Discipleship
Being A Disciple
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,
but only God, who makes things grow.
NIV
I mentioned at the beginning of this study that the word “disciple” occurs 275 times in the NKJV. One of these references is in Isaiah 8:16, the only use of “disciple” in the Old Testament. There God commends His disciples to study and cling to His Word. Consider a good portion of this passage:
Isaiah 8:11-18
11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong
hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people,
saying: 12 “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ Concerning all
that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats,
nor be troubled. 13 The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him
be your fear, And let Him be your dread. 14 He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of
Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And
many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared
and taken.” 16 Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His face from the house of
Jacob;And I will hope in Him. 18 Here am I and the children whom the
Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the
Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. NKJV
V11 –do not walk in the ways of the world, “this people”
V12 –do not be afraid of the world
V13 –abide in the Lord and consider Him for Who He truly is. We should reverence God, not the world
V14 –when we reverence the Lord, He becomes our protection when we are His disciples while being a stumbling block to those who are not His
V15 –this verse tells us that our efforts at making disciples will be frustrating for many will not be interested. Our task is to plant the seeds of the Gospel (Matt 13:3-8). God will bring home the harvest (1 Cor 3:7).
V16 –a good disciple will tightly wrap himself in the Word of God and will cling to it at all times.
V17 –God will hide His face from the unbelievers of this world, but will reward those who place their trust in Him.
V18 –The Old Testament is as important to our understanding of God, Jesus and Scripture as is the New Testament!
So, go forth and become a disciple yourself in the fullest sense of the Bible –
Then you will be able to go and make disciples of all the nations!
