Bible Questions Answered:
“...so who then is a disciple of Jesus?
Dottie/ Charlotte, Carolina U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
All Christians are called to be disciples of the Lord.
Luke 14:26-33 KJV
26 If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple*.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.
*Disciple-Greek-Mathetes (Math-ay-tes): A learner, i.e. a pupil, disciple.
(Abingdon/Strong Concordance of the Bible.)
Marks Of Discipleship:
Self-Denial:
Luke 9:23,24 KJV
23 And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.
“Others may...,” but as a Christian, our life is dedicated, separated unto the Lord.
Galatians 5:24,25 KJV
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Cross Bearing:
Romans 8:13 KJV
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify* the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
*Mortify-Greek-Thanatoo-(Than-at-o-o): To Kill (Literal or figurative), become dead, (cause to be), put to death, kill, mortify.
(Abingdon/Strong Concordance of the Bible)
Matthew 10:37-39 KJV
37 He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.
I Peter 2:21 KJV
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:
A Life Of Service:
Matthew 11:30 KJV
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
A yoke speaks of service (shoulders to the harness).
There cannot be a Christian, who is not involved in the service of confession or labor for his Lord.
Romans 10:10 KJV
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 15:8 KJV
Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.
John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.
Followers Of The Lord.
John 8:31,32 KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Matthew 4:19 KJV
And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Again, to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus is to be a witness of His life saving blood.
John 10:27-29 KJV
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
29 My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.
