Many times, in the introduction of some celebrity，it is narrated that the person is a disciple or a student of another celebrity. If we were the student of a famous person or a Nobel laureate, we would surely talk about it and feel proud about it. To be a student of someone academically means that one’s research must have been influenced in some way by the teacher, or that one has built on the theories of the teacher in a more brilliant way, or that one has been inspired by the teacher to start new research. The same is true of being a disciple of Christ; our lives must be like Christ.
Do we ever hang on to the idea that we are Christ’s disciples? Or do we simply not know that we are Christ’s disciples? Are we even afraid to be known as Christ’s disciples?
Christians are God’s people by the saving grace of Christ. We do not become God’s people, but we become Christ’s disciples at the same time. The Gospels usually use the term “disciples” to refer to the 12 disciples of Jesus, but “disciple” is sometimes used to refer to followers of Jesus other than the 12, e.g., Mt 27:57. By the time of Acts, “disciple” was used more broadly to refer to those who believed in Jesus, or as the term “Christian” came to be used (Acts 11:26). Paul did not use the term “disciples” in his letters, but he used the term “saints” to refer to those who believe in Christ. He further exhorts the “saints” to grow up, even to the point of becoming perfect men (I Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:12; Col. 1:28; II Tim. 3:17). I believe this is Paul’s interpretation of a “disciple” of Christ: a believer in Jesus Christ who has been justified and sanctified by grace through the blood of Christ. Sanctification involves becoming like Christ, growing up to be fully human, with Christ’s lifestyle, thoughts, values, etc.
We should abolish the term laity. However, this does not mean that we need to abolish the priesthood. The priesthood is a gift given by Christ to the church through His authority for the building up of the body of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:1-16). Through teaching and training, we should make all believers, including the clergy, understand that we are all disciples of Christ, charged with the task of learning to be like Christ and fulfilling God’s commission. The difference between a pastor and a believer is only a difference in gifts and duties.
In the church, everyone must be a disciple. Our requirements for discipleship are: 1) to grow in commitment to Christ; 2) to grow in servanthood when we serve; 3) to grow in evangelism; and 4) to grow in the character of Christ. If we are a Christian, we must be a disciple of Christ and grow in these four areas.