An important question since Christian and disciple are the same thing in the New Testament Church.
25: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.Acts 11:25-26
So until the time the Church was founded at Antioch the believers were simply "disciples" of Jesus. Then actually all through the book of Acts thats what they are called by its writers.
Why is this relevant?
If a Christian and a disciple are one and the same we need to examine ourselves whether we are one.
What must you do do be a DISCIPLE?
25: And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27: And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29: Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30: Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31: Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32: Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33: So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 26-33
So when you tell people how to become a Christian do you tell them about the requirements to be one?
Not for me, thanks. And my family is not about to be divided over this issue, as commanded by Christ in Matt 10:35-37. Not even the believers in my family will obey that, thank goodness. Very few will, I suppose. I hope not, anyway. Broken families over religious differences are very sad.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
An important question since Christian and disciple are the same thing in the New Testament Church.
25: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.Acts 11:25-26
So until the time the Church was founded at Antioch the believers were simply "disciples" of Jesus. Then actually all through the book of Acts thats what they are called by its writers.
Why is this relevant?
If a Christian and a disciple are one and the same we need to examine ourselves whether we are one.
What must you do do be a DISCIPLE?
25: And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27: And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29: Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30: Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31: Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32: Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33: So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 26-33
So when you tell people how to become a Christian do you tell them about the requirements to be one?
Good point.
The fact is that there ARE COSTS for being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not free. There are costs. How do we know that? Because Jesus taught about "counting the cost".
Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth ambassadors, and desireth conditions of peace. Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Now God doesn't want you to hate your father and mother, etc; but I believe what this is teaching is that your love for God must so outweigh your love for your family etc, that by comparison, it is almost like hate.
When the RICH young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus required something of him that he was unwilling to give up and so he went away sorrowful. Now right now I'm not convinced that Jesus requires that everyone sell what they have and give to the poor, but Jesus knew that he was a RICH young ruler and so maybe Jesus knew that what he would need to do to have success in living for him would be to give up his riches. Perhaps Jesus knowing the end from the beginning could see that if he didn't give up his riches, it would cost him dearly later. I know that is speculation, but what we do know for sure is that Jesus required something of him at that point that he was unwilling to pay and went away sorrowful.
While we may not have to give up everything that we have to be saved, I believe that we have to be willing to give up everything that we have if He requires it.
While some "churches" that are lacking may try and tell people that its free, the truth of the matter is that it will cost you to live for Jesus, but it will be worth it.
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
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Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...
The fact is that there ARE COSTS for being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not free. There are costs. How do we know that? Because Jesus taught about "counting the cost".
Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth ambassadors, and desireth conditions of peace. Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Now God doesn't want you to hate your father and mother, etc; but I believe what this is teaching is that your love for God must so outweigh your love for your family etc, that by comparison, it is almost like hate.
When the RICH young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus required something of him that he was unwilling to give up and so he went away sorrowful. Now right now I'm not convinced that Jesus requires that everyone sell what they have and give to the poor, but Jesus knew that he was a RICH young ruler and so maybe Jesus knew that what he would need to do to have success in living for him would be to give up his riches. Perhaps Jesus knowing the end from the beginning could see that if he didn't give up his riches, it would cost him dearly later. I know that is speculation, but what we do know for sure is that Jesus required something of him at that point that he was unwilling to pay and went away sorrowful.
While we may not have to give up everything that we have to be saved, I believe that we have to be willing to give up everything that we have if He requires it.
While some "churches" that are lacking may try and tell people that its free, the truth of the matter is that it will cost you to live for Jesus, but it will be worth it.
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
That says it all, doesn't it? I guess there are very, very few disciples of Christ in the world. Are there any on this board? Has anyone forsaken all they have?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
That says it all, doesn't it? I guess there are very, very few disciples of Christ in the world. Are there any on this board? Has anyone forsaken all they have?
Good question... does anyone here live under a bridge and only post on AFF while using the computer at the library?
And are you really bearing your own cross if you continually ask Jesus to fix things for you?
Not for me, thanks. And my family is not about to be divided over this issue, as commanded by Christ in Matt 10:35-37. Not even the believers in my family will obey that, thank goodness. Very few will, I suppose. I hope not, anyway. Broken families over religious differences are very sad.
Do you pick and chose what parts of the Bible you will agree with and perhaps implement in your life?
What do you think is meant by being at odds with family members over faith in Christ? I think a Muslem who converts to Christianity will be at odds with his/her family members. Or a Jew who accepts Jesus as the Messiah.
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
Re: Are You A Disciple?
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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