New Testament School of Discipleship

New Testament School of Discipleship

The New Testament is the textbook for the School of Discipleship, and Jesus Christ is the Teacher. Wherever you are studying the New Testament is the classroom. The exam is given when you are confronted with a situation that requires you to obey or disobey a commandment of Jesus. If you obey, you pass the exam. If you disobey, you fail the exam. If you fail, there will be other opportunities to take the exam until you pass.

Graduation will take place in heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). The white robe, which is the righteousness of the saints, will be the graduation gown (Revelation 19:7-8). The Crown of Life will be the diploma (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) presented by Jesus in the presence of the Father and all the holy angels.

The graduates will also be the Bride of Christ. The marriage between Christ and His Bride will take place following graduation (Revelation 19:7-8). The first assignment after graduation and the wedding will be to return to earth with Jesus to rule and reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 19:11-16).

Jesus’ definition of a disciple: “Teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NIV). 

When Jesus gave the commandment to his first disciples to teach others everything, he taught them, very little had been written down. Several years later Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each wrote down the commandments Jesus gave them. Luke also wrote Acts, which is the history of the first disciples hearing the commandments of Jesus and teaching others by obeying them.

John wrote three epistles and Revelation, which are additional commandments from Jesus. Peter wrote two epistles, and James and Jude each wrote an epistle which contains commandments from Jesus. After Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6), Jesus gave him additional revelation containing commandments. Paul included the commandments he received in the revelation from Jesus in the epistles he wrote that make up the remainder of the New Testament. Everything that we need to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is contained in the New Testament.

The commandments Jesus gave his first disciples are not only in the four Gospels but the entire New Testament. Therefore, since we have the New Testament, we can go to it and be taught by Jesus. We can read and hear everything he commanded his first disciples and teach others by obeying everything he commanded his first disciples.  

John in his Gospel and first epistle has much to say about the disciple obeying the commandments of Jesus:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:24).

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3 NKJV).

We don’t have to rely upon pastors, teachers, evangelists, and radio and TV preachers to teach us what Jesus commanded his first disciples. Rather, daily we can go to the New Testament and be taught by Jesus.

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:27 NKJV).

The preaching and teaching of pastors, teachers, and evangelists are important for our spiritual growth. But if we rely totally upon them to teach us, we may never in our lifetime be taught all that Jesus taught his first disciples.

The word, “disciple” is one of very few words that is both a noun and a verb. Therefore, we aren’t disciples of Jesus when we have heard his commandments taught or we have read them. We are disciples when we have heard them and are obeying them.

Only a very small percentage of disciples will stand before a congregation or small group and teach others. But every disciple can teach others at home, work, school, neighborhood, etc., by hearing and obeying everything Jesus commanded his first disciples. That was the life of Jesus—the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

A college or seminary degree isn’t necessary to understand the commandments of Jesus. The first disciples had very little education, but they understood the commandments of Jesus and taught others by obeying everything he commanded them. The same has been true of disciples down through the centuries. Even though the commandments aren’t difficult to understand, they are impossible to obey without a transformed life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Excerpted from The New Testament School of Discipleship by Robert P. Holland