INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
By: Dr. Mike Jones
[The initial call of Jesus to the 12 Disciples/Apostles was to make disciples and to evangelize the world.]
In this chapter, we will answer certain questions, such as, what is the meaning of Christian Discipleship? What are the various categories/types of disciples? How does one become a disciple? What is the ministry of a disciple? And many other questions pertaining to ‘Discipleship’.
The great German Theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, made some profound statements about Biblical Discipleship. He said, “Salvation is Free, …but discipleship will cost you your life.” “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without confession… Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” And, “Discipleship is not an offer that man makes to Christ.”
Over the years, I’ve read books by numerous Christian pastors and noted authors, who are gifted in teaching and writing on this subject matter. One in particular is Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, a Jewish Evangelist and Missionary, who has combined the two key areas of evangelism and discipleship, with a heavy emphasis on Bible theology and doctrine. The purpose: to develop a balanced program of reaching out to others (Gentiles too), as we all grow in maturity. During my recent lectures on evangelism and discipleship, I quoted some of the important points that Dr. Fruchtenbaum made during his series on the “Spiritual Life.” I’ve included them as part of my overview of Christian Discipleship.
When you hear the words “Christian Discipleship,” what thoughts come to mind? There should be more than just knowing facts about Jesus, or just being a follower of Jesus, or just having a relationship with Him. When you hear the words, the thoughts should be, “I want to become Christlike and be more zealous to see others become disciples too.”
When you search the scriptures concerning the word ‘discipleship,’ you will discover, between the four Gospels and the Book of Acts, there are about 260 references to the word, ‘disciple’; carrying the notation of a serious relationship with Jesus Christ, as a born again believer. Each believer undergoes three stages in their Christian experience:
- Justification – God brings the believer into a right relationship/standing with Him.
- Sanctification – The process of becoming mature in the nature of Christ through your walk of faith.
- Glorification – After this earthly walk of life is over, we will become like Jesus, in our new bodies.
The Greek word for discipleship means “learned” or “pupil.” New Testament uses it to refer to three particular categories of learners:
The first type is those who are merely curious. An example of the curious disciple is John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” Jesus pointed out that this group would prove to be true disciples upon moving from curiosity to true acceptance of His teachings.
The second type is the convinced disciple. This group starts out curious, but over time, they become convinced that what Jesus says of Himself is true. They are not, however, willing to make a commitment to what Jesus said, nor willing to risk their lives on it. You can find this group in John 2:11, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”
The third type is the committed disciple, and this is actually what we mean by discipleship in the life of a New Testament Christian. As Dr. Fruchtenbaum points out in his series on the ‘Spiritual Life’, “The committed disciple is willing to follow the truth, no matter where it leads or what he must suffer. He identifies with… (TO BE CONTINUED)
(Adapted from The Christian Discipleship Manuel; all Scripture references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted.)