Discipleship is all about following a teacher, mentor or leader. Or discipleship is a devoted, lifelong experience of following a teacher or the teachings and doctrines taught by him. Though not mentioned in name, discipleship as a phenomenon is found everywhere in the Bible, both Old and New Testament.
Discipleship is from of old. Certain prophets of old had disciples who contributed well to the success of their ministry.
Disciples of Prophet Isaiah
Like Jesus, Isaiah also had disciples. Though none of his disciples was mentioned, the Bible gives us enough evidence to believe that his disciples played a very important role in the ministry of Isaiah, and have contributed immensely to preserving the Holy Scriptures for our use today. Isaiah himself made reference to his disciples when he said,
“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my (Isaiah) disciples. (Isaiah 8:16).”
“the testimony and law” refers to the messages God has given to Isaiah, which have been written down as holy Scriptures. Isaiah entrusted his holy Scriptures to his disciples for preservation; that nothing should be added or taken away from them. Thus his disciples were the custodians of his work, the sacred Scriptures he wrote, keeping them intact. Today we have Isaiah’s Scriptures to read; thanks to his disciples.
Elisha, the disciple of Prophet Elijah
At some point, God commanded Elijah to go and anoint some three people one of which is Elisha. Elisha was to be anointed to be a prophet to succeed Elijah. 1 Kings 19:15,16
Elijah went searching for Elisha and found him plowing on the field with twelve yoke of oxen. Then having found him, Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha, meaning Elisha has been anointed to replace Elijah as a prophet when he, Elijah, is no more. Afterward, Elisha abandoned his career and his family and followed Elijah to become his disciple. Elisha faithfully followed Elijah and served him.
When the end of Elijah’s time was at hand, Elijah asked Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” And Elisha answered saying, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And Elijah said, “Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” Elisha was with Elisha even to the time he was taken away and he saw Elijah ascend by the chariots of fire and the whirlwind. Thus, Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s anointing and replaced Elijah as a major prophet of Israel. Reference 1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:1-13.
What happened between Elijah and Elisha was discipleship; Elijah taught, mentored, and led Elisha. Elisha in his turn followed, served, learned, inherited a double portion of Elijah’s power, replaced, and even continued Elijah’s ministry from where he left off. This is much like how Jesus’ disciples continued Jesus’ kingdom ministry from where He left off.
Baruch, the disciple of Prophet Jeremiah
Prophet Jeremiah was a stench in the nostrils of the political leaders of his time and he was much hated. This was largely due to the prophecies of doom that he prophesied. Jeremiah suffered so much and was often subjected to persecution; he was frequently arrested, accused falsely, imprisoned, interrogated, disgraced, and, often, there were plans afoot to eliminate him.
Against the odds, there was a man called Baruch who was not shy and singularly followed this Jeremiah who has lost favor in the eyes of the leaders. Baruch put his life on the line to serve Jeremiah faithfully; Jeremiah dictated the prophesies that the Lord had given him to Baruch and had him write them on scrolls (Jeremiah 36:4); Jeremiah made Baruch risk his life to read his prophecies of doom in the Temple of Solomon to the people (Jeremiah 36:5-10); Baruch was called by the political leaders to answer for Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:11-18); and, needless to say, Baruch shared in whatever persecution that the leaders and the people inflicted on Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:19; Jeremiah 36:26). What happened between Jeremiah and Baruch was nothing but discipleship; and Baruch, the scribe, was a disciple of Jeremiah, the prophet.
Disciples of Prophet Samuel
1 Samuel 19 gives us an account in which David went to Prophet Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. When King Saul heard of it, he sent messengers to arrest David. When these messengers got to Naioth and met a company of prophets, headed by Samuel, prophesying, the Holy Spirit also came upon them and they also prophesied and could not arrest David. Saul sent another group, then another, and then another; but they all came to Naioth to prophesy and failed to arrest David.
What matters to us in this historic account is the term the company of prophets. The company of prophets appears to be something like a school of prophets which is comprised of people who are following the ways of Prophet Samuel or who are being nurtured by Prophet Samuel. By and large, they were disciples of Prophet Samuel. 1 Samuel 19:18-24
Some Old Testament verses on discipleship
- 1 Kings 19:19-20
- Isaiah 8:16
- 1 Samuel 19:20
- Jeremiah 36:5-8