Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?

 

According to https://www.gordonconwell.edu/, there are about 2.6 billion Christians in this world and now over 8 billion people on this planet, and that equates to 32.5% of the earths population! So if all these people are really Christian, shouldn't we be seeing evidence of great unity, love, peace, health and prosperity? 

That's what we read in scripture isn't it? The disciples were all together and had everything in common, giving to each one who had need, eating together, serving together, loving each other, and holding to the teachings of the apostles, who were taught by Jesus Himself.

Acts 2:40-47

"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Why don't we see the signs and wonders being done by God amongst the people through His chosen vessels? Don't people still need healing and deliverance? Why don't we see the 2.6 billion believers together with ALL things in common? 

Let me tell you why! Because those believers are not being made disciples of Jesus and they are not being baptized with the Holy Spirit! If they were, then the whole world would be hearing about the great works of God every single day on CNN and every news network on the planet!

Anybody can say they are a Christian, but can you say I am a disciple of Jesus? I have been born from above by the Spirit of God and the Kingdom of God is within me? That's what Jesus said must and would happen to those who took up there cross and followed Him.

It's easy to say 'I'm a Christian', 'I believe in God', but it's extremely difficult to be a disciple of Jesus, to hate your life in this world, to deny yourself daily, and to come out of this world and be separate. That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. 

Luke 9:23

"Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

The word Disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master. (Merriam Webster)

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, Mat 9:14; of the Pharisees, Mat 22:16; of Moses, Jhn 9:28; it is used of the "disciples" of Jesus (Vines Expository Dictionary)

John 8:31-32

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

So you see, Jesus didn't make Christians, or those who follow Him, He called people and made them Disciples. Those who left everything behind and followed Him, those who changed their lifestyle, their old way of thinking about themselves, others, and the world. 

Christian: a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent of Jesus, was first applied to such by the Gentiles and is found in Act 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16.

Though the word rendered "were called" in Act 11:26 (see under CALL) might be used of a name adopted by oneself or given by others, the "Christians" do not seem to have adopted it for themselves in the times of the Apostles. In 1Pe 4:16, the Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the persecutor; cp. "as a thief," "as a murderer." Nor is it likely that the appellation was given by Jews. As applied by Gentiles there was no doubt an implication of scorn, as in Agrippa's statement in Act 26:28. Tacitus, writing near the end of the first century, says, "The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius, been executed by the Procurator, Pontius Pilate" (Annals xv. 44). From the second century onward the term was accepted by believers as a title of honor. (Vines Expository Dictionary)

The International Church Of Christ was founded by Kip Mckean around 1979 to 1980, he was mentored by a man named Chuck Lucas who led a campus ministry with a vision of making disciples. The ICOC was an offshoot of the Church of Christ and at one point had a membership of 125,000. I myself was a member of the ICOC for a number of years and was baptized in water confessing Jesus as my Lord, but one vital thing was lacking, I was never baptized in the Holy Spirit! 

And therein lies the problem with anything started by man, they tend to leave out the supernatural part of being a disciple of Jesus. In the case of the ICOC, Kip Mckean believes the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only for the first century believers and the apostles, which is a cessantionist belief. And when you do something by the flesh, ultimately it will fail, but if it be of God, it will not be overthrown or overcome unless it's God's express will or to fulfill His word.

I have learned that being a Disciple of Jesus is very different from being a Christian, they are essentially two different words with different meanings. Which one are you? A Disciple or a Christian?

I am a Disciple.

Abiding In His Word,

Tyrone