Who is a disciple

[sipho]

I recently had a long debate with my bible study group (which is inter-denominational). The subject was discipleship, especially relating to Mt 28:18-20. The verses say that disciples must baptise amongst other responsibilities.

The first question is who is a disciple? Jesus chose 12 out of a multitude of believers, does it mean that one can reach the Kingdom of heaven without being a disciple? I am certain that some of the people who lived during that time entered the Kingdom of God without being disciples. But if all who strive to imitate Jesus are disciples, then it implies that we should baptise.

The catechist stance on who should baptise is clear. I cannot baptise unless if a soul is in grave danger. The common trend is to call each baptised christian a disciple, are we actually disciples? or discipleship is another level which the 12 attained.

 

[Mjohn1453]

The definition for a disciple is “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” What you are thinking of are the 12 Apostles. These twelve were called by Christ specifically. They are the ones who all the bishops can trace their roots back to. This line, back to the Apostles, is carried on in the episcopacy and priesthood today. These 12 Apostles were also disciples of Christ because they were taught and expected to teach others about Christ’s life. Christ also sent 72 other discples out two by two to prepare the way for him. So I guess to answer your question we could all be considered disciples of Christ.

To address some of your other comments, we are not all called to baptise, except in extraordinary circumstances. Like you pointed out.

I am certain that some of the people who lived during that time entered the Kingdom of God without being disciples.

The people that died before Christ’s death on the Cross were given the chance to accept Christ when he died. The Apostles creed says he went into hell, various interpretations of this suggest he could have went into Sheol. The Jewish shadowy place were all who had died went, and then preached the Gospel to them and gave them the chance to accept or reject it.

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

Mjohn 1453 covered the confusion, well. Simply put an apostle is one who is sent and a disciple is a follower. Some in the early church were influenced by Plato and Aristotle and were called their disciples. Christians are disciples of Jesus and are called to use our God given talents (Differant in each of us) for the good of his church.

God bless,
Deacon Tony

 

[Keith_Strohm]

Deacon Tony560:

Mjohn 1453 covered the confusion, well. Simply put an apostle is one who is sent and a disciple is a follower. Some in the early church were influenced by Plato and Aristotle and were called their disciples. Christians are disciples of Jesus and are called to use our God given talents (Differant in each of us) for the good of his church.

God bless,
Deacon Tony

In a very real sense, lay people are also “apostles” in that they share fully in the apostolic dimension of the Church’s mission (CCC 864). I want to be clear and distinguish between the Office of Apostle (given to the 12) and the Office of the Lay Apostolate (given to all Christians at Baptism).

Both have distinct areas of authority, jurisdiction, and power that are complementary. The Office of Apostle is bestowed upon Bishops (the successors of the 12) and through them to priests and deacons. This office is exercised primarily in service to the People of God for the sake of their mission to the world. The Office of the Laity is exercised for the sake of the secular world.

Lay people are particularly “sent out” in the world to “consecrate the world to God and restore to creation all of its original value.” (Christifidelis Laici).

The whole Church, then, responds to the Great Commission! This understanding of my role as a layperson has fundamentally changed the experience of my own faith!

In Him,

Keith Strohm