Disciples of Jesus (Part 1)

December 28, 2008, 8:43 am by dc-agape.

I am starting the Biblical Topic of what a Disciple of Jesus acts like.  The first part of this topic must include the word “christian”.  The Word only uses this word 3 times, at all other times in the New Testament the word “disciple” is used to describe the followers of Jesus.

The definition of the noun “christian” is a person who exemplifies in life the teachings of Jesus Christ.  The definition of the noun “disciple” is one who is an active adherent and embraces, assists in spreading the teachings of another person.  The first word only serves as an example; the second word is an active adherent.  There is a difference between being a “christian” and being a disciple of Christ.

The first time the word “christian” was used is in the Word is here:

^{Acts 11-25-26} Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.  So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.  The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

What this verse says to both Atheists and Christians is: the church was already very strong before the words to describe a disciple changed.  The Church in Antioch was already in full steam before the word “christian” was ever used.  This means that Jesus never used the word himself!  What this verse says to an Atheist is that the words “christian” and “disciple” should mean the exact same thing! 

The next use of the word “christian” is also in Acts:

^{Act 26:28} The Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

You must read the entire section of Acts 25:23 – 26:32 to fully understand what Agrippa is saying to Paul, but I will put it in a small nutshell.  First, Agrippa’s use of the word “Christian” is not a positive one.  Agrippa, and the other men who were to judge Paul, thought that Paul was crazy with “great learning”.  Christian was not a compliment nor was it a thing that Agrippa was interested in becoming.  It was basically a slur!  But there is another meaning to this verse.  Even Agrippa knew that it was not a short process to become a Christian.   Agrippa knew that it would take great persuasion to make anyone be a Disciple of Jesus. 

In the Word of God the word “Christian” only appears one more time.

^{1Peter 4:16} However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

I, as an Atheist, wish that all Christians would take this verse to heart and follow it!  As an Atheist and a Gay man I relish that I suffer.  It means that I am not like everyone else in the world.  In fact, it means that I have used my brain and made decisions in my life that are significant.  Can most Christian say the same thing?  The little suffering that Christians in the US suffer is minor when compared to that of the Atheist or the Gay person here in the US!   What does that tell you about being a Christian?  The whole concept of being a Christian is so watered down that it is meaningless!  I will explain as continue with the Biblical Topic of Discipleship.

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