The word “disciple” in an of itself simply means “follower of Jesus” in the Scripture. There are at least three ways the Bible speaks of disciples of Jesus though according to the context in which the word is found.
First, the Bible uses the word “disciple” in a very general, unspecified way simply to describe those who followed Jesus from a distance or from the wrong motivation, and as a result, eventually they no longer follow Jesus but turn from Him and His teachings. Tragically, turning from Jesus means turning from their only hope of life and salvation. We might call these “false disciples” because it appears for some time that they are true followers of Christ. But when they turn away from Christ, their true status before the Lord is revealed. We see a startling example of this in John 6. In v64 Jesus tells the whole group of His disciples, “there are some of you who don’t believe,” and sadly we read in v66, “After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” God help us and grace us all that those words never be spoken of us!
Second, the Bible uses the word “disciple” in another general way to describe all true believers, all those who have truly entrusted their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin and new life in Him. All true believers are followers of Jesus Christ. We desire to follow Him as our Lord. We love Him for being our Savior. He is utmost in our affections. We deeply really believe that in all things, Christ Supreme. We see an example of this in Acts 11:26 where it reads, “in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” In the very early days of the NT church, the word “Christian” came to replace the word “disciple,” and they both mean the very same thing, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you have embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, you are a true disciple.
Third, the Bible uses the word “disciple” in a very specific way to describe those first followers of Jesus, who would live and minister with Him during His three year ministry, would sit at His feet often to receive His teaching, would witness His resurrection and ascension into heaven, and would be given the office of apostle to spread the Gospel, oversee and/or write the inspired NT documents, and establish the church.
Now we know we are not among the original 12 disciples. The question we must answer though is are we among the fair-weather, temporary, “false” disciples or are we among those who cling to Christ for life and salvation?
