Discpleship in Paul's Epistles
 

The word “disciple” is used 226 times in the gospels yet never used in Paul's epistles. It’s interesting that Paul never says if you will do something you will become a disciple, but rather he exhorts us to walk based on what is already fact; in light of the truths of what has already been accomplished through the cross of Christ.

Terminology
 

Disciples are called followers. In the New Testament, it may applied to the followers of John the Baptist(Matthew 9:14) or our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt.16:24;Matthew 8:23;). In the sense, these disicples followed the lifestyles of their leader. For Paul, he still carried the idea of discipleship when he said in "be ye followers of me" (1 Corinthians 4:16). Why Paul did not use the term "disciple"? Simply because, he was not chosen by our Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly mininstry (Matthew 10:1). The terminolgy may be differrent but the meaning and the application is still the same. God bless...

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

I think it also had to do with Jesus' earthly ministry being mostly before the cross and the new birth. The perspective of Paul's writings (which he received from Jesus) were after the cross and were directed towards those who had been saved and born again. The thrust of his teachings were now that you are saved, these things are now true of you (sins forgiven, born again, sealed with the Spirit, righteousness of Christ, dead to sin, new creature....etc); now walk in the light of these truths as opposed to:

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

Also those born again are sealed with the Spirit unto the day of redemption while not all of Jesus' disciples continued with him.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:66)

I see this truth also. And now..."For me to live IS Christ." I am complete in Him. Fulfilling Christian duty is simply a spontaneous result of devotion to Christ. Obeying Him is a result of first loving Him. Paul preached the preeminence of Christ and his teaching is always subject to this one truth and finds power and significance in Christ.

His passion was to simply know Christ which resulted in a changed life. That's what he preached. It is not in our "doing" but our "being." What are you a pupil of? A disciple of? Methods or the Master? Programs or the Person of Christ? Good systems or the Good Shepherd? Standards or the Saviour? Follow Christ. Learn of Him. Yield to Him. Know and love Him.

:amen: and :amen:! Brother Forrest. Well said!

that being true Paul never used the term Born again either. it is only used by Christ quoted by John in his gospel and Peter.

He does sort of kinda alude to it.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(Romans 8:9-11)

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:22)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2)

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14)

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16)

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:8)

I never said he didn't allude to anew life. I simply made the observation that He never used the term Born Again try not to interpret that wrong.

But why would an Israelite need to be born again? John 3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

But I'm still not sure what your post has to do with the intent of my original post.

just that Paul does not use certain words yet the allusions are there. like discipleship

it was just an observation of what you said in post #3, "The perspective of Paul's writings (which he received from Jesus) were after the cross and were directed towards those who had been saved and born again."

you used the words Born Again in connection with Paul's ministry but Paul never uses those words in any of his writings but Jesus did use it. you have a reason for discipleship not being used but none for Born Again. So I just made a point Paul never used the words Born Again in Post #6.

My later question was brought out as to why a Jew or Israeli would need to be born again. I know Jesus used the generic term Man but the context is before the cross, and his ministry was to the men(generic) of Israel.

There is a good reason. seeing they were born into a chosen race physically and trusted in that to have favor of God, so being Born Again Spiritually would be on course for a Jew that is the context of John 3.

Paul did teach discipleship 1 Thessalonians 2:3-13.

1. Spoke the Bible - Their Purpose (v3-6)
2. Gentle Leading - Their Progress (v7-8)
3. Living Examples - Their Pattern (v9-10)
4. Individual Attention - Their Provision (v11-12)
5. Taught the Word - Their Primer (v13)

A disciple is simply a "Student of Christ", in order for there to be a student there must also be a teacher or mentor. You could also describe it in terms of an apprentice.

Not every disciple of Jesus was/is a believer, but every believer ought to be a disciple of Jesus.

I think you're missing what I'm saying. My original post said "The word disciple is used 226 times in the gospels yet never used in Paul's epistles". I didn't say Paul didn't teach discipleship. For instance Paul tells us;

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

My point was that Paul's emphasis was different than that of Jesus'. Paul never tells us;

......if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth
up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go
and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:20-21)

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
(Matthew 19:29)

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come
after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

Jesus came as Israel's Messiah and his main emphasis was kingdom teaching, yet he knew the nation would reject him. He does mention the new birth in John 3. He does teach about the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. He tells them he's going to Jerusalem and will be killed and raised the third day, but they didn't understand. Jesus' disciples didn't understand the gospel message that we know that Paul presented in 1 Corinthians 15. We can see the gospel message in the Gospels, but they didn't because a lot of what Jesus said, again, was kingdom teaching. The reason I am laboring at this point is because folks like John MacArthur write books like "The Gospel According to Jesus" and try and force kingdom teaching into the gospel message that Paul taught and you wind up with Lordship salvation.

Yes Paul taught discipleship, but that wasn't his main emphasis (at least not like Jesus taught). Paul taught relationship. His emphasis was that everything has been accomplished by our Lord Jesus and because of our position in him we are forgiven, have the righteousness of Christ, are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, are dead to sin, just to name a few truths. Paul wants us to know these facts that are already true of us and walk in light of these truths.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:17)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:3-7)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: (1 Corinthians 1:2)

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

If you don't understand the difference between what Paul taught and what Jesus taught his Jewish disciples then you run the risk of:

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)

By the way it's not a Paul versus Jesus thing because Paul tells us;

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)

But the word disciple is used in conjunction with Paul throughout the book of Acts, from the churches he started.

I think you're missing what I'm saying. My original post said "The word disciple is used 226 times in the gospels yet never used in Paul's epistles". I didn't say Paul didn't teach discipleship.

My point was that Paul's emphasis was different than that of Jesus'.

I don't see a different emphasis from Jesus and Paul.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Both had a desire to see the Israeli people saved, both also turned to the gentiles as well. Both taught others how to be "Christlike" and very many things in common.

The Old Testament foretold blessings coming to the Gentiles (Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 42:6 and others), but Jesus primarily came to the Jewish people.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. ( Matthew 10:5-7)

Most of Jesus' earthly ministry was during the time of the Law. He primarily taught kingdom theology. Even after spending 40 days with his disciples after his resurrection their main concern was the kingdom promised to Israel.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:3-6)

Paul did have a desire for the salvation of the Jews, but he also said;

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. (Acts 28:25-28)

Paul never told believers;

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live (Luke 10:25-28)

......if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth
up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:20-21)

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
(Matthew 19:29)

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

Jesus never told his disciples;

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, (Romans 6:11)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:6)

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)