Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

In answer to a few questions, the word disciple is used throughout the New Testament and has several different meanings. This is because of the use of the Greek and Aramaic languages. We find the twelve men Jesus called to follow Him and travel with Him called disciples and we also find those who chose to believe in Jesus as their Savior called disciples as well. There is a huge difference between the two.

 

The original Twelve Disciples gave up everything they had in total commitment and obedience to Jesus. However, in the Book of Acts, we read that all those who became believers in Jesus were also called disciples of Christ. These people believed and were followers but they did not totally surrender everything to Him. They came and went, so to speak.

 

We also read in the Book of John that some of His disciples (followers) left the church and never came back. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. I find it very interesting that God would cause this statement to be addressed as John 6:66. Three sixes, the very number of the Antichrist whose mission it is to draw people away from Christ and will one day work to destroy the entire Body of Christ.

 

At any rate, the point is that we must do our homework when reading and studying the Word and dig deep into the actual meaning of certain words because they all don’t mean the same thing. Personally, I believe God wants us all to be totally surrendered to His Son and the Body of Christ like the original twelve Jesus chose for Himself.

 

In the Book of Acts (which we are currently studying) the word disciples always pertains to all believers in Christ no matter their level of commitment and surrender. Please keep in mind while every Word in the Bible is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, (2 Timothy 3:16) it was written by different people in various languages and at times, the meaning of words got changed in the translation to English.

 

The bottom line is that every born-again believer in the Finished Work of the Lord Jesus Christ is a Disciple (believer and follower) of Him. The degree of commitment and surrender is individual in nature but we absolutely know that God’s Will is that we are totally sold out to Him.

 

Total surrender to Jesus will…...….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

I’m all in!          Doreen

 

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