Why we no longer call ourselves 'disciples of Christ'

[mystdancer50]

Do you ever wonder why we are called 'Christians' and 'servants' and 'followers' and no longer 'disciples'? This became clear to me one day a year or so ago and I just thought about it today.

The term 'disciple' means follower of person or idea: somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion.

So, by that definition, we are disciples, yes? Why, then, is that word no longer used to define Christians today?

The main thing with being called a disciple requires one to be willing to be disciplined. What? That's right. This is one of the reasons many do not label themselves as such. Today, the church runs rampant in sin and compromise and, ultimately, they shun discipline. Yet, the Bible tells us that we must embrace the discipline of God.

Hebrews 12:5-13 (verses will be shared at the end) tells us that we should not scorn or spurn discipline and correction, but rather welcome it, for the Lord chastens the one He loves.

For lack of discipline, we see a world in chaos, we see an impure bride of Christ, and we see lukewarm followers of the Lord. I want to be Christ's disciple. I want to be loved as a daughter and corrected as a loving Father would correct His daughter. What about you?

NOTE: I am not endorsing nor in any way referring to the religious group Disciples of Christ. I believe that all of us that profess to be Christians should also be disciples, regardless of your denomination.

Scripture: And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; for the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.

You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?

Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all].

Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?

For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness—in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees, and cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured.

Hebrews 12:5-13, Amplified

 

[Anonimous]

We are to be disciples...life long disciples. A disciple is someone who learns from another...whether Christian or not. I believe that whether we have been a Christian for a year or 10, 20, or even 50 years we are still to be learning. If someone believes they have reached the point in their life where they are no longer open to learn...or have no desire to learn...they are simply a "pew warmer".

 

[IloveyouGod]

We are actually God's Children n' he's our loving Father.

Do you ever wonder why we are called 'Christians' and 'servants' and 'followers' and no longer 'disciples'? This became clear to me one day a year or so ago and I just thought about it today.

The term 'disciple' means follower of person or idea: somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion.

So, by that definition, we are disciples, yes? Why, then, is that word no longer used to define Christians today?

The main thing with being called a disciple requires one to be willing to be disciplined. What? That's right. This is one of the reasons many do not label themselves as such. Today, the church runs rampant in sin and compromise and, ultimately, they shun discipline. Yet, the Bible tells us that we must embrace the discipline of God.

Hebrews 12:5-13 (verses will be shared at the end) tells us that we should not scorn or spurn discipline and correction, but rather welcome it, for the Lord chastens the one He loves.

For lack of discipline, we see a world in chaos, we see an impure bride of Christ, and we see lukewarm followers of the Lord. I want to be Christ's disciple. I want to be loved as a daughter and corrected as a loving Father would correct His daughter. What about you?

NOTE: I am not endorsing nor in any way referring to the religious group Disciples of Christ. I believe that all of us that profess to be Christians should also be disciples, regardless of your denomination.

 

[nathan3]

I think anyone that follows Christ can be called disciple . The word is interesting in the Greek.

μαθητής

mathētēs

math-ay-tes'

From G3129 ; a {learner} that {is} pupil: - disciple.


μανθάνω

manthanō

man-than'-o

Prolonged from a primary {verb} another form of {which} μαθέω {matheō} is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way): - {learn} understand.


You can be called a disciple if your "disciplined" in study of God's word. Maybe look at all instances the word is used.

 

[cfultz3]

Do you ever wonder why we are called 'Christians' and 'servants' and 'followers' and no longer 'disciples'? This became clear to me one day a year or so ago and I just thought about it today.

The term 'disciple' means follower of person or idea: somebody who believes in and follows the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion.

So, by that definition, we are disciples, yes? Why, then, is that word no longer used to define Christians today?

The main thing with being called a disciple requires one to be willing to be disciplined. What? That's right. This is one of the reasons many do not label themselves as such. Today, the church runs rampant in sin and compromise and, ultimately, they shun discipline. Yet, the Bible tells us that we must embrace the discipline of God.

Hebrews 12:5-13 (verses will be shared at the end) tells us that we should not scorn or spurn discipline and correction, but rather welcome it, for the Lord chastens the one He loves.

For lack of discipline, we see a world in chaos, we see an impure bride of Christ, and we see lukewarm followers of the Lord. I want to be Christ's disciple. I want to be loved as a daughter and corrected as a loving Father would correct His daughter. What about you?

NOTE: I am not endorsing nor in any way referring to the religious group Disciples of Christ. I believe that all of us that profess to be Christians should also be disciples, regardless of your denomination.

Very interesting. Glad you made this post, it had me thinking. It is interesting to note how people do not want to be labeled as a disciple. And I am sure the reason for that is that it would give the notion that they do not have all the answers. Human pride certainly gets in the way. I suppose they want to be the one who says, "Come and follow me".

 

[dcontroversal]

I like the thought of being a (learner of one's doctrine or teaching) and like to teach it this way....

1. A disciple is a learner of one's teaching or doctrine.
2. A true disciple is a learner and practitioner of one's teaching and doctrine.

One reason that the word is no longer applied is the simple truth that most who name Christ never pick the bible up to learn what it has to say, but rather they sit in (church) from one to three times a week and mostly daydream about...

1. What's for lunch
2. Wonder what ball game is on today
3. Oh good Billie Sue and Jimmy are coming over for a barbeque
4. Fill in the blank...............

Instead of paying attention, storing up what was taught, studying the scriptures on their own to be considered more (honorable) etc...

 

[GodIsSalvation]

Love this post. Though I would make an argument that we still do call ourselves and eachother Disciples of Christ just in a more modern terminology. The word Christian means Follower of Christ. A disciple is a learner and thus a follower. So technically the term Christian still means disciple of Christ. It's just a lot quicker to write I suppose.

 

[mystdancer50]

I think anyone that follows Christ can be called disciple . The word is interesting in the Greek.

μαθητής

mathētēs

math-ay-tes'

From G3129 ; a {learner} that {is} pupil: - disciple.


μανθάνω

manthanō

man-than'-o

Prolonged from a primary {verb} another form of {which} μαθέω {matheō} is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way): - {learn} understand.


You can be called a disciple if your "disciplined" in study of God's word. Maybe look at all instances the word is used.

How many Christians read their Bibles? How many have actually read them all the way through? How many are disciplined in the desire to study, know, be familiar and devour the Word of God? So, even here, how many can truly be called disciples of Christ? I seek to be so called.