The Text
Let us consider the translation of this passage in the New International Version (NIV) and the New American Standard Version (NASV), along with the Greek text from the International Bible Society (IBS).

1. The Greek verb (imperative mode) "matheteusate" is translated "make disciples" in the English versions.
2. In English the word "disciple" is a noun only; it has no defined verb meanings (in fact, Greek-English dictionaries define "matheteuo" as "make a disciple of, teach"). This limitation of the English language is central to the difficulty of understanding this passage correctly, as it forces the translator concerned about proper English to translate a Greek verb into an English verb-noun combination. Yet, it is helpful to translate the Greek "matheteusate" as a verb in English, "disciple."
3. A correct English translation of the text is "make disciples of all nations." "Make disciples" is a verb, "nations" is a noun. There are no "disciples" (noun) in the sentence.
4. "Baptizing" and "teaching to obey" are participles identified as steps in the "discipling" of the nations. This statement is a summary of Jesus’ ministry to the apostles and is not intended to be a comprehensive statement concerning conversion or discipling. "The force of the command is to make Jesus’ disciples responsible for making disciples of others, a task characterized by baptism and instruction."
5. Those who are being "baptized" and "taught to obey" are thus "discipled" (verb). "The response of discipleship is baptism and instruction."

A critical question prompted by the NIV translation is, "Do you have to be a ‘disciple’ to be baptized?" The question is foreign to the text; there are no "disciples" in the passage. The ones being baptized are "the nations." We must evaluate the pre-requisites for baptism somewhere besides this passage.

Briefly, the early church did not teach "discipleship" (as in physically following the physical Jesus, in the same manner as the apostles), but rather belief in his being the Christ. It also expected obedience to the gospel, which consisted of repentance and baptism, and subsequent membership in the church. Thus, baptism is preceded by faith in Jesus being the Christ and repentance. These criteria are the ones that need to be met prior to baptism; those being baptized according to them are in fact recognized as disciples.

Conclusion
The intent of this article has been first to correctly understand v. 19, and then to consider its impact upon the entire conversion process.

Because of the limitations of the English language, translations of this passage can lead to misleading meanings. However, for the purposes of understanding this passage, a verb sense to the English "disciple" could be implemented. This would facilitate a more straightforward translation of the passage, "Disciple the nations."

The object of making disciples, baptizing and teaching to obey is "the nations." The individual members of "the nations" are the ones to be "discipled," baptized and taught to obey everything Jesus commanded.

Concerning the broader questions of conversion and discipleship, the teachings of other biblical passages have been briefly considered and harmonized with the text in question. Examining the entire conversion process is clearly a separate task that should be undertaken as a separate study.