The Multiplication of Disciples
Acts 6:1 (NLT)
“But as the believers rapidly multiplied…”
Jesus came to establish His Kingdom on earth. He began to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven had come near. Many followed Him, becoming His disciples — men and women whom He trained and then sent out to make disciples of all nations.
Jesus gave us a task known as the Great Commission. This is not an instruction that ended with the apostles, nor is it only for pastors and ministers. It is a command for the entire body of Christ — and it involves you and me. We all know someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus — or maybe someone who has heard about Him but is not yet experiencing the life that Jesus has for them. What I mean is that it’s not always necessary to look for a stranger to start discipling; discipleship requires a relationship.
We know the truth that has set us free. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Brothers and sisters, the truth that you know — the truth that set you free — is the same truth that others need to hear so they too can experience and come to know the freedom that Jesus purchased for them.
Loving our neighbor is not just about being kind to them or avoiding difficult conversations so we don’t offend or hurt them. The greatest expression of love is found in God’s example. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Our greatest expression of love toward others is to share the Gospel — to bring the good news into their lives. Yes, we can start with good actions and kindness. Paul also said that our gentleness should be known to all men. But we must always believe God for opportunities to open our mouths and share the Gospel.
Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” For people to believe in Jesus, they must hear. Our good works alone are not enough; we must believe God and look for the opportunity to speak and share the Gospel.
I want to encourage you to make a list of people around you who need to know this truth. Pray for them daily. Believe God for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. Create intentional moments: invite them for coffee, to your house, or somewhere you can have that conversation about Jesus.
Sometimes the enemy lies to us, telling us that we can’t do it or that we don’t know enough. But brother or sister, you have heard the Gospel, you have received the gift of salvation, and the message you have is sufficient and powerful to save. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.” And if someone ever rejects the message you bring, remember — they are not rejecting you; they are rejecting Jesus Christ.
We are His feet and His voice on this earth, and we have a clear message: Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day, conquering death and bringing righteousness to all. So now, brothers and sisters, let’s get to work. Let’s look for someone who needs to hear this message. Let’s make disciples.
The Bible says in Acts chapter 5 that the Gospel was shared daily in the temple and from house to house. I’m not saying you need to open your house every day, but if you open your home on Monday, and I open mine on Tuesday, and we all do the same — opening our homes and sharing the Gospel — disciples will multiply. That’s what we see in Acts chapter 5, and in chapter 6, verse 1, it says, “And the number of disciples multiplied greatly.”
So I leave you with this challenge: pray to God, look around you, and begin to make disciples.