What Does It Mean To Be A Disciple Of Christ

Great Commission and Acts

The specific command of Christ, called the Great Commission in the Bible, is to make disciples of all nations. Its constitutent parts are: going to the nations, preaching the gospel, baptizing in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching to obserce all that Jesus taught.

The Great Commission unfolds practically inthe Book of ACTS , unpacking practically what it means. The Holy Spirit, through the penmanship of Luke, chronicles what Jesus began to both do and teach in two volumes.  The first one, the gospel of Luke, outlines what He did while on earth as a human being. The second one, the book of ACTS, what He did, after He rose from the dead and ascended to the Father, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

ACTS traces the spontaneous expansion of the gospel from Jerusalem to the then ends of the earth, Rome. It shows how the Great Commission expanded and was expounded by the followers of Christ, by life and word. Under aegis of the Holy Spirit, the gospel outgrew its Judiastic beginnings to become a worldwide gentile phenomenon, through the establishment and multiplication of churches.

The book of the Acts should truly be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, for in it you see Him at work, constantly. He leads, guides, restricts, protects, preserves, besides authenticating the disciples of Christ through signs, wonders and miracles. He is the true central Figure in the narrative, always honoring and elevating the Hero of the gospel story, Jesus!

Character and Characteristics of Disciples 

The book is also aptly named as the Acts of the Apostles for they and churches actively cooperate and coordinate with the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission. The early church and its members were fully conversant with, and totally submitted to the Holy Spirit, always sensitive and attuned to His voice!

Taking our cue from this book, and clues from both the individual and community lives of the disciples as illustrates therein,  here is what it means to be His follower(s):

As Individuals

• We’ve signed up to follow His teachings and work it out in our lives as His apprentices.
• We owe Him our loyalty and our allegiance, since we’ve made a covenant agreement with Him, through His blood.
• As we belong to Him since He has purchased us, we’re no longer our own, or anyone else’s.
• So, we seek to live to please Him alone, every day, everywhere, every time, and in everything.
• Every decision in life, whether it’s related to personal, family, work, career, friends, we submit to Him.
• We don’t take or make unilateral decisions, but  lay down our will for His, always
• Change, or metamorphidzo becomes the one constant in our life as we work and cooperate with Him to become like Him, daily.
• Discipline and training, though often unpleasant, are natural part of our lives, for they produce in us the fruit of righteousness and peace.

Family Concerns 

• The fruit of the Holy Spirit, and not just His gifts, become evident in all our interactions with people.
• Loving others above ourselves becomes the continued outcome and expected result as we seek to love Him fully, in spirit, soul and body.
• Our spouse and our children should be able testify to this, and we must seek to serve them in love and humility.
• We showcase the nature of Christ, first of all to those in our family, and then then to others outside it.
• By our gracious conduct we impress our families so that they also learn to follow Him, willingly and wholeheartedly.
• We teach them to respect and honor all those in authority, and those who are seniors in age and experience, by our own example.

Practical Matters

• Being wise in financial matters is a given, and we do not participate in quick-rich schemes or find shortcuts to make money or acquire wealth, neither do we covet others’ goods, or cheat anyone put of their possessions.
• In our place of work, we have to be known for industry, integrity, excellence, and sound character, not laziness, sloppiness, or tardiness!
• We will not be dishonest or untruthful, or disrespectful, being careful to exhibit Christ in our workplace in word and deed, for we begin to do everything as unto Him.
• Being wise in financial matters is a given, and we do not participate in quick-rich schemes or find shortcuts to make money or acquire wealth, neither do we covet others’ goods, or cheat anyone put of their possessions.

Community Conduct

• Neglecting or missing the gathering together of the community of faith is not in our books, and we seek to serve the household of faith by our gifts and talents, as well as our wealth.
• Being accountable to those in the Body of Christ is a basic trait we cultivate, and we receive correction as much as we expect and receive care.
• Careful and guarded to do nothing out of vain conceit or selfish ambition or competition, in humility we value others above ourselves.
• We seek to build the church and not destroy it by gossip or rebellion or contributing to divisions and dissensions.
• Learning to be generous, we give of our money, time, effort, talents, and abilities to bless not curse those who are part of us.
• Being impeccable and unimpeachable in our dealings and behavior with those of the opposite sex, we’re careful not to malign the name of Christ nor bring disrespect to it.

Forward to the End

• Always conscious and convinced of the coming of the Lord, we live watchfully and soberly so that we can stand blameless before Him on that day.
• Knowing the wrath of the Lord, we give ourselves urging and winning others to Christ, helping them become part and parcel of His family.
• We seek to be His ambassadors on earth to usher others into His Kingdom so that they too may enjoy His patronage and parenthood along with us!

Being a disciple of Christ is not just believing in something, but practically experiencing God and His life right now. John Ortberg laments: Somewhere along the way, the power and the promise of the gospel has been lost. We’ve shrunk it down by making it solely about going to heaven when we die, and in doing so, we’ve shrunk God down too. We have often preached a gospel that does not naturally call for “knowing God,” a gospel that does not naturally call for disciples.

As the days for His coming, and the signs of it are becoming more and more evident, may we live as thise of the Early church lived.

May we not give excuses for our misconduct or misbehavior!

May we honor Him Who called us to be His own, and give joy to Him Who died for us!

*A good follow-up reading: Church, a landmark presence