Discipleship makes following Christ a foregone conclusion 
Grace made following Jesus a foregone conclusion.  He left all, rose up and followed Him. This is how life with Jesus Christ begins: with a call issued forth from Him, through His word, into your heart.  To be a disciple means to forsake all that you used to define yourself in favor of following the One who is unlike yourself.  By faith, as you follow the One calling your name, you will grow in your desire to be so much like Him that you too we see that what Matthew did was the only thing that makes sense - Go and Follow the Master.