458 – Jesus Calls His Apostles to be Disciples

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY IV LESSON # 58

JESUS CALLS HIS APOSTLES TO BE DISCIPLES

INTRODUCTION:

1. Two clarifying points should be made here concerning the Lord’s calling of these men at this time.

i. This was not their call to salvation, such as in I Cor. 1:23-24

and Rom. 8:30

, this call is vocational.
ii. They are not yet being appointed to apostleship. This will take place in Mat. 10:1-6

and Lk. 9:1-10

2. With the single exception of Judas Iscariot, these men were repentant believers in the coming Messiah, and had so signified by submitting to John’s baptism. (Jn. 1:35-49

)
3. He called men who were already believers to follow Him in service; i.e., to preach and to baptize. (Jn. 4:1-2

)
4. The record of their call to the ministry is not necessarily chronological. Compare Jn. 1:40-43

and Jn. 2:2

to Mat. 4:18-19

.
5. It seems John gives the account of some of the disciples’ initial meeting with the Lord, while Matthew gives the account of their call to the ministry.

I. THE KIND OF MEN JESUS CHOSE FOR DISCIPLES

(Let it be noted that His normal action was not to solicit volunteers, but to specifically single out and draft men.)

1. God’s choice pattern both soteriologically and vocationally is quite different, if not totally opposite, to that of men. (I Cor. 1:23-31

)
2. Man’s preference is men of education, background, culture, and reputation, but not so with God. (Isa. 53:1-3

)
3. The Lord called men such as common fishermen, and in one case a rejected man, Matthew the publican.
4. God’s pattern is to hide truth from the naturally wise and prudent and to reveal it to the simple. (Mat. 11:25

, Lk. 10:21

)

II. THE NATURE OF THEIR DISCIPLESHIP

(Let us understand that their discipleship responsibilities set a basic pattern for us.)

1. They are called to a salvation which can never fade away, but which involves unreserved following. (Jn. 10:27-28

)
2. They were called out of the world, to live in the world, but not to be of the world. (Jn. 15:16-21

)
3. They were called to an unreserved commitment to follow. If where is the issue, things are not right. (Lk. 9:23-25

)
4. They are called to unconditional self-denial. None else can truly be His disciple. (Lk. 9:23

)
5. They are called to suffer persecution from the world. (Mat. 10:23-25

, Phil. 1:28-30

)
6. They are called to bear fruit unto God’s glory. (Mark 1:7

, Jn. 15:16

)

III. THE SPIRIT OF DISCIPLESHIP

1. “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?” Not what are my aptitudes, and what will I choose for my “Christian vocation?” (Acts 9:1-8

)
2. I am ready to go with thee to prison and to death. Though this was not Peter’s true condition, it was the right commitment. (Lk. 22:31-33

, Jn. 13:36-37

, Jn. 21:15-22

)
3. We forsake all to follow thee: Though He may not require it all, He requires we be ready to give it. (Mat. 19:27-30

, Mat. 6:33

)
4. I count not my life dear unto myself. It is God’s life and I do not reserve it. (Acts 20:24

, Lk. 14:26-33

)

Berean Baptist Church