The Disciples of Christ lived an extraordinary life. They endured many afflictions for the sake of Christ unto their dying breath. According to church history, each of them died a martyr’s death except for John. However, John also endured much hardship, and we can see him banished to the island of Patmos in the book of Revelation.
Due to the uniqueness of the disciple’s ministry and their overwhelming place in Scripture, it is necessary to study them carefully. As a result, this article will take a quick look at the disciples with the goal of Christian growth and encouragement.
Chosen by Jesus
Early in Jesus’ ministry, Christ calls the twelve disciples to Himself. Scripture says, “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach” (KJV, Mark 3:13-14). The Bible declares that when Christ called the disciples, they came.
When Peter and Andrew were fishing in a boat, Jesus called to them, and they came. When John and James were fishing, and Jesus called them, they came. Matthew was sitting at a tax booth, but when Jesus called him, he came.
Jesus chose the disciples, and when called, they came. Here we see the initial manifestation of their ministry. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Given power
Christ called the disciples to learn from Him and preach the message of the kingdom of God. However, it is also said Christ gave them “…power to heal sicknesess, and to cast out devils” (Mark 2:15). Thus, the disciples’ ministry would be accompanied by signs and wonders. Signs and wonders were meant to establish the reliability of both the message and the messenger.
Scripture says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Heb. 2:3-4). Christ spoke the message first, then the disciples, but signs and wonders accompanied the message and the messenger as confirmation.
Uneducated and common men
What an amazing position these twelve would have filled. They were called by the God of creation and given power from on high to heal the sick and cast out devils. Surely, Jesus would have seen their intellectual capability to fulfill such a role. Surely, they would have been highly esteemed in the world during that time. Surely, Jesus would have looked over their resume and seen their credentials.
Actually, the Bible says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Neither Peter nor John had received formal teaching from rabbinical schools. They were not trained in the teachings of the Old Testament by the religious elite of their day.
However, something far greater had arrived, and His name was Jesus. Despite their lack of formal teaching in a rabbinical school, the people marveled because it was clear Peter and John had been with Jesus.
Separated from the World
A distinguishing mark of the disciples is that they were in the world but not of the world. Scripture says, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). Jesus chose His disciples out of the world. Thus, their lives were to be distinct from those of the world.
Since the disciples were not of the world, they would encounter much hatred and rejection along the way. But they were to take courage because a servant is not above his master. They must remember that they would suffer because of their identification with Christ.
Guided by the Spirit
The ministry of the disciples consisted of a unique manifestation of the Spirit. In reality, the only hope of the Bible being true is that God was involved in its formation. If someone were to attempt to remember the events of ten minutes ago, he might have some success. If that same person were to try to remember the events of ten days ago, he might have some success, but likely he would not be as accurate.
When the pages of the Gospels were written, decades had passed since the death of Christ. John’s Gospel was likely written around sixty years after Jesus had died. Nevertheless, we read of conversations and events with much detail. What is the likelihood that they are accurate? If the disciples were left to themselves, the Gospels would not be accurate; that is all there is to it.
However, we read of the ministry of the Spirit after Jesus’ ascension. Scripture says, “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:25-26). Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come to guide the disciples into the truth and help them remember the words Jesus had spoken.
The writings of the New Testament were either written by apostles or someone closely associated with an apostle. For example, Luke was closely connected to Paul, and John Mark was closely linked to Peter.
Instructed to be humble
Throughout the ministry of Christ, we can see that Jesus taught the twelve to be humble. Humility was to be an unmistakable mark of their ministry. When Jesus was in the upper room, and there was no servant to wash their feet, Jesus rose from the table. He stooped down and washed the feet of His disciples.
Shortly after, Jesus said, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15). Jesus was their example, and as they set out to fulfill the Great Commission, they were to do it with humility.
The rulers of the day were known for exercising authority over those under them. Servant leadership was unknown. But Jesus desired something new with His followers. So he said, “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:26-28). Yet again, we see the example of Christ.
Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Jesus came to lay down his life for many. The disciples were instructed to be like Jesus. They were to approach their lofty ministry with lowliness. They were to view their exalted position with the eyes of humility. If they were to become prideful, it would be their fall. Jesus knew what had happened to Satan. He knew what would take place if they allowed pride into their hearts. Thus, Jesus helped them to remain humble.
Conclusion
Christ called the disciples to a unique ministry. They were given power to cast out devils and heal the sick. They were untrained and ordinary men. They were not exceptional in the eyes of the world, but Jesus made them something special.
Jesus called them out of the world and set them apart. They were notably different and were hated as a result. The disciples were told many truths straight from Jesus Himself. They were given the Holy Spirit to remember the truth and record it in the pages of the New Testament. But all the while, they were to remain humble so as not to fall like the Devil. They were to stay low and walk the earth as Christ had done before them.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the example of the disciples. Please help me to embrace my calling and to do so with humility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.