What is the purpose of a disciple in the Body of Christ?
The ultimate purpose of an authentic disciple is to love God will all their hearts and to love others as themselves being conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ (Matt. 22:37-40; Rom.8:29; 1 John 5:2-3). This can only take place as we learn to walk in love toward each other having the same care for one another, and as we learn to participate and function in ministry to each other (1 Cor.12:4-7, 11, 25, 31; 13:1-13; 14:23-33; 15:58; Eph.4:15-16; Heb.6:10; 1 Pet.4:8-11). As the Apostle Paul taught believers to participate and function as the church everywhere in every Church, we desire to raise up every believer participating functioning churches in the same manner (1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23-33). Our desire is to restore the priesthood of all believers from only a theology to an actual practice in the Body of Christ today. According to the apostles’ doctrine, every believer was allowed (and encouraged) to participate and function by ministering to one another daily and as often as the Church gathered together. Every believer ministered and shared with one another out of their relationship with Jesus Christ as they were led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:14; 1 Cor.12:1-26; 14:23-33; 15:58, Eph. 4:6-7,16; 5:18-19; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14; Heb. 6:10; 10:19-25; James 5:19-20; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; 4:10-11). Believers today need to understand that Paul, Peter, James, and the writer of Hebrews were speaking to all the believers, instructing them on how to function as the Church. Paul told all the believers to minister to one another by admonishing, exhorting, correcting, and teaching one another.
As believers, we should be careful to study the Scriptures to fully understand what the apostles were teaching to all believers about how to function. We should be careful not to read our own ideas and understanding into the Word of God. It is important to understand being a disciple is not about going to a service in a building, often called “going to church”, or belonging to a denomination, or being a passive spectator watching a one man show. It is about knowing Jesus Christ and developing and having an intimate relationship with the living Lord. It is about taking responsibility to study in order to show ourselves approved to God and accurately discern the truth revealed in God’s Word. As we become doers of the Word of God through a lifestyle of obedience, we grow and mature. As we learn to listen to the voice of the Lord and learn to surrender and yield to the Lord and walk in obedience we will learn to be led by the Spirit. As disciples we are responsible to study, listen, hear, and obey the Lord for ourselves and not be dependent on a man to do this for us. As disciples we are responsible for our own personal walk of obedience to the Lord which will result in our spiritual growth and maturity. We are also responsible for the spiritual development and growth of our families, and to minister to all believers we associate with and come into contact with daily (Eph. 5:15-21; Col. 3:16-17; Heb. 6:10; James 5:19-20).
What is a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
A true disciple is one who has forsaken all to follow Jesus Christ, making Him the Lord of their lives. They are willing to surrender fully, yielding their lives to obey Him. Due to their commitment, they will become a learner and a follower of Jesus Christ, putting His Word into practice on a continual consistent basis in their lives. Being a disciple is about developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and loving God and others. Disciples seek to know the Lord and develop an intimate relationship with Him, instead of pursuing empty and dead religion, which is devoid of life. Their standard of living is based on the Word of God and living a life of love for God and their fellow man, and not based on the commandments or traditions of men, denominational beliefs, or an institutional religious system. True disciples live their lives for their Lord Jesus Christ alone, seeking to live a life of obedience to Him. They live lives separated from the world, resulting in a lifestyle different from the world. Being a disciple is about learning to live in the presence of God, being led by the Holy Spirit in one’s life 24/7/365 and allowing Christ to live His life through you. We will be continually adding more materials and resources to this website to assist you in your walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ. They will help you develop an intimate relationship with Him and grow in your Spirit-led walk.
Welcome to New Vision Ministries!
New Vision Ministries is a church planting ministry, desiring to restore the priesthood of all believers and the every believer ministering [functioning] Church. We seek to make disciples whose passion is to know Jesus Christ intimately and develop an intimate relationship with Him. Our desire is to raise up Holy Spirit-filled, Holy Spirit-led disciples and equip them for the work of the ministry. We desire to fulfill the great commission of making disciples who have considered and counted the cost of forsaking all to follow Jesus Christ. It is our heart to disciple believers, teaching them to obey the Lord from a motive of love for both God and others (Matt. 22:37-40; 28:19-20; Luke 14:25-33). Our aim is to raise up a generation of disciples who are committed to loving God with all their hearts and are surrendered to the Lord and His will for their lives. We are here to serve all who desire to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship with Him and know Him intimately (Phil. 3:7-16).
We desire to encourage you and equip you for ministry, so you are participating and functioning in ministry every day. If you desire to grow stronger as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we look forward to working with you to equip, enable, and empower you.