What is New Testament Discipleship?

May 5, 2025

The Great Commission forms the dramatic close of Jesus' investment in the disciples. The commission does not include detailed instructions about methods, but however, the disciples knew what to do because of Jesus' example and instruction. The Gospels therefore presents the life of Jesus and the scenario of his disciples following him during His earthly ministry.

The gospel accounts give a panorama of the historical master-disciple relationship. It is also the example of how the Christian disciple's experience should proceed. The gospels portray what a disciple’s way of life requires and implies. The size of the group of Jesus' close disciples is significant. Matthew and Mark both refer to this small group process.

Albright and Mann suggest that since Jesus could meet with his disciples in a house (Mt. 9:10-19,28; 13:36) and they can travel together in a single boat (Mt. 8:23; 14:22), the emphasis is seemingly on this small group of men and women that accompany Jesus or meet together.[1] 

This small group is closely related to the term "the Twelve" referring to the specific group of men. The gospel accounts consistently focus on "the Twelve" or "the apostles" (Mk. 3:13). Mark describes Jesus' ministry with only the Twelve in view as the disciples of Jesus. Matthew does the same (Mt. 13:10; cf. Mk.4:10; Mt. 18:1; cf. Mk. 9:35). This specific group also included women as seen in (Lk.8:1-3). We see them also in the book of (Act 1:12-13) in the upper room waiting for the promise. Women were integral with the men in the development of the church and in the life of Jesus Christ.

The Power to Make Disciples

These scripture texts are central to the fact that Jesus gave the Church the task of being involved in a process of making disciples. By philosophical intent, by precept and example, Jesus showed what is entailed in the discipleship process. Adjacency to the Master and supervised apprenticeship were crucial in the disciple’s development process. This process was not the groups cohesiveness of instruction only, but an indispensable demonstration of experience and application.

Jesus multiplied himself into his twelve assistants and called them His friends. There was a constant reiteration of the disciple’s relationship to him and to each other.

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other," (John 15:15-17) (NIV).

The Gospels intend for the reader to understand that the Christian life is equivalent to being with Jesus as his disciple. The idea brings to the minds of many people a one-on-one relationship with Jesus. Jesus gave his disciples instruction, as depicted in the Gospels, to go and make disciples. Immediately after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost that work began.

The significance of the Great Commission is seen in the greatness in the gospel accounts and the book of Acts where the work of the Holy Spirit with the Apostles illustrates a glimpse of the disciple-making process as employed by someone other than Jesus. In Acts the believers spread the gospel beyond the confines of the Jewish community to the whole world. Jesus extends the commission here when He said: "and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of

the earth," (Acts 1:8).

       The group that had formed with the Twelve was now to expand. The group process develops people beyond their local culture, denomination, and present reality. The Lord intends for the group, as disciples, to share their message and essentially bring others into the process. From the book of Acts onward, the second part of God's promise to Abraham "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed," (Gen. 12:1-3) is being fulfilled. Acts 2:42 sees the group after the conversion experience with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-41).

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together with glad and sincere hearts, praising god and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved," (Acts 2:42-47 NIV).

The primary goal in Acts 6:1-7 is that disciple-making develops each individual to a place of maturity leading to reproduction. The divine plan seen in the book of Acts is to take those converted and emphasize being transformed into disciple-makers. A process which today still entails reaching the world starting with those friendly relationships in a community. The integral part is the conviction of all believers that it is their responsibility to continue the Great Commission.

Question for reflection:

1. The Great Commission is a text that we read quite often, (Matt.28:18-20). Why is the church very slow in making disciples of all nations based on this text?

2. Is your local church involved with the group process of disciple making?

3. In what ways is your church, or group being influenced to teach, and/or use discipleship principles instituted by Jesus in the word of God?

[1] W.F. Albright and C.S. Mann, "Matthew," In Anchor Bible Commentary, v. 26 (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1971), p. 76.