The four Gospels and the book of Acts use the word "disciple" often. What is a Christian disciple, and how can we become one?
Answer:
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Words describes a disciple as "not only a pupil, but an adherent...spoken of as imitators of their teacher." Disciples did not simply acquire knowledge from their teacher; rather, they learned to be like him.
This fits with what we read in ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. Christ tells those who would be His followers, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31). Those who follow His word as a way of life are His disciples—that is, true Christians. Paul, a disciple of Christ, urged the Corinthians to "imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Ultimately, however, we must remember that we are disciples of God and not of man. We can follow the example of others so long as it agrees with the example of Christ, but our goal must always be to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
Nobody has commented yet. Be the first to kick off the discussion!