
ADULT STS LESSON 129: JESUS CALLS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES
MEMORY VERSE: “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth
Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me” (John 1:43).
TEXT: John 1:35-51
The text opens with John the Baptist pointing two of his disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God. While they gazed at Him, he exclaimed: “Behold the Lamb of God!” He was consistent in reiterating the message he had preached earlier about the person of Christ. His commitment to this truth was borne out of a personal revelation from the Father concerning the Lord (John 1:32,33). John’s disciples responded immediately and intelligently by following the Saviour.
His consistency in preaching the saving truth drew many, even from among his own disciples, unto Christ. Reconciling lost souls of men to the Saviour was the sole aim of his ministry. When believers are faithful in preaching Christ as the only Saviour of the world, sinners will believe and follow Him. They will also be willing to share their new found faith with their relations and others. John brought Andrew and Andrew brought Peter, who preached on the day of Pentecost and over 3,000 people became saved. But it all started with a simple God-given message: “Behold the Lamb of God!” Believers should learn to be committed to the unchanging truth of the gospel repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection for our salvation. It is such continued commitment that will bring the expected numerical and spiritual growth in ministry and the kingdom of God.
1.CONVERSION OF SEEKING DISCIPLES (John 1:35- 45; Matthew 9:14; Luke 11:1; Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-3; John 1:38-45)
“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37). John’s message clearly focused on the primary purpose of Christ’s coming to the world (John 1:29,35,36; Luke 19:10; Matthew 1:21; 11:28; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 15:3). It alluded to the Old Testament system of animal sacrifice for the forgiveness and cleansing of sin.
The lamb which Abraham used in Genesis as a substitute for Isaac his son was for a man (Genesis 22:13). The Passover lamb used in Exodus by the Israelites for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was for a nation (Exodus 12:2-13), but Jesus Christ came as the Lamb of God for the whole world. Since lambs in the Old Testament meant for sacrifice were all slain, John the Baptist expected his Jewish audience who were acquainted with that temporary ordinance to understand His message about Christ’s impending sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the whole world.
Prior to the coming of Christ, John had many disciples Of all his disciples, only Andrew and one other readily believed and followed Christ. Other disciples of John repeatedly heard him say he was not the Christ but they preferred to remain wedded to the old order. Such people ignorantly ignore Christ’s ministry of salvation, healing and deliverance as they exclude themselves from the benefits the Lamb has procured for them through His crucifixion and death.
Though John fulfilled his ministry and did not hide anything from anyone, there were still people who would not listen to him. They missed the fellowship of the apostles, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and the full revelation of Christ. Believers should not be discouraged when they preach to a crowd of people and only few get converted. There are different ways people get converted. In the case of Andrew, he heard from John, believed and followed Christ. Andrew brought Simon his brother to Christ.
Jesus spoke to Philip directly to follow Him; He also called Matthew and Paul. After his encounter with Christ and conversion, Philip found Nathanael and shared the testimony of his new-found faith with him: “…we have found him, of whom Moses and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). However, Nathanael in his response doubted saying, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:46).
Apollos, one of the disciples of John who was fervent in spirit but knew “only the baptism of John” later received full knowledge and became a follower of Christ as he “mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ”. We can get the needed experience we yearn for if only we make our hearts ready for the word of God. From our text, there are some useful lessons believers in Christ can learn:
one, John introduced Christ to all his disciples as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29,35,36).
Believers must equally introduce Christ to sinners as the only Saviour who pardons and forgives sin. We are to exalt Christ and not ourselves, church or ministry.
Two, two disciples of John followed Christ immediately; so, believers should make efforts to train converts to become true followers of Christ.
Three, after Andrew’s conversion, he sought his brother Philip and brought him to Jesus. Likewise, saved and sanctified believers should endeavour to preach the life-changing gospel to their relations in order to win them to Christ.
Four, just as Philip asked Nathanael to “Come and see” the Saviour, believers must persuade sinners to enter relationship with Christ.
Five, as Nathanael became convinced, convicted and transformed as he encountered Christ the Saviour, our messages should be preached persuasively to bring conviction, conversion and transformation to the sincere seeker.
Six, we must tell sinners that Jesus is the only solution to their problems and through Him alone they can get saved and make heaven.
A wonderful evidence of the recipient of true salvation by a believer is his zeal to share his new found faith with others especially those of his household.
2.CONVICTION OF A SINCERE DOUBTER AND THE MAKING OF DISCIPLES (John 1:45-49; 21:2; Matthew 4:19; Luke 6:12-16; Isaiah 6:1-9; Mark 3:13-19; Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Matthew 28:18-20)
Nathanael was a sincere doubter. As Philip preached to him about Christ, his response was: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” He doubted because the Jews held Nazareth and the entire area of Galilee in contempt (John 7:52; Matthew 2:23). But Philip did not give up on him. His response was most appropriate. “Philip saith unto him, Come and see”.
As he followed him and saw Jesus, his doubts were cleared. He acknowledged Christ without compulsion. He said, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel”. Thus, after this encounter, a transformation took place in his life. He became a cleansed convert; a consecrated Christian; a devoted disciple (John 21:2); a faithful follower; a witnessing worshipper; a sanctified saint; and, a submissive servant. Nathanael’s experience shows that contact with the Saviour results in genuine repentance and pardon for sin.
Despite the unpleasant disposition of the people to the Word we preach, we should not be deterred or discouraged. All who desire to profit by the word of God must beware of prejudices against places or denominations of men. Before Christ’s departure to glory, He charged the church to make disciples of all nations. A disciple is a disciplined student of the Lord.
He is both a follower and at the same time a learner that has some distinguishing characteristics like, one, devotion to the Lord with determination and commitment to follow Him.
Two, a decision to follow the Lord, which is not influenced by public opinion.
Three, in spite of difficulties and oppositions, a resolve not to modify the truth to please the flesh, friends and relatives.
Four, ability to know when to talk and when to keep quiet.
Five, grace to bear the cross without complaining.
Six, a life devoid of hypocrisy, insincerity and deception.
Seven, a disciple, busy, working in the Lord’s vineyard. Discipleship is a vital and integral part of the great commission. It cannot be complete without the teaching, training and maturing of converts to become spiritually established, developed, equipped and capable of withstanding trials of faith and winning others to Christ (Mark 3:14). All believers must get involved in winning souls and discipling the whole nation by organising crusades and outreaches and planting more churches.
3.COMPREHENSION OF CHRIST’S DIVINITY AND OUR STEADFAST DEVOTION (John1:50,51; 2:5-10; 4:29,49-53,69; 5:5-9; 6:19-21; 8:56-59; 9: 1,7; 11:39-44; Proverbs 4:18; Daniel 11:32; Matthew 25:20,21).
When Nathanael came to Jesus, He called him an “Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” He was inquisitive to know how Jesus knew him. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” (John 1:48). Christ’s omniscience is here revealed. He knows us by name and is well-acquainted with our character (Jeremiah 1:5). He knows our faithfulness and unfaithfulness, strength and weakness, abilities and frailties, progress and setbacks, joys and ridicules, oppositions, persecutions and difficulties, steadfastness and wavering, good works and evil deeds.
After Christ’s revelation of his true character of sincerity and frankness, Nathanael became a consecrated and devoted follower of Jesus till His appearance to His disciples after death, burial and resurrection (John 21:2). Although Nathanael heard Philip preach Christ, he discovered Christ himself. There are many benefits we enjoy by believing and becoming devoted to Christ. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (verses 50,51).
Christ’s promise to Nathanael that he would see greater things was fulfilled. When He turned water to wine, he was there; he was there when Christ said to the noble man: “Go thy way; thy son liveth”. He also witnessed the healing of a man with infirmity for thirty and eight years; he saw Jesus walking sea at Capernaum, etc. As promised, every day of his life was full of surprises. Similarly, greater spiritual perception, surprising creative power, supernatural manifestation, greater Christian experiences, divine demonstrations, greater personal possibilities, protection and preservation and fulfilment of the promises of God attend the life and ministry of steadfast and devoted believers.
Thus, we must come to Him, call on Him, confess to Him, cleave unto Him, continue, consecrate and conquer through Him. Though following the Lord is not a bed of roses, those who are committed and steadfast in their devotion to the Lord shall see heaven’s glory and be rewarded.
Questions for review:
1. What should be the content of a believer’s message to the world?
2. What can believers derive from John 1:29,35,36?
3. What is the place of prayer in the choice and appointment of disciples to Christian service?
4. Who is a disciple? 5. Mention four distinguishing characteristics of a true disciple.
6. What challenge can you find in the attributes of Nathanael?
7. Explain the divinity of Christ.