Topical Bible: Unbelief: Disciples

◄ Unbelief: Disciples ►

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Unbelief among the disciples of Jesus Christ is a recurring theme in the New Testament, highlighting the human struggle to fully grasp and trust in the divine nature and mission of Jesus. Despite being chosen by Jesus and witnessing His miracles firsthand, the disciples often exhibited doubt and a lack of faith, which serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges of faith even among the closest followers of Christ.

Instances of Unbelief

1. Calming the Storm: One of the earliest instances of unbelief is recorded in the Gospel of Mark. As Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a fierce storm arose, causing the disciples to fear for their lives. Despite having Jesus with them, they panicked and woke Him, saying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38). After calming the storm, Jesus rebuked them, saying, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40).

2. Feeding the Five Thousand: In the account of the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples expressed doubt about how to feed such a large crowd with limited resources. Jesus tested Philip by asking where they could buy bread for the people, to which Philip responded with skepticism about the feasibility of feeding them (John 6:5-7). Despite witnessing the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish, the disciples struggled to comprehend the full extent of Jesus' power.

3. Walking on Water: After the miracle of feeding the multitude, Jesus walked on water to meet His disciples, who were in a boat on the sea. When they saw Him, they were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus reassured them, but Peter, in a moment of doubt, began to sink when he attempted to walk on water towards Jesus. Jesus caught him and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31).

4. Resurrection Doubts: Perhaps the most significant instance of unbelief occurred after Jesus' resurrection. Despite Jesus' predictions of His death and resurrection, the disciples were slow to believe the reports of His rising. Thomas, one of the twelve, famously doubted until he could see and touch Jesus' wounds for himself. Jesus appeared to him and said, "Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe" (John 20:27).

Theological Implications

The unbelief of the disciples underscores the tension between human frailty and divine revelation. It illustrates that faith is not merely a matter of witnessing miracles but involves a deeper trust in God's promises and character. The disciples' struggles with unbelief serve as a mirror for all believers, reflecting the ongoing journey of faith that requires reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding and conviction.

Lessons for Believers

The accounts of the disciples' unbelief offer several lessons for contemporary believers. First, they remind us that doubt is a common experience, even among those who are closest to Jesus. Second, they encourage believers to seek a deeper understanding of Christ's teachings and to rely on the Holy Spirit for faith and discernment. Finally, these narratives highlight the patience and grace of Jesus, who continually guided and corrected His disciples, leading them to a mature and steadfast faith.

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Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
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Mark 4:38,40
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say to him, Master, care you not that we perish?
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Luke 24:41-45
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have you here any meat?
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Library

The Incredulous Disciples
... The two appearances to Mary Magdalene and the travellers to Emmaus are
introduced mainly to record the unbelief of the disciples. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the incredulous disciples.htm

The Cause of Unbelief.
... a lie and be damned." The men who are the champions of unbelief, such men as ... seven
times, five in his public discourses, and twice to his disciples, by the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cause of unbelief.htm

Christ Cures a Demoniacal Youth after the Disciples had Attempted ...
... were full of hope that He would do what his disciples had failed ... because they still
felt no higher than corporeal wants; because their unbelief still demanded ...
/.../section 187 christ cures a.htm

Ministry
... Jesus looked about Him upon the awe-stricken multitude, the caviling scribes, the
perplexed disciples. He read the unbelief in every heart; and in a voice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 47 ministry.htm

"Peace be unto You"
... heard the reports of the others, and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen;
but gloom and unbelief filled his heart. As he heard the disciples tell of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 84 peace be unto.htm

The True Sign
... There was danger that the crafty reasoning of the Pharisees and the Sadducees would
leaven His disciples with unbelief, causing them to think lightly of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 44 the true sign.htm

Whether Apostasy Pertains to Unbelief?
... the contrary, It is written (Jn.6:67): "Many of his disciples went back ... 65): "There
are some of you that believe not." Therefore apostasy pertains to unbelief. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether apostasy pertains to unbelief.htm

Christ Tells the Disciples the Cause of their Failure. --The Power ...
... After this experience, so important in view of the coming independent labours of
the disciples, they asked of Christ, "Why ... "Because of your unbelief; [515] for ...
/.../section 188 christ tells the.htm

The Age of Absolutism and Unbelief
... CHAPTER VII THE AGE OF ABSOLUTISM AND UNBELIEF. ... If by means of this principle Luther
and his disciples could reject certain doctrines and practices that had ...
/.../chapter vii the age of.htm

Promise of the Holy Ghost. --Concluding Words of Comfort to the ...
... The Holy Ghost will convince the world of sin, and show that unbelief is the ... Christ
had many things to say of his doctrine which the disciples were not then in ...
/.../section 277 promise of the.htm