Week 4 Dialogue The Gospels
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Feb 20, 2024
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Uploaded by pjones1030
Paula Jones
23FA BIBL 255
Professor Kreischer
16 November 2023
Week 4 Discussion
Discipleship:
While reading this week, I learned a few exciting things about disciples/discipleship, including the difference between a disciple and discipleship, those who followed Jesus as disciples or out of curiosity, and the original disciples of Jesus. A disciple learns from a teacher or leader. Being a disciple means learning and practicing a person's or philosophy's teachings. Disciples are followers, while discipleship is their journey and commitment to learning. Leviticus 26:12 says, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” This compares Israel to a disciple. [1] Israel became a disciple by keeping their covenant with God. A disciple follows God (1 Sam. 12:14; Deut. 4:1-14) and walks in His ways (Deut. 10:12). Many disciples followed Jesus throughout His ministry, but twelve were chosen. Only a few remained true disciples of Jesus. “Many disciples who followed Jesus stopped following Him after a discourse that was too hard to accept.” (Jn 6:60-66). These disciples were called “loosely attached.” [3] They were drawn to Jesus' miracles but not to discipleship and lifestyle change. True disciples submitted to Christ and gave up their old lives for his. They were “curious” (not serious). [4] The biblical “multitudes” or “crowds” that followed Jesus are like those on social media. One with many followers doesn't guarantee loyalty or a relationship. You merely have “followers.”
Jesus' first disciples were originally disciples of John the Baptist. John the Baptist “prepared the way for Jesus.” The first disciples were Andrew, John, Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. Andrew persuades his brother Simon Peter to follow Jesus, and Philip, from the same hometown, converts Nathanael. Only these four witnessed Jesus Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana when He turned water into wine. (Jn 2:2;11) Also interesting was that Andrew and Simon Peter were fishing business partners with James and John. [5]
List and describe two or three structural features evident in Matthew’s gospel. What
does it say about Matthew and his purpose?
Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy of Jesus' ancestors from Abraham. Jesus' connection to Israel's history is highlighted. Matthew emphasizes Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies throughout the Gospel, confirming his Messiahship. Second, Matthew's Gospel has five major discourses, including the Sermon on the Mount. This organized presentation suggests a thematic organization of Jesus' teachings. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as a
new Moses, bringing a new covenant and teaching ethics. Finally, Matthew's Gospel mentions many Jewish customs and religions. This suggests a Jewish audience. Matthew depicts Jesus as fulfilling Jewish prophecy and continuing the Jewish faith.
These structural features suggest Matthew wrote to address a Jewish audience and present
Jesus as fulfilling Jewish expectations. While the genealogy and prophecy fulfillment emphasize Jesus' continuity with Jewish history, the organized discourses emphasize his authority as a new teacher.
Works Cited
Green, Joel B., et al. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels
. InterVarsity Press, 2013.
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