Biblical Discipleship

 “The church changes the world not by making converts but by making disciples.”

“In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church.” 

– John Wesley

In his second letter to young Pastor Timothy the Apostle Paul said, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16) One cannot overstate the fact of Paul’s scriptural scholarship. He was the quintessential rabbi. His comprehension of Jesus Christ as the long-sought Messiah informed his interpretation of the bible (this was our Old Testament). Modern Christians will not readily see it, but Paul wrote mainly for the benefit of the Jews. His goal was the salvation of Israel’s seed, even as he preached to the Gentiles. (Read Romans) The bible was essential to Paul’s interpretation of his life and times, and the future. He understood and taught that God’s Word provides the standard by which we measure our relationship with God and our Christian character. As John Wesley said, it is not our place to change the Word but to allow it to change us.

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) He also said, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) The implications are clear. Jesus expects us to learn his system and live by it.

“What may we reasonably believe to be God’s design in raising up the Preachers called Methodist,” the answer was, “To reform the nation, particularly the church, and to spread scriptural holiness over the land” (““To Spread Scriptural Holiness over the Land” | Catalyst Resources Catalyst Resources” 2007) Wesley charged Methodist preachers/pastors in the same way Paul guided Timothy. Wesley’s charge revealed holiness of heart and mind in love for God and neighbor as the priority. Conversion isn’t about indoctrination into a religious system. Rather, it is about breathing Spirit-filled life into the system for the sake of movement. The disciplines, classes and small groups, itinerant preachers, connection, and conference were all designed to enable the movement to fulfill its purpose of renewing lives, the church, and the nation. Wesley believed God had called the Methodists to proclaim the promise of a new life before death - it is called sanctification. 

The people called Methodists aren’t really members of another denomination; they are the Body of Christ. They embrace a methodical approach to scriptural holiness so that they can live the gospel promise here and now, as well as after death. They possess corrupted bodies indwelt by resurrected souls. Christian Believers in pursuit of perfect love look forward to paradise and resurrection because they just can’t contain their excitement about Christ’s Kingdom. They are disciples because they study tenets of citizenship and faithfully follow their Lord. Therefore, it seems absurd to them to subject themselves to the carnal nature and those who would rule according to it.