Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples - Essay Example

Religion and theology Insert Religion and theology Introduction The church needs to have detailed plans in place to help everyone develop and grow in Jesus Christ. The key authority of the great commission is to create disciples. The church needs to extremely intentional in helping Christians become completely devoted Jesus Christ followers. The churchs role is to make disciples; therefore, it needs pursue and create mature Christ believers. This article will examine the role that church and pastors play in creating disciples. The church should be at the core of Gods plan in creating and nurturing disciples. In the New Testament, the term ‘Church has been used eighty-two times, and Jesus Christ first mentions the word church in Matt 16:18. Here He says ‘And I say to you that you are Peter, and into this rock I will create my Church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.1 In this statement, Jesus acknowledges that the Church is non-existent. He uses the term ‘I will to indicate that Church is something the He would create in the future. The new Church is something that Jesus Christ would build, Jesus is the founder and initiator of the Church; hence, He is the head of the Church. Jesus describes the Church as a force that will knock down the forces of darkness or Hell.2 The Church is going to the means through which Jesus uses to defeat the forces of darkness (Col 1:13). The Church came into being in the Book of Acts after Peter preached the first gospel message. Thousands of people believe, repent, and come together to create the first Body of Christ (Acts 2:42-47).3 The term ‘Church is mentioned twenty-one times in the Book of Acts. The numerous varied references of the Church describe it as a body of saints who come together for fellowship, prayer, teaching, and intentionally achieving the great commission. Luke, in Acts 9:31 describes Church in the following way; ‘so the church throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee had peace, being created, and walking in fear of God and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it rose in numbers’. This passage describes some of the basic elements of a church, in the church there is harmony.4 People are created and grow up in the knowledge of the spirit-led life. His church is having an effect throughout the culture of Samaria, Judea and Galilee, and from that effect, emanates transformed lives. What role does a pastor play in the spirit-filled, disciple-minded church? The Book of Ephesians is shrewd here; Paul offers the proper function and most powerful description of the Body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul recognizes the role and function of Pastors, in addition to the function and role of saints. He states that the role of pastors and saints is to build up in the body of Christ until they all attain a unity in knowledge and the faith of Gods son. Developing into a mature person and stature of Christ fullness.5 In such a case, the saints will no longer be children, who are blown up by every wind and tossed up by waves of every teaching, and by cleverness and cunning in methods of deceit. By speaking in love, the saints will grow in every manner in Him, who is the head of the Church, Jesus Christ. For in Christ, the whole human body, knitted and fitted together with ligaments, promotes the growth of the human body for creating up itself in love for the proper functioning of every individual part. Pastors are to equip and train the saints, and the saints are to carry out the work of the ministry.6 Training means restoring everything in its proper place, and in Ephesians, it means that all officers were appointed so that the church can function and operate smoothly. The smooth functioning of the Church has to do with the saints growing up in every level into Him, and becoming mature believers. First Peter 4:10-11 states that spiritual growth entails the disciples discovering and developing his or her gift, with the body, which is the community of believers, to its full potential in Jesus Christ and His kingdom.7 As the saints mature and grow, it becomes healthier, and the body starts are functioning properly as God intends. The Body of Christ health is an important aspect that all church leaders should consider. His Church is not a human organization, which has been drawn by common consent to keep alive the memory of a great person that is Jesus Christ. In contrast, the church is a living organization, which is mystically fused to the reigning and living of Christ, who continues to show himself to the people who he has been drawn to. A healthy church means that the body of Christ is healthier as well.8 The church should be intentional in developing Gods children to make sure that they attain their full potential. Perhaps the challenge of reaching the entire world is a challenge in developing all Gods children. Even as the church is in the business of preaching the word of God, or gospel it must concentrate on the mission of developing its saints, and drawing more disciples into the church.9 The church is here to help all believers grow and mature spiritually. The growth and mature is not to simply understand who Christ is, but also to understand yourself as a believer. Maturity finds its expression when a believer fulfills his God-given function. Therefore, why has God given all believers at least one spiritual gift? 1st Paul 4:10-11 each believer has at least one spiritual gift.10 Based on the spiritual gift, the saints are required to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If a saint speaks, it should be as one who speaks the word of God. The service of the saint should be from the strength that is offered by God. If it occurs this way, God will be glorified, through Jesus Christ in everything that happens. The authority and the glory belong to God now, and endlessly Amen.11 The Book of Corinthians 12:7 states that a demonstration of the Holy Spirit is given to everyone to generate what is beneficial. Believers must use their God-given spirit every day to strengthen other people and believers. The Church is there to develop all believers to the point where they missionaries of the movement. Jesus Christ came to save and to serve, and the church must join in His movement. The development and growth of a believer are both internal, which is becoming Christ in the thought, word and attitude; and external, which is becoming Jesus Christ in action.12 As the Church and saints mature and grow, it then joins Christ in His mission throughout the world. The term church means ‘called out ones; believers are called into the world, to serve the Savior, who has called them out to serve, or Join Jesus on His assignment. The church is the submission of the Kingdom, and in return, the kingdom is a fulfillment of Gods mission, and God’s mission emanates from His love and nature.13 John 3:16 states that for God loved the world in the following manner; He loved it greatly that He gave His only Son, so that for anyone who believes in Him, shall not die, but have an eternal life. Jesus had an assignment to save the world, and He accomplished his mission, and now He is asking His believers to finish the mission. The Church plays the role of winning people to Christ, aid them develop in their walk, and send them out to save the entire world14. Conclusions To be clear, the Church of Jesus Christ is here for the mission of preaching the word of God, and in doing so; help believers who respond to the gospel grow and become spiritually strong. As the believers grow spiritually strong, the leaders of the church are to help the believer discover and grow his or her spiritual gift. As they grow, they become healthier; Jesus continues to be witnessed and heard, and the visibly strong and healthy body of Jesus Christ continues to preach the word of God or the gospel. Luke 4:18-19 says that in the gospels, Jesus Christ called on His disciples to join Him and pursue in His plan. List of references Chan, F, and F, Beuving. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples. New York, NY: David C Cook, 2012. Comiskey, J. Making Disciples in the Twenty-First Century Church: How the Cell-Based Church Shapes Followers of Jesus. New York, NY: CCS Publishing, 2013. Earley, D, and R, Dempsey. Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, Tenn: B&H Publishing Group, 2013. Melescue, J. J. Revelation: The World Conquest of the Kingdom of God. New York, NY: WestBow Press, 2013. Rainer, T S, and E, Geiger. Simple church: Returning to Gods process for making disciples. Nashville, Tenn: B&H Publishing Group, 2011. Read More