Doctrine of Disciple

Tod Kennedy, Edited February 8, 2006 

1. The words which mean disciple.

1.1. The noun disciple is mathetes, mathetes.  It means learner, pupil, apprentice, adherent (bag2 485).  It is used over 250 times in the NT.

1.2   The verb is matheteuo, matheteuo.  It means to be or become a pupil or disciple or to make disciple (bag2 485).  The verb is found in Matthew 13:52, Matthew 27:57, Matthew 28:19, and Acts 14:21.

2. J. Dwight Pentecost (14) writes "There is a vast difference between being saved and being a disciple.  Not all men who are saved are disciples although all who are disciples are saved.  In discussing the question of discipleship, we are not dealing with a man's salvation.  We are dealing with a man's relationship to Jesus Christ as his Teacher, his Master and his Lord....a personal and intimate relationship--a relationship based on the knowledge of the person of Christ, a love for the person of Christ, submission to the person of Jesus Christ, and obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ."

3.  Disciples of different people are noted in the New Testament.

3.1.    Of John the Baptist, Matthew 11:2.

3.2.    Of the Pharisees, Matthew 22:16.

3.3.    Of Moses, John 9:28.

3.4.    Of Paul, Acts 9:25.

3.5.    Of Christ, Matthew 5:1, et al.

4.  There are true growing disciples (John 8.31), secret disciples (John 19.38), false disciples (John 12.4), and superficial disciples (John 6.60-66).

5.  Good characteristics of a disciple include

5.1.    Are believers and are called Christians (Acts 6:7; Acts 11:26; Acts 21:4).

5.2.    Associate with the Lord (Matthew 8:23; Matthew 9:10; John 2:2).

5.3.    Serve or help the Lord (Matthew 10:1-9; John 6:11, 12, 16).

5.4.    Able to ask questions and discuss issues with Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:3).

5.5.    Know, believe, and obey the Word of God (John 8:31).

5.6.    Under the authority of Jesus Christ, the teacher (Matthew 10:24).

5.7.    Becomes like his teacher, Jesus Christ (Luke 6:40).

5.8.    Loyal to Christ (Matthew 10:46-50; Luke 14:26).

5.9.    Puts the Lord above details of life (Matthew 8:21-22; Luke 14:33; John 21:1-22).

5.10.  Accepts the Father's plan for his life (Matthew 12:49-50; Luke 14:27).

5.11.  Demonstrate discipleship by love for each other (John 13:35).

5.12. Produce spiritual fruit (John 15:8).

5.13.  Job purpose is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 14:21).

5.14. Help other believers (Acts 9:25-26; Acts 11:29).

5.16. Need biblical teaching (Acts 14:22).

5.17. Others will attack them (Acts 20:30).

6.  The method for making disciples is summarized by evangelism and edification (Matthew 28:19-20). We see the same pattern used by Jesus with his disciples and by Paul with the people (Timothy is a pattern) he was preparing.

6.1.    Evangelism (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 14:1; Acts 26:28; 1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Through the operation Andrew procedure, having people over, films, literature, missions, day to day contacts, planned witnessing, people on the job, in school, and others.

6.2.    Teaching doctrine (Matthew 5-7; Matthew 11; Matthew 28:20; John 13-16; Acts 19:8ff; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2.2; 2 Timothy 3.14-17; 2 Timothy 4.2). In the pulpit, individual follow through in meetings, personal study, books, tapes, satellite classes, meals with other believers.  Contact, general application, specific issues.

6.3.    On the job training (showing, encouraging, warning, directing, advising) (Matthew 8:51; Matthew 9:18-20; Matthew 14:12; Matthew 15:10-20; Matthew 26:1ff; Mark 8.27; Acts 14:22; Acts 20:1, 30; and verses under teaching doctrine).  Applying doctrine to specific issues, taking the learner with you as you minister, giving assignments followed by  discussion and analysis, answering questions.

6.4.    Encourage his own ministry (Matthew 10:1ff; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 14:23; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:1-11; Philippians 2:19-23).

7.  Summary. 

7.1.    One becomes a disciple of Christ by faith in Jesus Christ.  One then progresses in the discipleship experience through progressive spiritual growth which is a learning, faithful, obedient life (Matthew 9:14; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; Luke 20:45-47; John 9:29; Acts 19:9).

7.2.    There is a point of beginning in becoming a disciple (John 9:27-28) followed by the lifelong process of spiritual growth (John 8:31; 2 Peter 3:18).

7.3.    Disciples are synonymous with believers (Acts 6:7; Acts 11:26; Acts 21:4).

7.4.    A disciple understands the Lord's authority (Matthew 10:23).

7.5.    The disciple has a learned commitment to the Lord (Matthew 9:14; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; Luke 20:45-47; John 9:29; Acts 19:9).

7.6.    They are in close relationship with the Lord (Matthew 24:3; John 2:2; John 6:11, 12, 16).

7.7.    They love other believers (John 13:35).