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Who is a Disciple?
Written by on January 28, 2014
We have talked about being a Christian, the basics. Its not just professing that you are Christian, others should recognize you as a Christian. They will see your “fruits” of witnessing, evangalizing the gospel, “recruiting” for Christ, being a disciple of Christ, and willing to die for Christ.
Being a disciple is a tough thing. According to the W.E.B. Vines Dictionary, a disciple is the following:
Disciple: lit., “a learner” (from manthano, “to learn,” from a root math–, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor), in contrast to didaskalos, “a teacher;” hence it denotes “one who follows one’s teaching,” as the “disciples” of John (Matthew 9:14); of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:16); of Moses (John 9:28); it is used of the “disciples” of Jesus
(a) in a wide sense, of Jews who became His adherents,John 6:66; Luke 6:17, some being secretly so, John 19:38;
(b) especially of the twelve Apostles, Matthew 10:1; Luke 22:11, e.g.;
(c) of all who manifest that they are His “disciples” by abiding in His Word, John 8:31
(d) in the Acts, of those who believed upon Him and confessed Him, John 2:11, 6:29, 6:35, 9:35, 12:11, 12:36, 12:44, 20:31, etc.
(e) A “disciple” was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher; cp. John 8:31; 15:8.
Looking at the definition given above for Christians, item (b) will apply to no one living today. Item (a) would apply for a select group, Messanic Jews. I met a lot of them when I went to Isreal for a few weeks, and there are several communities stateside (in the US). For the rest of us, items (c) – (e) would apply, which are the hardest for all of us, believers (both Jew and Gentile) to meet.
Abiding in His Word
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. .John 8:31
Jesus, the Christ, said that we must abide in His Words, then we are truly His disciples. That word, the truth, will free us from the bondage of sin. To abide means stay or to continue to be present in. That last definition really challenges me. Are we continually present in the Word of God. I know that it is difficult to meditate and to constantly remind yourself what the Word says about a particular situation, emotion, or relationship. But to get to that point of continually being present in the Word, we must first study the Word. For me, I set aside time every morning to read, and to digest. That time can be anywhere, with technology, you can read the Bible on your phone or tablet while you are on the train, waiting in line. Where ever you are, but you must make time for it.
Believing in Jesus
Throughout the New Testament, there are urgings for us to believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Many of us know the scripture John 3:16, “For God so loved the word that he gave His only begotten Son, so that Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Believing in Jesus is not only important for discipleship, but for salvation.
Jesus said, “Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” (John 12:44-45). Being a disciple of Christ, also means believing in Jesus. Because when we believe in Jesus, we are also believing in the Father. Jesus is God in flesh and bone. Romas 10:8-10 states, ” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ” Believing in Jesus means more than believing that He existed. It means believing that he died for our sins, and that he rose again. It is believing in all His words, and doing as He commanded.
Imitators of Christ
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Imitating Christ requires a maturity and understanding and application of His Word. Paul (nee Saul) was a student of the Torah, but didn’t come to full understanding untilhis conversion. It requires us to love as Christ loved, care for the poor, orphans, and to reach those outside of our normal circles. It requires prayer and dedication, and the willingness to die. We can use the gospels to follow Christ’s life on earth. Jesus faced suffering (Hebrews 4:15), and gave us a pattern to live by, which would be pleasing to God (1 Peter 2:21-25).
In 1st Corinthians 11:1, Paul’s command to “imitate Christ” is given under the premis of self-sacrifice, of put others above ourselves. Pauls stats we are to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14); that is rejecting the world and our sin-driven desires. Emulating the character of Christ is only possible when we begin:
- thinking as He did,
- putting the spiritual welfare of others before ourselves,
- rejecting the sin nature,
- and turning to the Word and the Spirit of God for our strength.
Conclusion
It may seem easy to become a disciple, but to remain one has a cost. The cost of discipleship is something I will explore later. But in the review, do you see yourself as a disciple? Are there areas you can improve? I know for myself this journey of blogging (an act of obedience) has revealed that I am growing in spiritual maturity, but there are so many ways I can do better.