Who is a
Disciple?
A disciple is an individual who follows and
learns from a teacher, mentor, or spiritual leader (Bonhoeffer, 1959; Wilkins, 1992). ). In a religious context, a disciple is someone who has committed to
following Jesus Christ's teachings and example (Hull, 2006).
Characteristics deemed fit for a disciple
include his willingness to follow and learn from the teacher, his commitment to
obey the teacher's teachings and commands, his willingness to learn, grow, and
be corrected, and his recognition of the need for accountability and guidance.
What is
Discipleship?
This involves the process of learning,
developing, and becoming a committed follower of Jesus Christ. It entails
developing spiritual practices, accepting Biblical principles, and
strengthening one's relationship with God.
In Christianity, discipleship, studying and
applying biblical teachings, and emulating the teachings, example, and
lifestyle of the master Jesus Christ are key to growth.
Effective discipleship generally requires
building strong, supportive relationships with mentors and peers, embracing
challenges and opportunities for growth and development, and practising
spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and meditation.
By embracing these characteristics and
practices, individuals can deepen their faith, grow in their relationship with
God, and become effective disciples.
Maturity.
The state of maturity is being fully
developed or grown physically, emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually. It
entails a blend of traits, abilities, and dispositions that allow people to
successfully negotiate life's obstacles.
Speaking big is not a sign of maturity;
rather, it is the ability to comprehend small things. Learning to leave people
and circumstances that endanger your mental health, values, self-worth, and
self-respect is a sign of maturity.
Types of
maturity.
1.
Physical maturity involves the
development of the body and physical abilities.
2.
Emotional maturity is the
development of emotional intelligence, stability, and well-being.
3.
Intellectual maturity is the
development of cognitive abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving
skills.
4.
Spiritual maturity is the
development of a deeper connection with oneself, others, and God.
A mature person manages emotions, impulses,
and stress healthily, accepts responsibility for one's actions, choices, and
outcomes, is aware of one's strengths, weaknesses, values, and objectives,
appreciates and respects the needs, feelings, and viewpoints of others,
analyses data, weighs options, and makes well-informed decisions.
Overcoming obstacles, adjusting to change,
and recovering from failures; communicating ideas, emotions, and needs clearly
and courteously; taking responsibility for one's actions and being open to
criticism; acknowledging one's limitations; and acting honorably, morally, and
ethically despite difficulties or temptations also contributes to the traits
needed by a matured person.
Christian
Maturity.
Christian maturity refers to the process of
spiritual growth and development in a believer's life, where they increasingly
reflect the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. It involves a deepening
relationship with God, a greater understanding of Scripture, and a transforming
life that bears fruit for the Kingdom of God.
This is demonstrated by the disciple's
greater faith, which involves trusting God's goodness, love, and sovereignty
even in the face of uncertainty. The disciple's spiritual discernment is
acknowledged. Additionally, they should be willing to surrender to God's Word,
instructions, and promptings and realise their limitations, inadequacies, and
need for God.
The
text: Hebrews 6:1
Therefore, leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. Hebrews 6:1.
Hebrews teaches that we
must repent from our rebellion and from our own dead works to become acceptable
to God.
The writer of Hebrews says “repentance from
dead works and faith toward God” is a foundational truth of the Christian
faith. It means the same thing as “repentance from sin and faith in Jesus.”
Dead works in Hebrews, then, are sinful acts. They are dead because they bring
death.
The elementary principles are the basic
teachings of the Bible: repentance, faith, baptism, the receiving of the Holy
Spirit, resurrection, and judgment.
The passage teaches us about the call to
spiritual maturity. It suggests taking time to go deeper into God's word and
grow in greater knowledge. Deeper intimacy with Christ and greater obedience to
Christ are the keys to the verse above.
The author of Hebrews generally warns
against false faith and discusses the issue of immaturity among believers who
had previously adhered to Jewish traditions. These Christians were still in
their infancy and learned slowly, even though they ought to have reached a
greater degree of maturity and been instructors themselves (Hebrews 5:11-14).
"Therefore, let us leave the
elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a
foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and
instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the
dead, and eternal judgment," the author of Hebrews exhorts these believers
(Hebrews 6:1–2). These believers needed to advance to spiritual maturity rather
than being centered on the "elementary teachings" of the faith.
Those who are "separated from the life
of God" are the ones who commit the "dead works" that need to be
repented of (Ephesians 4:18). Despite their religious content, these works are
"dead" because they are unable to inspire spiritual life. Such deeds
may seem righteous and even truly religious, but they are worthless in terms of
salvation and eternal life because they are not based on faith in Christ or
God's love. As repentance is a prerequisite for faith in Christ, it is referred
to as one of Christ's "elementary doctrines" (Hebrews 6:1).
The specific dead works to which the author
alludes in the book of Hebrews are the Levitical rites that the avowed Jewish
Christians had relied upon before their redemption in Christ. According to
Hebrews 9:13–14, "If the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of
defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of
the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?" Sacrifices and rituals never saved anyone
but rather served to cleanse them ceremonially.
In addition to serving the crucial function
of exposing the existence of sin in people's lives (Romans 7:7; 1 Timothy
1:8–11), the law also indicated the necessity for Christ (Galatians 3:24).
Jewish followers of Jesus in the first century had already abandoned faith in
the deeds of the law in favor of faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.
They did not have to continually go back to that foundational tenet of the
religion in their quest for spiritual development.
The Mosaic Law established the Christian
religion, and individuals who had previously adhered to the law had to change
their ways to accept the reality of God's revelation in Christ. These so-called
Jewish Christians would stop growing in their faith if they based their beliefs
on the "foundation of repentance from dead works." "Belief in
God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment" was among the
"elementary truths of God's Word" that they were to transcend
(Hebrews 6:1-2). The Old Covenant taught all of these lessons; the New Covenant
required Jewish Christians to advance to the more comprehensive teaching of
Christ.
In Hebrews 6:4-6, the author cautions
against turning back to the law but encourages these believers to continue
their confidence in Jesus Christ, the fulfilment of the law. The foundation of
the law had to be seen by the Jewish believers, who had to acknowledge it as a
shadow and symbol pointing to the reality in Christ. In addition to giving them
something greater, Jesus had fulfilled the law (Hebrews 8–10). They could eat
the "solid food" that was available to them as their faith deepened
(Hebrews 5:12-14).
We can fail to grow and stagnate in our
religion, much as the Christians in the book of Hebrews. All Christians should
strive to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) rather than concentrating only on the fundamentals
of the religion. Giving up on lifeless deeds, rituals, and flimsy religious
forms in an attempt to appease God is the first step toward faith. No one can
be saved by trying to uphold the law (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:10, 20). We need
to move on to maturing Christians.
In
conclusion
As we offer ourselves to the Lord, we pray
that He will complete His work in our lives and make us righteous, pure, and
chaste. May His Great Salvation be seen in us as He fully restores us to
Himself. May we gradually be transformed into the nature of Christ and witness
His magnificence.
Director, Youth Development Minstry
The Methodist Church Ghana
REFERENCES
Bonhoeffer, D. (1959). The Cost of
Discipleship.' New York, NY: Macmillan.
Hull, B. (2006). The Complete Book of
Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO:
NavPress.
Wilkins, M. J. (1992). Following the Master: A
Biblical Theology of Discipleship. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan