The Biblical Definition of Discipleship and Consequences

ByPeter Skov
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The Biblical Definition of Discipleship and Consequences

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This study gives a fuller biblical definition of discipleship – what Jesus commanded His 12 and 70 to do, what normal discipleship is not, and the practical consequences for every believer and church.

(Acts 17:11: Please learn to do your own Bible studies like this one – here.)

Foundations of Definitions – Found in the Bible

Healthy foundations include healthy definitions of words. As we believe the Word of God is alive, active, sharper, eternal and relevant – and contains the real words, commands, and actions of Jesus – we must start there and build on that – not adding or subtracting anything – not picking and choosing – but letting it transform us to repent and align for the good of all.

My back story (Peter Skov)

I realize I was not discipled and trained by someone who walked in this (heal-the-sick, raise-the-dead, cast-out-demons-style discipleship) in a healthy and strong way at the level Jesus and His disciples did – and neither were you, probably. So, you and I didn’t step out and do it at that level. We naturally follow the models and heroes lifted up before us in the natural, unless we purpose to not do it for strong enough reasons. If we want to upgrade for the sake of the Kingdom, and the fullness of Christ, we must change = repent. In the past 3 ½ years (starting around the beginning of 2020) – I have seen more people healed, delivered, baptized in water and the Holy Spirit, more people saved, more raised up in similar effective ministry, more people set free from smoking, porn, over-eating, alcoholism – repent – including myself getting delivered from 18 years of porn addiction – than ever before – while also having a full-time normal job. To step into that (and by no means have I “arrived” – but I have improved) – I had to deeply repent, get delivered from demons, review my perspective on discipleship, repent of making a church culture and existing church leadership and practice my “god” and master and limiter, and make the original Jesus my standard, make Jesus my actual Leader, make the Bible my actual standard and take my orders and freedom directly from Him. And I had to binge-watch on YouTube and other social media – people who lived in and bore fruit in the power of the supernatural in the areas where I was not doing that. Below is a Bible study that takes you through the thinking and teaching that led me to do the following.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:8

Am I – are you – hungry for this? Are you willing to prove it in action? That is how hunger is proven – action! Forget it if not. Faith is spelled risk + failing and trying again and growing some. Jesus can truly come and help those who want it. He honors our free will that much. This requires good old biblical repentance = changing our mind. Fully owning our life and decisions before God.

Why Should Any Leader Shift to This Way of Thinking and Practice?

  • Jesus did it like this. His commands to His original 12 and 70 should be our action – see the logic of Scripture progression below.
  • Large crowds (= revival) followed Jesus because of the many signs and wonders He did. So if we do this right, the church will really grow. This will increase our influence if done right – not diminish it.
  • Doing all the disciplines of discipleship – including the practical display of the power of God – will make disciples who are stronger, healthier, and bear more fruit individually to the glory of God, making local churches much stronger.
  • It places full responsibility on the individual to be a normal, full-blown disciple under Jesus – just like the original 12 and 70, etc. And it places responsibility on the fivefold ministry giftings – the servant leaders and examples – to train the saints to do the ministry (all do it, as in Ephesians 4:11-12 – not superstars).

The Definition of Discipleship

Scriptures that are part of clearly defining discipleship in the Bible (the whole Bible does, in a sense) – these are specifically chosen, as they speak to discipleship and are easily interconnected.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Learning: As a disciple according to Jesus = we are to do everything Jesus commanded – we are to obey. Not just mentally and theologically accept and agree on it. But do it – demonstrate how before people – like Jesus and His followers did. Faith is a fact – but faith is an act as in James 2:18 (see it in several translations).

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Learning: If Jesus lived in the flesh now – He would still do what He did and still train His disciples to do what He did and still command them to do what He did. He does that today by His Holy Spirit.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

Matthew 7:24-27

Learning: Hear and do. Do it = demonstrate it. Not just hear it and mentally and theologically agree on it. But actually do it – demonstrate how before people – like Jesus and His followers did. We are to do like Him, to actually be like Him – no excuses but to grow into it all. This is simple and easy to understand. IF we do not limit ourselves and call God a liar. IF we do not just follow our earthly church leaders. But we actually have Jesus as God and ultimate Master – in full reality.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark 3:13-15

(nothing else is said after this that is connected)

Learning: This is how Jesus did discipleship: 1. The leader spends quality secret place time with the Father. 2. Calls specific people to join and follow. 3. They are to be friends and hang out – together and with the leader (and we are all to be best Friends with God and to passionately guard the secret place). 4. Then they are sent out to preach. 5. And to drive out demons. Do we do ALL of that? Expanded version is in Matthew 10 and Luke 10. “Modern” Christians would accuse Jesus, God in the flesh, of being overly focused on the demonic here.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world.

1 John 4:17

Learning: Are we to be like Jesus was in this world? YES. In everything except taking the sin of the world on us? YES. We are to follow Jesus and be like He was & do what He did.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 14:12

Learning: Are we to do the miracles and deeds Jesus did? YES. Everything? YES! Greater things? YES – because Jesus went to the Father with His blood, we could be born again by the Holy Spirit, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus could not do that while in the flesh and that is the greater things – the biggest miracle of all: to lead people to be born again and be baptized in the Holy Spirit!!

Matthew 10

Please read it all – and the surrounding context and cross references. And do not now think like you used to: Oh – that was for back then and not relevant for me. That was the special Jesus and the “special” apostles! That, sorry, is the enemy taking away your commands and adventure and the Lordship and Words of Jesus – enabling you to pick and choose which commands of Jesus you want to follow. Where in the Bible does it say – these are “special people” “only for Jesus and the 12”? Nowhere! No, you and I are a disciple of Jesus now. He is the same and all that He commanded them – we are to obey. And this is not hard (1 John 5:3) – it is super exciting – that we can do the works of God on the earth.

Learning: When you have been saved, baptized in water, filled with the Spirit, healed, delivered, prophesied over, raised from the dead – then learn how and then you go – as well as with prayer, fellowship, Bible study, serving, loving, forgiving, etc.: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons etc. for free. Find the person of peace. Go to a specific place at a specific time to do these things. That is normal – and also fully what Jesus did – with His disciples following, watching, and being activated along the way. And then He commanded them to do it 2 by 2. AND IT WORKED! And it still works today – He is the same and people are people, and the world still needs this.

Luke 10

Please read it all – and the surrounding context and cross references. And do not now think like you used to: Oh – that was for back then and not relevant for me. You are a direct disciple of Jesus now. He is the same and all that He commanded them – we are to obey!

Learning: It is not just the 12 “big” apostles (who, by the way, are as 100% normal, average, and human as they come). This here, now is 70 unknowns. No names, no titles, no “big” official callings, no “big” training. Just hangarounds – just people who kinda knew enough – Judas was even one of them! Thomas “the doubter”. Matthew the traitor to the Jews – tax collector for the Romans. Peter who full of the fear of man (his lifelong problem) advised Jesus to not go to the cross – full of Satan. Simon the zealot, military crazy person. James & John the angry “sons of thunder” brothers. And now – 58 more people we don’t know at all. They were not perfect at all – but in training. But they learned by watching and doing. And it worked. It is for ALL. We need to make Jesus’ perspective here on the supernatural gifts king over 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 (some say only some have some of the gifts). No, all have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All of us have the same full edition of the Holy Spirit, not half – or 1/100th. The Holy Spirit has all the gifts. All just need to learn how to do it – practically. Please read how to interpret, healthily and biblically, the gifts of the Holy Spirit being for all here: Are All Supernatural Power Gifts of the Holy Spirit for Everyone? (a very important theological foundation stone in all that I do).

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:11-14

Learning: The 5-fold are to equip ALL believers to DO the work of the ministry (all of it). All local churches are to represent all of Christ by having all 5 ministry gifts minister and equip all to do all to be truly strong and healthy. The 5-fold are not to be superstars on a stage only – but primarily disciples, who personally and corporately make disciples who do all Jesus did. This will lead to humility, unity, fullness, strength = revival. We need to learn how to prophesy, evangelize, study the Word, love, and initiate, structure, and build – and learn how to teach others. It is up to each disciple and each church leader to evaluate to get and promote a balanced mix of training from each of the 5-fold ministry gifts – in order to be a wise, strong, healthy, disciple and church – representing, acting on the fullness of Christ.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Mark 9:23

Learning: We must unlimit ourselves from our past, our traditions, our leaders (if they don’t do this at the level of Jesus and His direct followers) our culture, our fears and failures, our limitations – and step into full wholehearted faith and obedience in action – with Jesus as the final only God, Master, best Friend and obey Him first. God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are not the ones holding us back – but on the contrary are saying: Who will you believe? Who / What will you follow and obey? Even though your leaders are not demonstrating it, commanding you to do it, Jesus is! – because He clearly did – and is the same today – and it all still works today.

What Is Normal Basic Discipleship Not?

We have to be careful not to mix the things below into the eternal principles and normal subjects we need to master as disciples. We need to set these boundaries right.

Sphere of influence is different from person to person

  • Personal physical place of calling and personal influence. Where is your sphere of influence?

Verses:

  • 2 Corinthians 10:13-16 – 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.

Personal preferences, perspective, and style are different from person to person

  • We must humbly and repentantly realize. We are all imperfect. We have different personalities. Only one was ever perfect – Jesus Christ. We all have a perspective – an angle, a certain level of incomplete understanding. We see partly, imperfectly, as in a mirror.

Verses:

  • Romans 2:16 – This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
  • Romans 16:25 – Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed.

Surrounding culture is different from place to place and person to person

  • Culture, language, settings, words, forms and shapes change – and we must make ourselves a slave to all people – without compromise – to win as many as possible.
  • Examples of this: Mark 6:9 – “Wear sandals.” This is a clear example of culture. The same goes for language. Jesus spoke Aramaic. The New Agreement was written in Greek. So expression and form need to be an efficient means of communication to the hearer / receiver. We become slaves to those we reach – to reach more – not in terms of compromise – for “we are under Christ’s law”.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 – 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Personal perspective in terms of calling is different from person to person

  • We need to realize that we must de-filter ourselves – but also purposefully and knowingly filter ourselves according to our calling which might be as an: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher.

Personal maturity and level of sickness are different for each person – but maturity can be increased by each person through repentance, humility, brokenness, willingness, boldness, sacrifice, and courage

  • Have you taken complete responsibility for yourself, your words, actions, and decisions? Do you know, you can really say no to God?
  • Jesus can only help the sick… (Mark 2:17) How sick do you realize you are? (Genesis 3:9) Have you gone through deep complete heart repentance, inner healing and thorough confrontation interrogation generational curse breaking deliverance. Are you limited by fears, unforgiveness, trauma, demons, and sins?
  • Do you really know how to suffer well? Do you really know the depths of the cross?
  • Are you really ruled by the fear of what people think of you?
  • Are you ruled by tradition, religion, and other demonic limitation?
  • Have you laid down even your personality and preferences at the cross – “died to yourself” – taken up your cross, and become fully obedient to Him from the heart – in everything?
  • Have you given up everything? Like He did for us.
  • Are you full of pride and self-sufficiency?

Consequences of Action in Terms of Defining Normal Biblical Discipleship According to Jesus

  • All of the words and deeds of Jesus. He is our God, Master, Best Friend, Example for life and godliness – for instance:
    • The fruit of the Spirit, the Sermon on the Mount, the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 and all else Jesus and the entire Bible says, teaches, and Jesus and the disciples did is to be thought, taught, and done by us.
    • Including serving the house of God – and the leaders of the house of God – under Christ – and giving, and having a great family life etc.
  • The Christian disciplines and thinking of:
    • Often having intimate secret place quality time with the Father – prayer, Bible reading, worship, listening for the voice of God – one on one time
    • Holiness
    • Repentance
    • Humility
    • Unity
    • Generosity
    • Identity
  • The leaders training all disciples who want by teaching and personally demonstrating this before them everywhere (not just at church services) – but also on the streets, from house to house etc. – and by letting them try and helping them step out into the miraculous including:
    • Healing the sick
    • Raising the dead
    • Casting out demons
    • Baptizing people in and filling people with the Holy Spirit
    • Prophesying
    • Leading people to faith
    • Baptizing people in water
    • Training people to do all the above – by demonstrating how – in front of them – and with them. And then on repeat.

Goal

  • We all become Friends of God; intimate, knowing the voice of the Father, wise, strong, fully devoted, fully trained and comfortable in ALL discipleship disciplines.
  • Fullness of Christ – fully mature in Christ. Strong in faith and humility. We are taught by ALL 5-fold gifts – to do what the 5-fold do – and we actually do it.
  • Disciples who are disciples – and make disciples – who make disciples, who make…
  • Unity and love among the discipled
  • Being a father / mother in the faith – who are THERE. Who stand firm in the storm. Who encourage, speak life to and believe in the next generation – and who speak wisdom, strength, grace, and courage to their spiritual children.
  • Everyone trained to be confident in and experienced in and ready to be leading people to repentance, faith, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, doing deliverance, healing the sick, raising the dead, prophesying – and training others to do it – etc.
  • … while also living and doing all the other things normal healthy disciples do.
  • The Leaders demonstrate the supernatural gifts and live in the fruit of the Spirit before all – and train all to do it and it is planned into the calendar and into all church services.

Summary and Perspective

To sum this up and put it in a healthy Christian-life perspective:

This “work description” of a normal disciple’s life and fruit comes ahead and in front of – it comes first in priority – in terms of whether they are to lead worship, be creative, serve coffee, lead, preach, or do administration in church. It comes above “calling”, since it is foundational for all disciples. It comes above “personality” since we are to die to ourselves and become more like Christ. It is for ALL believers who accept to be disciples as defined by Jesus / the Bible. It also comes first – over and above – but not replacing – our work education and work life. This is normal and first priority – not against any other important necessary thing in life, but this is not “negotiable” (all is free will). This is our first and most important education. This is very practical and requires time, discipline, courage, humility, love in action, dedication, friendship, engagement, patience, endurance, faith, deep inner change – leading to amazing outward change of bearing real eternal external fruit. This is an extremely exciting adventure life of supernatural faith – and persecution, suffering, and hardships!

Concrete plans and dates

  • The leaders in the church first decide if this is the way – and then train to live this out – personally and among each other
  • Then it very naturally just spreads
  • It will take time to learn – but with effort, humility, transparency, obedience to Jesus, and risk – it will – and all will get excited and will begin to bear much more fruit than ever before!
  • As soon as possible this fall we should make groups, teachings, demonstrations, and adventures – first among the leaders – then spreading out naturally through the ecclesia (called out ones – the church).
  • There should be series of teachings and demonstrations made available both on-site and online containing subjects to master mentioned here.
  • Everyone in church should be offered a discipleship course including training in all these things.
  • Everyone in church should be offered to have a spiritual health check at least one time a year – going through a deep deliverance and inner healing session or sessions as needed.
  • Everyone should be offered to take part in doing deliverance, healing the sick, leading people to faith, prophesying, filling people with the Holy Spirit, baptizing people in water etc.
  • Everyone taught by the fullness of the 5-fold ministry giftings to do the work of the ministry that they are called to train others to do.

Weekly normal discipleship schedule

  • Every morning: All take personal quality time – often – daily if possible – to simply hang out with the Father
  • Every morning – corporate global morning prayer, 30 minutes at 7:00 a.m., on-site or over Zoom.
  • Evenings:
    • Monday: Shabbat Off – self-study, family faith time
    • Tuesday 7:30 p.m.: Online teaching / interviews / healing / prophecy / deliverance ministry
    • Wednesday: CG – discipleship home groups / prayer / teaching
    • Thursday: Being led by the Spirit: Going out on the streets / house to house – healing the sick, casting out demons, finding the person of peace, baptizing, making disciples etc.
    • Friday 7:30 p.m.: Online teaching / interviews / healing / prophecy / deliverance ministry
    • Saturday: 2–3 deliverance & inner healing sessions
    • Sunday: Big gatherings + training / teaching / fellowship / fun
  • Daytime: work life, prayer, study, planning, going in the harvest, deliverance and inner healing sessions, Bible School etc.

Big thought is: To personally have God as best friend and to healthily bear real fruit that looks like Matthew 10 and Luke 10 and to help others bear that kind of real eternal Biblical fruit.

Could Hillsong, my present home church’s, Big Gatherings and a normal week in the life of the church look like this to achieve more of the above? Yes – see my ideas here.

I am so excited, I cannot wait!!

If all of this is done in a strong, healthy, humble, Biblical way it will bring glorious revival!!

Quick Summary

The quick, logical math of the Word of God on discipleship regarding the supernatural:

  • Matthew 28:20 – teach all to obey everything I have commanded you
    • What did He command them regarding the supernatural?
  • Matthew 10:8 – Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
  • Nowhere does it say not to do this. So, we obey in faith by taking action.
  • Is it then, just for the 12? No, it is also for the 70. Is it just for the 12 and the 70? Nowhere does it say that it stopped – on the contrary. Nowhere does it say we are to not follow Jesus in all things. We are to: Do greater works (John 14:12). Be as He was (1 John 4:17). And He is the same as back then (Hebrews 13:8).
  • Luke 10:9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Verse 17: The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Verse 19: I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
  • Are all the gifts of the Holy Spirit just for some and not for others – so they shouldn’t do it? Nowhere according to Jesus – on the contrary. He did not say to 95% of the 72 – you over there: do not raise the dead / cast out demons / heal the sick / prophesy, etc.
  • According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14:

To read positive life changing and selfish life breaking teaching – see All Bible Studies of Peter Skov of Action Christianity. Let God lead you to what to engage with first.

And here is my YouTube course on the very minimum foundations of normal discipleship.

Become an Action Christian

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