Disciple in New Testament Times

The word disciple is closely associated with the word discipline, and it might well be said that a disciple is a disciplined believer or adherent.  The word literally means “a learner” and denotes one who follows the teachings of another.  A disciple, however, is not merely a pupil but is an imitator of the teacher.  In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day a disciple of a rabbi would leave his home and move in with his teacher.  He served the teacher in the most servile ways, treating him as an absolute authority.  He was expected not only to learn all that his rabbi knew but also to become like him in character and piety.  In turn, the rabbi provided food and lodging and saw his own distinctive interpretations transmitted through his disciples to future generations.  When Mark says that Jesus chose twelve men “that they should be with him” (Mark 3:14), he accurately reflects contemporary understanding of how future leaders were trained.  Inherent in such a call was the idea of a disciple’s total commitment.

-W.E. Vine - An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Pg. 226

4th Nephi 1:36 "True Believers"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum

of the Twelve Apostles

spoke of the characteristics

that define those who truly believe in the Savior:

True believers are settled in their views of Christ.

Despite their weaknesses, their spirituality is centered on the Savior, so their views of everything else are put in that precious perspective.

True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom. 

 These duties are usually measurable and straightforward. They include partaking worthily of

the sacrament, rendering Christian service, studying the scriptures, praying, fasting, receiving ordinances, attending to family duties, paying tithes and offerings. . . .

True believers are humble. 

They are ‘meek and lowly of heart’ [Moroni 7:43]. . . . They are not easily offended. They do not resist counsel. . . . 

True believers are willing to do what Christ wants.

. . . Are we willing to let the Lord lead us into further developmental experiences? Or do we shrink back? The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching.

 

True believers have a balanced contentment.

They strike a balance between being too content and wishing for a more important role. . . .

True believers truly pray.

Their prayers are sincere. . . . The true believer’s prayers, at least some of the time,

are inspired.

True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct.

They are so secure in their relationship with the Lord that their goodness would

continue even if nobody were watching. . .

 .

True believers rejoice in the success of others. . . .

They don’t regard colleagues as competitors.

True believers remember that forgetting is part of forgiving.

They follow the Lord’s example: ‘I [will] remember [their sins] no more’ (D&C 58:42). . . 

True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive.

They are kind, but candid. They love their fellowmen. . . 

.

True believers are happy.

Instead of a ‘woeful countenance,’ true believers in Christ have a disciplined  enthusiasm to work righteousness. They are serious about how they live life, but are also of good cheer” (“True Believers,” New Era, Apr., 1994, 20–24).

Read the full article HERE

Remember Lehonti and Stay on High Ground

Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship

Elder Robert D. Hales

General Conference Address - October 2008

In the Book of Mormon, we read about Lehonti and his men camped upon a mount. The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to “come down” and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned “by degrees” until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands. By arguments and accusations, some people bait us to leave the high ground. The high ground is where the light is. It’s where we see the first light of morning and the last light in the evening. It is the safe ground. 

See Also:

Seek and Attain the Spiritual High Ground in Life

Elder Robert D. Hales

CES Fireside March 2009

Staying on High Ground Together

Keep in mind that Lehonti wasn’t the only one who suffered from the consequences of his choices. So many times you and I think that when we compromise our standards “it can’t hurt anyone but me,” but in reality so many depend on us to be obedient, to be worthy, to be true, and to be chaste. Just think—there are our friends, our parents, our brothers and sisters, and, most importantly, our eternal companion and our children. Even if you are not married yet, your future companion and those children are interested in your spiritual well-being. Your choices now may determine whether or not you will be worthy of them in the future.

There may be some who won’t be married. May I say to you, the most important thing you have to remember is to stay on the high ground and make sure that you are worthy, because we are told that there will be many blessings in the eternities to come that will be rightfully yours. So do not get that discouraged. The most important thing is to stay worthy and true and on the spiritual high ground.

When Lehonti came out of the fortress and succumbed to temptation, all of his people suffered. Amalickiah brought them back into captivity, and many were killed in battle later on. As converted followers of the Savior, we are commissioned to strengthen those around us. We get on high ground not just to save ourselves from the adversary but also so that we can lift others to safety.

Good friends help keep us on the high ground. Good friends strengthen us and help us live the commandments when we are with them. True friends will not make us choose between the Lord’s ways and their ways. If your present friends are taking you off the strait and narrow path and taking you from the high ground, depart from them now! Do not let the mocking from those who have chosen the “great and spacious building” shame you into leaving spiritual safety.

Choose your friends carefully. When I was a little boy, my mother took me down to a pond, and we fed bread to the swans. She was a great teacher. She would say to me, “Do you see any vultures or birds of prey among those beautiful, peaceful swans? There are only swans because birds of a feather flock together!” The message was simple. Your friends will reflect what kind of a person you are and who you feel comfortable being around in your life. It is from your friends that you will ultimately choose your eternal companion, and it is your friends who help you stay on the strait and narrow path and be true and faithful.

At the same time we must ask ourselves “What kind of a friend am I?” Be a good example; be a light unto the world; lead and guide those around you on the path of righteousness. They are depending on you to lift and strengthen them.

Maxwell: Settle This in Your Hearts

"Settle This in Your Hearts"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

October Conference

1992

These comments are for the essentially “honorable” members who are skimming over the surface instead of deepening their discipleship and who are casually engaged rather than “anxiously engaged.” Though nominal in their participation, their reservations and hesitations inevitably show through. They may even pass through our holy temples, but, alas, they do not let the holy temples pass through them.

Such members accept callings but not all of the accompanying responsibilities; hence, their Church chores must often be done by those already “anxiously engaged.” Some regard themselves as merely “resting” in between Church callings. But we are never in between as to this soaring call from Jesus: “What manner of men [and women] ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” It is never safe to rest regarding that calling! In fact, being “valiant” in one’s testimony of Jesus includes striving to become more like Him in mind, heart, and attributes. Becoming this manner of men and women is the ultimate expression of orthodoxy!

Casual members are usually very busy with the cares and the things of the world—much as honorable Amulek once was. Called many times, he would not hear. He really knew concerning the truths of the gospel, but Amulek would not acknowledge that he knew. One common characteristic of the honorable but slack is their disdain for the seemingly unexciting duties of discipleship, such as daily prayer, regular reading of the scriptures, attendance at sacrament meeting, paying a full tithe, and participating in the holy temples. Such disdain is especially dangerous in today’s world of raging relativism and of belching sensualism, a world in which, if many utter the name of Deity at all, it is only as verbal punctuation or as an expression of exclamation, not adoration!

In contrast, those sincerely striving for greater consecration neither cast off their commitments nor the holy garment. They avoid obscenity, keep the law of chastity, pay their tithes, and love and serve their spouses and children. As good neighbors, they “bear one another’s burdens,” “mourn with those that mourn,” “comfort those … in need of comfort,” and valiantly “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.”

Read the complete talk here