Christians are Born, Disciples are Made

Dec. 18, 2023

00:00

-01:30

Transcription

Christians aren't made, okay? Christians are born by God. We can't make Christians, only God can make Christians. But we can make disciples. In fact, brother, as you know, Jesus commands us in the Great Commission to make disciples.

How are disciples made, first and foremost? Well, we read in the book of Acts that Paul was preaching the gospel and disciples were made. So disciples are made through the preaching of the gospel. They get saved, that's God's work, and then what we do is disciple them. So what is a disciple?

A disciple is a follower of Christ. Not by, oh I'm gonna make myself a follower of Christ, but because I've been born again, I'm a Christian, my first cry of my heart is what Paul cried out in Acts chapter 9, Lord what will thou have me to do? That's a disciple. Disciple says here I am Lord, I want to follow you, I want to serve you. A disciple is a lifelong pupil of Jesus.

He's a student of Christ, he's a learner. He follows him as he has sought to teach the disciple of Jesus Christ now through his infallible and inerrant word. A disciple is a follower of Christ who's been born again through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What role does God play in the formation of Christians versus the responsibility of believers in making disciples?

In the video, Rob Ventura draws a clear distinction between the making of Christians and the making of disciples. He emphasizes that while Christians are born by God's work, the responsibility of believers lies in making disciples. Ventura highlights the command from Jesus in the Great Commission to make disciples, elucidating that discipleship involves nurturing and guiding those who have already been saved through the preaching of the gospel. He stresses that discipleship begins with the transformative act of salvation by God, followed by believers' role in guiding and discipling those who have accepted Christ.

Ventura defines a disciple as a follower of Christ, emphasizing that being a disciple is not a self-made choice but stems from being born again as a Christian. He references the conversion of Paul in Acts chapter 9, highlighting the essence of surrender and readiness to follow Christ's will. A disciple, as described by Ventura, is a lifelong learner and follower of Jesus, guided by His teachings present in the infallible Word of God. The disciple's transformation stems from being born again through the Holy Spirit's power.

John 8:31-32 (NKJV): "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"

Speaker

RV

Life Story & Testimony

Rob Ventura is one of the pastors of Grace Community Baptist Church of North Providence, Rhode Island. He is the author of Expository Outlines and Observations on Romans. He is a co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare, and is the general editor of Going Beyond the Five Points, Covenant Theology, and A New Exposition of The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. He has also contributed articles to journals, periodicals and The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. He and his wife, Vanessa, and family live in Rhode Island.

Enjoy this resource? Help grow the ministry, Donate Here