Step Five
What is a Christian?
What do you think it means to be a Christian? What are some differences you observe between Christians and non- Christians?
This section will answer “What is a Christian?” and “How would my life change if I became a Christian?” The Bible tells us many incredible ways someone’s life changes when they become a Christian. A Christian is:
a child of God
forgiven
loved
justified
sanctified
born again
chosen
redeemed
reconciled
free
saved
a new creation
and more!1
A lot could be said about all of these amazing realities. But let’s focus on one fundamental and practical aspect of what it means to be a Christian.
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus.
WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?
Generally speaking, a disciple is a learner, a follower, a student, or an apprentice. Disciples follow a master, a teacher, or a way of life. For example, in today’s society, a craftsman or an artisan may accept a disciple who will apprentice under the master until the disciple acquires the skills and knowledge of the master. In first-century Palestine, where Jesus lived, religious teachers of the Old Testament called “rabbis” accepted disciples like spiritual protégés.
Likewise, Jesus invited people to follow him, which was a way to invite someone to become one’s disciple.
MARK 1:16-20, 2:14
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. ... And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
Later, after Jesus rose from the dead, he commissioned his disciples to make disciples (disciples of Jesus, not disciples of themselves).
MATTHEW 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Have you ever acquired skills or knowledge in a way similar to apprenticeship? What are some characteristics to learning in this way?
WHAT KIND OF RABBI WAS JESUS?
In some ways, Jesus’ calling of disciples resembled the traditional rabbi- disciple relationship in his cultural context. However, in many more ways, he broke the mold.
For example, Jesus invited his disciples into a close relationship. He loved them and called them his friends.2 Jesus was more than a teacher, he was the embodiment of God, and he was the True King of God’s Kingdom. For disciples of Jesus, he is called not only their teacher; they call him their Lord and God.3 For Jesus’ disciples and for us today, the way of Jesus is not merely one of many different ways to live; it is the genuine way to be truly human. Jesus requires anyone who would become his disciple to submit every aspect of their life to his authority.
LUKE 9:23
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”4
WHAT KIND OF DISCIPLES DID JESUS CALL?
Though Jesus’ standards for his disciples are high, anyone and everyone are invited to become his disciple.
Typically, rabbis only accepted the best of the best as their disciples— the social elites, the wealthy, and the intellectually advanced. Jesus, however, sought and invited men and women of all social classes. Jesus even called people who were considered religious and social outcasts and people that society labeled irredeemable “sinners”—tax collectors and prostitutes.
Therefore, Jesus’ election of his disciples was unconditional. And that is still how he invites people to follow him today—by undeserved grace.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-29
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
In order to become a disciple of Jesus, you do not have to pass a strenuous Bible knowledge exam, demonstrate good moral character, or perform charitable deeds. Becoming a disciple starts with believing in Jesus and confessing him as your Lord.5
HOW CAN WE FOLLOW JESUS TODAY?
We might be able to imagine what it was like for Jesus’ disciples to follow him while he was physically present on earth. They traveled with him and ate with him. They did everything with him. They could listen to his teaching, ask him questions, and watch how he lived so that they could imitate him. But what about today? How can we follow Jesus as his disciples if we cannot see him or hear him?
The answer is that Jesus is present with his disciples today in the person of the Holy Spirit. Shortly before Jesus was crucified, he spoke to his disciples about this.
JOHN 14:16-23
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Jesus taught that after he rose from the dead and ascended to the Father, his presence would continue with his disciples through the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus said that his presence with us through the Holy Spirit is better than his physical presence with us.6
This is why, after Jesus returned to heaven, in the book of Acts, Christians still called themselves disciples of Jesus. That might have been odd to some people—how can you be a disciple of a dead person who isn’t here anymore? But in fact, Jesus is not dead, he is alive, and he was there with his disciples then, just as he’s here with his disciples today. As he said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”7
How does the concept of Jesus’ continuing presence with his disciples impact your impression of what it means to be a Christian?
WHAT DOES LIVING AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS LOOK LIKE PRACTICALLY?
Being a disciple can be summarized in three areas:
be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and join Jesus in his work.
BE WITH JESUS
The first goal of a disciple is to be with Jesus all the time, similarly to how disciples in the first century would strive to be at their rabbi’s side. In reality, Jesus is always with his disciples. The problem is disciples often become distracted. This goal is really all about growing in awareness of Jesus’ presence with us.
In his earthly life, Jesus knew the importance of finding quiet times and places to be with and pray to God his Father.
MARK 1:35
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Likewise, Jesus called his disciples to both join him in his work and to simply be with him.
MARK 3:14
And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach...
Occasionally, Jesus invited his disciples to come away with him to rest in his presence.
MARK 6:31-32
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
Disciples of typical rabbis sought to be with their rabbi so that they might acquire his knowledge and skill and one day leave him to become a rabbi themselves. In contrast, Christians never graduate from Jesus! Rather, because of who Jesus is, when disciples are with Jesus, they are with God. And being in a special relationship with God is what humans were made for.8
The practice of consciously being in Jesus’ presence is part of the Biblical concept of abiding in Jesus.
JOHN 15:4-5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.9
Disciples of Jesus can practice being with Jesus through prayer, reading God’s Word (the Bible), and worship.10
Have you ever experienced an awareness of Jesus’ presence? What was your experience like?
BECOME LIKE JESUS
The second goal of a Christian is to become like Jesus. Like a student of a rabbi would try to imitate his rabbi’s way of life, so disciples of Jesus seek to live as Jesus lived. Living (walking) like Jesus flows naturally from being with (abiding in) Jesus.
1 JOHN 2:6
...whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Christians grow in ever-increasing Christ-likeness—speaking, acting, thinking, and feeling more like Jesus every day. Growing to be like Jesus is not merely about becoming a more ethically or morally upright person. It is about living in a more genuinely human way. Because Jesus is the embodiment of God and the truly human one, his way of life is the perfect example of what it means to be truly human—to love God and to love others.11
Becoming more like Jesus is not about earning God’s love or salvation. Jesus accepted us and called us to be his disciples just as we were. We are not saved by becoming like Jesus, but we are saved in order to become like Jesus.12
Becoming like Jesus happens through a process of transformation by the work of the Holy Spirit. This is a gradual process over one’s lifetime. In the New Creation, Christians will perfectly reflect the glorious image of Jesus.13
The power for transformation comes from the Spirit, but disciples create the environment where the Spirit will do his work. It is as if disciples prepare the wood, and the Spirit lights the flame. Living by faith in the gospel, devotion to Biblical teaching, pursuing Christian fellowship, and practicing spiritual disciplines are four key elements for spiritual transformation.14
JOIN JESUS IN HIS WORK
The third goal of a disciple is to join Jesus in his work in the world. Jesus came with a mission—to establish the kingdom of God. As the True King of God’s kingdom, he fulfilled his unique task of inaugurating the kingdom by dying for sins and rising from the dead. Though the kingdom has begun, it must now spread on earth as it is in heaven.15 Jesus is still at work in the world today, through his Holy Spirit in his church, advancing the kingdom of God.
Disciples join Jesus in his work in various ways. Here are three:
Making disciples - Where God is acknowledged as King, people will trust his forgiveness in Jesus, honor God as God, and love others. Disciples carry on Jesus’ mission by making disciples.16 This includes proclaiming the gospel, baptizing believers, and teaching disciples to obey the way of Jesus.
Justice & Mercy - Where God is worshiped as King, injustice is eliminated. Disciples advance the kingdom’s cause of justice, not through force or violence, but in the same way Jesus did—love and self-sacrifice. Disciples live justly, speak to God about the injustice they see (prayer), and speak with love to others about injustice around them (stand up for the cause of the oppressed).
Where God is King, the hungry are fed, outcasts are welcomed in, the lonely are befriended, the sick are cared for, and the naked are clothed. Disciples show mercy by helping those who are in need.17
Vocation - Jesus extends the goodness of his kingdom on earth through our daily vocations—our jobs! Whether you are a teacher, an accountant, a shop owner, or a mother of small children, your daily work is a part of Jesus’ work. As a disciple you can do your work in a way to join Jesus in his work fulfilling the unique role God gave to humanity.18
Often all three of these aspects of Jesus’ work, making disciples, justice & mercy, and serving in our vocation, are connected. As we proclaim the good news, pray for justice and practice showing mercy, and work our jobs we join Jesus in his work of advancing his kingdom in the world.19
Our motivation for joining Jesus’ work is not earning God’s acceptance or boasting in our good works.20 Disciples have experienced God’s gracious work in their own lives.21 Joining Jesus in the same saving work is a grace. As we join Jesus in his work, we get to be a part of God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
As you read this Step, were there any points where you felt you strongly wanted to follow Jesus? Which points prompted this and why?
How would your life be different if you became a disciple of Jesus?
Jesus is inviting you to become his disciple. Will you follow Jesus?
Look again at the following questions from Step 3 and consider if you would like to become Jesus’ disciple.
Do you believe in the one true God, Creator of all things?
Do you believe that Jesus is the embodiment of the one true God and the world’s True King (the Christ)?
Do you believe that you have sinned and deserve just punishment from God?
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
Do you confess Jesus as your Lord?
Do you repent of your sins? Do you want to be baptized and walk in newness of life?
If you answered yes to the questions above, tell a Christian friend or a pastor, and ask them about guiding you through Beginning to Walk as a Disciple: A Baptism Preparation Guide (page 129).
1 John 1:12, Ephesians 1:4-6, Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 6:11,Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:18, John 8:36, Ephesians 2:8,2 Corinthians 5:17
2 John 15:13-15
3 John 20:28
4 Luke 9:57-62
5 Romans 10:9. To learn more, see: Beginning to Walk as a Disciple: A Baptism Preparation Guide.
6 John 16:7
7 Matthew 28:20
8 Being in God’s presence is what was lost because of sin. Jesus came as the personal presence of God and through him we are restored to the presence of God—now through his Spirit with us, and eventually God will make his dwelling with humans on earth in the New Creation!
9 John 15:1-8, 17:24
10 There are many ways to practice being in Jesus’ presence. Prayer, Bible reading and worship are three basic and foundational ways. To learn how to practice these steps of discipleship, see Next Steps.
11 Matthew 22:37-39
12 Ephesians 2:8-10
13 Romans 8:29-30, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:12-13
14 These are important topics that are discussed in more depth in Next Steps.
15 Matthew 6:10
16 Matthew 28:18-20
17 Matthew 25:31-46
18 See Step 1 and 4, Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15, 1 Peter 2:9-12, and Next Steps.
19 See Next Steps
20 Ephesians 2:8-10
21 Matthew 18:33