WHAT IS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS?
By definition, a “disciple” is “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” The word “disciple” is related to the word “discipline,” which means “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). In simplest terms, then, a disciple of Jesus is someone who personally accepts Jesus’ teachings and shares those teachings with others, the end result being a total — albeit ongoing — transformation of both beliefs and behavior. True, saving faith involves much more than mere mental assent to certain facts. It involves placing our complete trust in Christ, and then living for God rather than self. Faith and faithfulness are inseparable: salvation joins us both to Christ and to fellow Christians, and the Holy Spirit “nurtures the initial response of faith to the gospel message into a continuing life of joyful praise and obedience to God (Rom. 1:5; 16:26), and loving service to the neighbo
The Christian life is a learning process (John 6:45 and Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 11:28-30) and a disciple is a student. But in the New Testament it’s meaning is a little bit different than today. In the days of Jesus there were masters (teachers) and disciples (students) but they did not sit in classrooms like we do today. The master taught in practical ways. He walked with his students. He showed them how to do things. That’s why the word disciple in the New Testament is often translated “follower”. It was the same with Jesus. And the word disciple could very well be translated as “apprentice”. Imagine a master mechanic and his apprentice. The “master”, in this case, would teach his apprentice how to use some tools, how to repair some problems. The apprentice hears and observes the teacher doing this. Afterwards he takes the tools and imitates his master’s work. He is a disciple (apprentice, learner, follower, student) of the teacher (master mechanic). Disciple is the most used term
