THE TRUTH IN PRINT, April 2001

A Publication of the Valley Church of Christ, Yuma, AZ.

Vol.7, Issue 3

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"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…"

By Bob W. Lovelace

From time to time the question of "who is a disciple" of Christ comes to the fore front. To know how one "makes" disciples one must look at Pentecost (Acts 2) and beyond. Why? Because Acts 2 records how on the Day of Pentecost, in Jerusalem, the apostles began to fulfill the commission given them by the Lord. That commision was recorded by Luke in Luke 24:46-47,

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Notice that the apostles would "begin" in Jersualem and that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name to all nations. (Luke 24:46-49). Whatever one was taught prior to Pentecost with regard to even baptism, Mark 1:4, did not make them a christian or disciple as a result of the teaching of the great commission to baptize in Jesus name. Prior to Pentecost (Acts 2) and the command to be baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) there was indeed "a" baptism preached (Mark 1:4), but it was not "the" baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38). This baptism was preached as recorded in Acts 2:38. The result of their preaching the Gospel on that day is stated in Acts 2:41, "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." Acts 2:47 tells us that from that day onward, in Jerusalem, "...the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Thus, through their obeying the command to be baptized individuals were saved and added to Christ's church.

Reading on from Acts 2, Luke tells us in Acts 6:1 that the number of "disciples" were multiplying. This "began" in Acts 2:41, 47. In order to be included in this group and be this kind of disciple one heard the gospel and then obeyed by being baptized for the remission of their sins. Such made up the church of Christ. Luke tells us in Acts 5:11, "So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things." Notice the use of the word "church" to describe disciples. (Acts 5:11). This was the church that was yet in the future when Jesus said to Peter, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

As one reads through the book of Acts they see the same pattern as a result of preaching the Gospel.

Lydia's Conversion

Lydia's conversion in Acts 16 is typical of this kind of example of "making" disciples. Lydia heard the gospel and responded to the things said (Acts 16:14). We notice that it was not until after she and her household were baptized that she made the following statement, "And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.' So she persuaded us." (Acts 16:15) The word "judged" carries the connotation of being "properly distinguished" as being faithful to the Lord. The apostles did not go around telling every religious person that they met that they thought they were Ok. They taught those willing to hear in order that they might obey by being baptized for the remission of their sins.

Saul's Conversion

Ananias was said to be a "disciple" and he baptized Saul in order that he might be too (Acts 9:10, 18). Paul (formerly called Saul) explains in Acts 22:16 how Ananias said to him, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Certain "disciples"

In Acts 19:1 Paul found certain "disciples," it says. These were "not" disciples as a result of the great commission (Luke 24:47). Obviously, they were disciples as a result who had taught them and what they had been taught. That "what" is specified here as John's baptism. Included with this is the fact that John taught that people should believe on Him who would come after him, i.e., on Christ Jesus. These were not "disciples" in the same sense as the above conversions (Acts 2 conversions, "church" in Jerusalem, Lydia, Paul). In Acts 19:5 these became "disciples" of Christ upon being baptized in His name for the remission of their sins.

(Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)

Apollos

In Acts 18 we read about Apollos. There is enough recorded here to show that Apolos (like those Paul baptized in Acts 19) knew "who" Jesus was, for he spoke accurately some things concerning Him. But Apollos was NOT a disciple like Acquila and Priscilla though having been instructed and believing (Acts 18:24-28). What Acquila and Priscilla accomplished in taking him aside and teaching him demonstrates, like Acts 8:4, the responsibility of individual christians to make disciples based upon baptism in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. Upon his conversion (by necessary inference) then the "disciples" elsewhere (Acts 18:27) were to received him as a disciple! He is now a disciple as a result of obeying the gospel.

Others Not Yet Saved

Concerning this matter of making or not making disciples, I read about some who heard and even believed but were NOT disciples. In Acts 24:24-25 Felix heard and understood, which is one step above just "hearing," but he was no disciple! In Acts 26 Paul preached to King Agrippa and said to him "I know that you do believe" the prophets. Prior to that Paul has explained what the prophets and Moses had said would come -- "that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles." (Acts 26:22-23) Here is an example of one hearing and even believing but this did not make Agrippa a disciple.

Disciples Called "Christians"

These example of conversion and non-conversion from Pentecost onwards show who did become a "disciple" of Christ. Those who did become "disciples" were called "Christians" first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). While there is often much ado about the meaning of the word "disciple," no honest soul would deny that it hinges on who did the teaching and what that teaching was. The scriptures show that those referred to from Pentecost onwards who believed and obeyed the gospel were considered as true disciples of Christ.

Since we are 2000 years plus removed from Pentecost the answer should be clear with no confusion at all about those who had been taught about Jesus, like Apollos, but who did not have the full teaching. Apollos and those referred to in Acts 19 lived at a transition period when John was the forerunner of the Messiah. The baptism of John was operative during this period of time. One shows the weakness of their argument when they depend upon the events of that "transition period" to claim that there are true disciples of Christ today without the obedience of Acts 2:41.

In the context of all that has been said consider the words of Jesus in John 8:31-32, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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