The Doctrine of Christian Discipleship

Nature of and preparation for discipleship. Obedient service is the basic expression of discipleship. Such service is voluntary but never optional for the people of God. Christian conversion is the first step in discipleship. Mere profession of faith in words accomplishes nothing. True confession is conversion, converting a sinner into a servant of Christ. Faith is completed by actions it prompts (Jas 2:14-26).

Christians are saved to serve (Eph 2:8-10). Humans cannot achieve or deserve conversion or discipleship. People become Christians on Christ’s initiative and have no reason to boast (Jn 15:16). Conversion leads to discipleship, the living out of God’s will. God provides enabling power for His people to do His will (1 Sa 30:3-8; Hag 2:4-5). Christians need the inner moral power necessary for living victoriously as obedient disciples (Eph 3:16; I Pe 4:11). Family and church have responsibilities to train young disciples toward maturity in Christ (Lk 9:2; 2 Ti 3:14-17).

Disciples become part of God’s holy priesthood as promised by Moses (Ex 19:6) and fulfilled in the church, the ideal Israel (1 Pe 2:9). All Christian disciples are brothers and sisters with free access to God (Mt 23:1-11) through Christ, our High Priest (1 Ti 2:5; Heb 10:19-22). We need no other Mediator. We have the responsibility to go to God and learn from God directly through Christ rather than depending on human intermediaries.

 All Christian disciples are God’s fellow workers. None is left out. All are needed. A witnessing and serving laity is essential to a functioning and growing church, as Acts illustrates. Women played an important part in the work of God in the past and should continue today (Ex 15:20-21; Jdg 4-5; Pr 31; 2 Ki 22:11-20; Mt 28:1-10; Lk 8:2-3; Ro 16:13).

Guidelines for discipleship. Discipleship occurs only under God’s leadership. He has provided leadership in the lives and affairs of His people throughout human history (Ge 12:1-5; 24:1-67; Ex 14:15-16). He provided basic guidelines for disciples through His covenant (Ex 19-24) in which He sought to establish His kingdom. Under the old covenant God made His will known by laws and prophets. Under the new covenant He makes His will known by His Son (Heb 1:1-2). Jesus said the only ones who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do “the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21). To be a Christian disciple demands a willingness to give up everything to experience the reality of the kingdom of God through the immediacy of Christ’s ruling authority. Being part of the kingdom means a life-evidencing repentance (Mt 3:2; 4:17).

Discipleship is living out the confession, Jesus is Lord. Disciples of Jesus extend the ministry He began by doing obediently what He commands. Discipleship involves hearing the teachings of Jesus as authoritative and following His commands (Lk 6:46; Ro 6:16). Christ exercises His lordship in the lives of disciples through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17, 20; 1 Co 6:19-20; Gal 5:16). When a person repents and makes a personal commitment to Christ by faith, Christ enters the heart in the person of the Holy Spirit and becomes guide, energizer, and enabler in the Christian life (Jn 16:13-14). Disciples also need human role models and spiritual leaders. Disciples do not seek out leadership positions but answer God’s call to them (Heb 13:7-17).

Purpose for discipleship. The first priority in a Christian’s life is to seek, find, and follow the will of God. That is the way the kingdom of God, His sovereign rule in His creation, is advanced (Mt 6:33). God’s purpose is that Christians will bear fruit. Bearing fruit is not a religious obligation; it is a natural result of conversion, submitting to Christ’s lordship, and following the Spirit’s leadership (Mt 7:16-20). Discipleship centers on love for God and for neighbor (Mt 22:37-40; Lk 6:27-35; Jn 17:26). Discipleship is a responsible stewardship of personal influence on other persons and on society (Mt 5:14-16). Discipleship is more than passive adoration of God. it is active involvement in God’s creation and Christ’s ministry (Lk 14:34-35; 2 Co 5:18-20). Discipleship does not seek out deserved rewards. Discipleship means doing all for God’s glory. Christians share with Christ in meeting needs of other people. The commendation of the Master is the most desired reward (Mt 25:21) God has promised to reward faithful servants (Eph 6:5-8; 2 Pe 1:10-11).

Focus of discipleship. Discipleship focuses on personal spiritual disciplines, such as Bible study, prayer, and worship, to train for service. At heart discipleship is the believer in action for God. God’s will for Christian service is as broad as human need. Discipleship involves evangelism and missions as described in separate articles. God wants all material needs met for every person He creates. The Bible describes ministry to the poor and needy (Mt 19:21; Mk 10:21; Lk 11:41); hungry (Lk 1:53; 9:12-17; Ro 12:20); homeless (Ex 22:21; 23:9; Lev 19:33-34; Nu 15:15-16); oppressed (Mt 9:36; Mk 12:38-40); sick (Mt 10:8; Lk 9:1-6; Jas 5:14-16); handicapped (Mt 15:30-31; Lk 14:13); and the fallen (Jn 4:1-42; 2 Co 2:5-11; Gal 6:1-2). In principle discipleship involves creatively meeting any need another person has (Lev 19:1-2, 9-19; Lk 4:18-21).

 The importance of ministry to human needs was made clear when Jesus said it would indicate qualification for blessing or rejection on the day of judgment and the great separation (Mt 25:31-46).

May almighty God bless you always,

Tony

Tony Marino
Founder, Executive Publisher
http://www.ChristianTimesOnline.com

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