A disciple is a follower, a pupil, or a learner. A pupil is one who heeds their teacher’s instructions, apply them to their lives and passes them on to others.
The main goal of a disciple is to become like their teacher.
Our finest example of discipleship is found between Jesus and His disciples.
Mark 1:16 – 18 says, “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”
We see here that Jesus showed the need for discipleship which is essential for ministry and Christian life in general. The Word lets us know that Simon and Andrew straightway dropped their nets and followed after Him.
We are to be trained in the Word of God and then, we in turn, are to train others. The more Biblical training that we receive, is the more we can give to others.
We can see the evidence of this continued discipleship between Jesus and His disciples in Matthew 28:16-20. This passage of scripture is where the Great Commission was given. The fulfillment of this Commission would cause the exponential growth of disciples.
Matthew 28:16-20 says, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
The fulfillment of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20, would cause an exponential growth of believers that would become disciples. The initial fulfillment took place in Acts the second chapter.
This is where we find the inaugural session of the New Testament Church.
Acts 2:1-6 says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”
Here, we see that when the Holy Ghost fell on those with one accord in one place, it was noised to the Jews and devout men, out of every nation under heaven that were presently in Jerusalem.
Now, we want to fast forward.
Peter is near the end of his Gospel message in Acts 2:36-42 saying, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
As a result of the disciple’s obedience, the New Testament Church was born and produced Early Church Disciples exponentially.
Acts 2:36-42 show us several key things:
1. Jesus preached as Lord and Christ
2. The Conviction of the heart
3. The Repentance of sins
4. The Baptism in Jesus’ name
5. The Remission of sins
6. The Receiving of the Holy Ghost (exponentially to those who believe)
The result of these things caused about three thousand added souls that continued stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, which denotes DISCIPLESHIP.
Christian Author and Pastor, Rody Chesser wrote:
“The early church was diligent in some things. These were priorities for them. They made time for these things. They gave study to these things and they continued in them. To continue steadfastly means to persevere in a thing or to be diligent about it. They were disciples which means that they were disciplined learners of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must learn the lessons from those early believers in Jesus and pattern our lives after theirs. They continued steadfastly in:
The apostle’s doctrine – The apostle’s doctrine would be the teaching that was done by the apostles. They were Bible teachers who expounded the Old Testament and wrote the New Testament. If the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, how much more should we. We need to be in the Bible EVERY DAY. We need to read it, to meditate upon it, to memorize it, to hear it preached and to teach it to others.”
Discipleship is not demeaning. Instead, it is a gift of grace. Discipleship is a spiritual discipline that is to continue throughout the lives of all Gospel believers. It is required for Christian Life and Christian Ministry.
God Bless,
Elder Joseph Swann, D.D.
Elder Joseph Swann 