Christians Or Disciples

CHRISTIANS OR DISCIPLES

     And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been  given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 28:18-19

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.  Acts 11:26.

Many people want to call themselves Christians, but how many are true disciples of Jesus?  Discipleship pre-dated the name Christian, by some  accounts about ten years.  In the ministry of Jesus the apostles were called disciples more times than they were called apostles.  After the  establishment of the church the followers of Christ were known as disciples.

So what is a disciple?  Is being a disciple any different than being a  Christian?  A disciple is defined as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.  The name disciple comes from the root word  discipline.  Discipline involves training.  As a noun it means being trained to obey rules or a code of behavior.  As a verb it means to train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior.

When Jesus called the twelve to be His followers He was making disciples of them.  They were trained to obey His rules and follow His code of behavior.  In turn they were to train others to do the same.  Paul taught this same principle to Timothy in II Timothy 2:2.   “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others.”  This is what Jesus meant when He commanded the apostles to make disciples of all the nations.  In other words… make disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples.

As noted, Christians were known as disciples years before they were called Christians.  They were making disciples who were making disciples who were making disciples.  Disciples is what Jesus wants us all to be.  If we are not truly His disciples we have no right to call ourselves Christians.