The Call to Disciple by Dr. Craig Johnson

The mission of the Church is to disciple the world.  We are to disciple all nations, we are to baptize all who are disciples and then we are to teach those disciples all of the Lord’s doctrine.  . 

Our preaching is to contain two important concepts: repentance must be made “in His name” and remission of sins is given “in His name”. (Luke 24:45-48) 

Our ultimate target is the whole world.  God’s dream embraces a world-wide mission plan. 

We have learned to speak of God as a ‘missionary God.’ Thus we have learned to understand the church as a ‘sent people.’ ‘As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.’ (John 20:21)… God’s character and purpose as a sending or missionary God redefines our understanding of the Trinity.” p. 4  Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America , edited by Darrell L. Guder. William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge, UK 1998

The scope of the mission group was Jerusalem as the center and initial point; Judea as the immediate environment for natural expansion; Samaria, the next obvious contiguous area, and to the utter most, the ultimate goal of our proclamation.  Our mission as the church is in Guder’s words an “incarnational mission.”[4]  This mission of making disciples is more than just merely “converting people.”  It is an enterprise that leads men and women into the Master’s lifestyle.  A disciple must take the yoke and “learn” of Jesus: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matt 11:29).  He is to be like his Master (Matthew 10:24,25).  The Lord Himself also offered several restrictions concerning discipleship.  (Luke 14:26-33). 

A disciple must love the Lord Jesus more than his family.  A disciple must be willing to follow the Lord, and a disciple must be willing to count the cost and forsake all he has to follow Christ. 

The early Church had an excellent pattern of discipling.  They multiplied disciples through proper church activity (Acts 6:1-7).  They taught many and then confirmed the souls of the ones taught (Acts 14:21,22).  They went back and strengthened the disciples (Acts 18:23). They encouraged all to learn from their leaders (Philippians 4:9).  Disciples were baptized and then instructed in the teaching of the Lord. 

Such Good News always produces blessed results and will today.  It produces great joy (Luke 2:10); it produces peace by Christ (Acts 10:36; Romans 10:15); it brings tidings of good things (Romans 10:15); it brings light (2 Cor 4:4) and it is a source of hope (Col 1:23). 

An Ever Widening Circle

The disciples began at Jerusalem for this is where the Lord ministered (Matt 23:37).  This is where thefirst church started (Acts 1:12-14).  They witnessed there (Acts 4:16).  They filled the city with their teaching(Acts 5:28).  They multiplied disciples there (Acts 6:7). 

It expanded into Judea.  The disciples were scattered into it (Acts 8:1). The disciples started churchesthere (Acts 9:31).  The disciples published the Gospel all through it (Acts 10:37). 

It spread to Samaria.  Philip preached there (Acts 8:5).  The Apostles came and ministered to them there (Acts 8:14-17).  The Apostles preached in many villages there (Acts 8:25).  Churches were establishedthere (Acts 9:31).  And now we are part of this on-going multigenerational task, to spread the message of Christ to the ends of the earth (Matt 24:14). 

The Biblical Titles of the Church

Many metaphors exist in Scripture that can inform our biblical understanding with regard to the meaning of the Church. Though metaphors must be used with caution, (as they do not perfectly reflect metaphysical realities), we nonetheless need to consider the scripture’s own witness on the subject.

Thirteen examples of the most prevalent Biblical titles of the Church:

The Church is a Family (1 Tim 5:1-2; Eph 3:14; 2 Corn 6:18)

The Church is an Assembly (Ps 89:7)

The Church is the spouse of Christ (Eph 5:32; 2 Corn 11:2)

The Church is the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23)

The Church is called the city of the living God (Heb 12:22)

The Church is called the family in heaven and earth (Eph 3:15)

The Church is a New temple ( 1 Peter 2:5)

The Church is a nation of royal priests (1Peter 2:5)

The Church is called The Fold of Christ (John 10:16)

The Church is called the General assembly of the first born (Heb 12:23)

The Church is the Lord’s vineyard (Jer. 12:10; Matt 21:41)

Branches of a vine (John 15:5)

An olive tree (Romans 11:17-24)

A field of crops (1 Corn 3:6-9)

A harvest (Matt 13:1-30; John 4:35)

The Church is called the pillar and ground of truth (1Tim 3:15)

 The Church is the habitation of God. (Eph 2:22)

The Church, whether pictured as a building, a body, an army or a bride stresses  the unity interdependence interrelatedness and interconnectedness not of an “organization” but of a “living organism,,” what Wayne Grudem calls “a community of all true believers for all time” (p 853).