The New Testament often distinguishes disciples from members of the crowds who followed Jesus because of the miracles He performed. Disciples certainly were followers of Jesus, but not all followers were disciples.
Tragically many people in churches today believe themselves to be Christians but are not living as disciples of Jesus. In some cases, this is because they are Christians in name only and have not yet come to saving faith.
This had some precedent in Jewish traditions but was also unique to the early Christian Church and the way that the faith was spread. So, all apostles had been disciples, but not all disciples would become apostles.
A Christian disciple is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). A disciple is first a believer who has exercised faith (Acts 2:38).
The New Testament often distinguishes disciples from members of the crowds who followed Jesus because of the miracles He performed. Disciples certainly were followers of Jesus, but not all followers were disciples.
These five themes are: (1) Walking with Jesus, (2) Knowing and Living the Scriptures, (3) Participating in Community, (4) Engaging with Those Who Don't Know Christ, and (5) Reproducing Spiritual Generations.
Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). In another instance Jesus teaches that if a follower wants to be great, then that follower needs to take the position of a servant.
Some common synonyms of disciple are adherent, follower, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.
Here's what He said, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.
But Jesus expanded its meaning by saying that everyone who truly believes in Him is called to be a disciple. “Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples'” (John 8:31, NIV).
Discipleship is not constrained by age, gender, ethnic origin, or calling. Through our individual discipleship, we, as Latter-day Saints, build up a collective strength to bless our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to being His disciples with all diligence.
The Gospels record that women were among Jesus' earliest followers. Jewish women disciples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, had accompanied Jesus during his ministry and supported him out of their private means.
Faith in Christ is the basis for both believers and Disciples of Christ. The observance of the commandments of God, namely, the love of God and love of neighbor are essential for both of them. But the believer goes beyond the faith and observance of God's commandments. The Disciple of Christ, literally, becomes Christ.
So if you believe Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour then you are a Disciple. I am a disciple. An Apostle was specifically chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel after his death and resurrection. The twelve apostles mentioned above were Jesus' closest disciples.
The first sign of a genuine apostle is that they have a call to this ministry and that this call has been received directly from God and confirmed numerous times through other more mature and seasons apostles and prophets. The apostle can only be appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ and so this is the first sign.
The word “followers” in Ephesians 5:1-2 literally translates to “imitators” from the Greek word mimetes (mim-ay-tace). Imitation means copying, emulating, or reproducing something. For us to imitate God, we must set out to know God intimately and to discover how to become more like Him.
theist vs.
A theist is the opposite of an atheist. Theists believe in the existence of a god or gods. The word deist refers to someone who believes in God. But a deist believes that while God created the universe, natural laws determine how the universe plays out.
God calls us to know him.
God calls people “into the fellowship of his Son” (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are called “saints” (Romans 1:7). We can now live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15), freedom (Galatians 5:13), holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7), and patiently wait with endurance (1 Peter 2:20-21).
Instead, Micah listed out the three principles of what God asks of His people: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him.
The spiritual follower, holds him or herself accountable to a higher power or force, defined and inspired through a personally, culturally and socially constructed spiritual paradigm that in turn influences and motivates responses, actions and decisions within an organizational context.
Some were called Ebionites, some are called Nazarian, and some are called Hebrews. There were differences among these groups, but what unified them was a commitment to the ongoing importance of the practice of Judaism for the believers of Jesus.
A true disciple is not just involved but is committed to take up his own cross and follow Jesus to the very end. That is a complete and lasting commitment as described by Dr. Lee, "Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow."
A disciple is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus and committed to the mission of Jesus. We always come back to this definition when we talk about disciples. If the people are following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus, then they are biblical disciples, as we understand it.