What Is a Disciple?

This article was originally published here, on February 22, 2009.

And Jesus came and said to them, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:18-20).

This passage is often called the "Great Commission." It sets the parameters of the Church's mission. The Church exists to glorify God. How does it accomplish that? The Church glorifies God by making disciples through the proclamation of the gospel. What does a "disciple" look like? Matthew 28:18-20 does not explain what a disciple is, only how we make one. However, Jesus said,"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Thus, a disciple is defined as one who dies to self and imitates Jesus. Paul expresses it well in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Jesus again states, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-27). Here Jesus is using hyperbole, an overstatement to catch people's attention. He isn't actually calling us to "hate" anyone. He wants us to understand that our love for him should make all of our other love to seem like hate. The greatness of our love for Jesus should make our other loves look small in comparison.

A disciple is someone who has turned away from sin (repentance) and who has placed their trust in Jesus' person and work for salvation (faith). Thus, having turned from sin to Jesus Christ, they must learn how to be like Jesus. This fact brings us back to the Great Commission. Now that they have been converted, the believer should be baptized and taught to obey everything Jesus commanded.

How did the early recipients of this commission put it into action? In other words, what did a "disciple" look like in the early church? Luke gives us an excellent picture in Acts 2:42, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." This description of the early church gives us some important features we should have in our own situations. First, there was a commitment to the teaching of the apostles. That teaching would include everything that is now included in the New Testament. Second, there was a commitment to fellowship. The term fellowship means that they existed in community; that they held things in common. Third, they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. The early church often ate together daily and would celebrate the Lord's Supper after these meals. Finally, they were devoted to prayer.

Bringing all this together, let me venture a definition: A disciple is one who has abandoned the way of sin, has trusted in Christ's work and person, and who has devoted themselves to following Christ. By faith they have denied themselves, took up their cross, and followed Christ. Their life is characterized by a commitment to sound doctrine, a commitment to a mutually edifying life in the community of faith, a commitment to right worship, and a commitment to prayer. I realize this definition is incomplete, but its a good start. What do you think a disciple should look like?