Discipleship is an essential feature
David W. Clark
of God’s plan to build His church; it is not an optional add-on to evangelism. Jesus spent many
hours teaching both “the multitudes” and His disciples. The command of the Great Commission is to “make disciples” by baptizing new converts and then teaching them. This teaching is to be comprehensive—in fact, a never-ending task. Each new convert is to become a disciple who learns “to observe all things” that Jesus commanded. The basic meaning of the Greek word translated “disciple” is someone who learns. In the Book of Acts Luke appears to use the word “disciple” as equivalent to “believer.” In this article, we use the word in a third sense: a committed follower of Christ. Every believer should strive to be a disciple of Christ in this sense. Paul describes a disciple as someone who “would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). The goal for every believer is to become like Christ. We have been “[predestined] to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). According to Ephesians 2:8–10, we are saved by God’s grace, so that He can use us for “good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Salvation is not just “a ticket to Heaven”; it is a life lived in service for the Savior. It’s been said many times, “Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.” Discipleship is the preparation. Of all the churches we know about from the New Testament, the one at Thessalonica is arguably the ideal, the model church. One passage that supports this conclusion is Paul’s request for their prayers in 2 Thessalonians 3:1: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” What an amazing compliment! Paul asks them to pray that his ministry will be as effective as the work the Lord is doing in their midst.1 Another line of evidence is the rapid and wholehearted transformation of these new converts into committed disciples as reported in 1 Thessalonians 1. Paul’s report of their total conversion provides us with a model for discipleship. The first thing to note is that Paul was absolutely certain of their conversion. He writes, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (1 Thess. 1:4). This is quite a contrast to our experiences today, when we are often uncertain whether a profession of faith is genuine. (“Did she really mean it when she prayed?”) What gave Paul such certitude? Was it just because he was an apostle? Powerful Proclamation Paul knew the message he preached and the power of the Spirit at work. He describes that memorable occasion: “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5). His words were accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit. The word “assurance” can be translated “perfect certitude.” The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament suggests the translation “in great fullness of divine working” to combine the elements of power, Spirit, and assurance.2 However, the concept of certainty should not be removed. Paul proclaimed the gospel with boldness and clarity without any attempt to make it “acceptable” or socially 12
FrontLine • September/October 2012