discipleship is a process not an event

8/11/2019 Discipleship is a Process Not an Event

1/12

Discipleship: A ProcessNot an Event


2/12

Peter WagnerAny scheme which separates

evangelism and follow-up has built

into itself the cause of its ownfailure.

Any disciple making program

that separates, baptizing them,and teaching them has built intoitself the cause of its own failure.


3/12

Understanding Terminologies

Justification: In Jesus no condemnation

New birth: Beginning of the new life in Jesus

Baptism: Symbol of the new life in Jesus

Sanctification: Growing into Christ likenessGlorification: Wholly like Jesus


4/12

Justification

Justificationmeans when we accept Jesusby faith we stand before God not guilty.

Paul writes: There is therefore now nocondemnation for those who are inChrist Jesus. (Rom. 8:1 RSV)

This is the good news of the gospel. InJesus we stand before God as thoughwe had never sinned. (Zech. 10:6)


5/12

New BirthJesus says to Nicodemus: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless

one is born a new he cannot see the kingdom of God.(John3:3)Nicodemus replies: How can a man be born when he is old?

Can he enter a second time into his mothers womb and beborn again? (John 3:4)

Jesus answers: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is bornof the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdomof God. (John 3:5)

Once the person accepts Jesus, the Spirit is poured into his

life which results in a change of heartwhich Jesus callsthe new birth.The new birth is the same as the new heart (Eze.36: 26-

27) and the new creation. (2Cor. 5:17)The new birththerefore is the same as been born of the

Spiritwhich is a change that takes place in the heart.


6/12

Born of the Water

Jesus not only says, that a person needsonly be born of the Spirit but also of thewater. Wateris seen by many as the

symbol of baptism. In this contextbaptism becomes a symbolof thenewbirth.

Therefore baptismmarks thebeginning ofthe new life in Christcalls thenew birth.(Rom. 6:3-5)


7/12

Baptism is But the Beginning

Baptismaccording to Jesus and Paul is not theendbut the beginning of the new life andwalk in Christ.

This means that evangelism does not end inbaptism. The ultimate result of evangelism isdiscipleship, which is Christ-like disciples in

character.Therefore the need for nurturing the newdisciples into Christ-like maturity.


8/12

Walking in Christ

Paul writes: As ye therefore received ChristJesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. (Col. 2:6 KJV)The RSV uses the word live instead of walk.As you received Christ the Lord, learn towalkand livelike Him.

Schaefer says: While the new birth is necessaryas the beginning (of the Christian life), it is onlythe beginning.

We must not think that because we have acceptedJesus as our Savior, that this is all there is tothe Christian life.

Acceptance of Christ as Savior leads to walking

and living the life of Christ.


9/12

Birth and Living

The new birth is the most important thingin our spiritual lives, because we are notChristians until we have come this way.However, after we are born, eitherphysically and spiritually there is a life tolive.

The purpose of birth is not birth per se.

But that birth brings us into the externalworld so we could live.Therefore there is the new birthand then

there is the Christian life to be lived.


10/12

Living and Growing in Christ

Peter says: But grow in grace and in the knowledgeof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2Peter 3:18)

Living and walking in Christ result in growing into

Christ-like maturity.In theology we call it sanctification, which is

growing into Christ-likeness and less and less ofself.

So while the new birth symbolizes by baptism isimportant , it is not the whole of the Christianlike. It is the beginning only and not the end ofdisciple making.


11/12

The Word Our Milk

Peter writes: Like new born babes, long for thepure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow upto salvation. (1Peter 2:2)

Like new born babes who long for the mothersmilk, so the new born babes in Christ saysPeter, must long for the pure spiritual milkofthewordthat by it they may grow up intoChrist-like maturity.

Thus the wordis one of the ingredients for growthin the Christian life.


12/12

The Goal of Discipleship

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:12-15 of the functions ofthe gifts in the church. They are to Build up the body of Christ

Come into the unity of the faith

Knowledge of the Son of God Mature manhood

The measure and the stature of the fullness in Christ

So are no longer children tossed to and fro by every wind

of doctrine Speaking the truth in love

Grow up in him who is the Head of the body

Therefore the goal of discipleshipis Christ likeness in loveand character.

discipleship is a process not an event

Documents