And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
– Acts 11:26
By far the most popular term today to describe people who claim to follow Jesus Christ is the word “Christian.” The term has become a rather broad term as people ranging from Roman Catholics to Mormons now claim to be “Christians.” Everyone from politicians to actors to music artists to athletes and to everyone in between now claims to be “Christian.” The term is often synonymous with your religious background or preference rather than commitment.
Not so in the Bible. The term Christian only appears three times in the entire New Testament (despite what the New Living Translation may read). The term is found in Acts 11:26; 26:28; and in 1 Peter 4:16. And that’s it! Jesus never used the term. Paul never used the term in his epistles. John never used the term. James never used the term. And a cursory reading of the texts shows that the term is used as a derivative statement toward the followers of Christ. In other words, the term Christian in the first century Church was a word of derision.
The most popular word used by Jesus to describe those who followed Him was the term “disciple.” In fact, Jesus’ Great Commission to His followers in Matthew 28:19 was to go and make disciples. The term disciple was a popular term in Jesus’ day. Jesus had His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; 10:1-4), John the Baptist had his disciples (Matthew 9:14), and the Pharisees claimed to be disciples of Moses (John 9:28). The term disciple was the word Luke chose to use in the book of Acts to describe the followers of Jesus as well (Acts 6:1 for example). Oddly, the term disciple is missing in the Letters of the New Testament.
The word disciple comes from the Greek word mathetes. This comes from the verb manthano, to learn, hence its meaning ‘one who follows a teacher’s teaching.’ In the sense used it also implies not just one who follows teaching but also imitates the teacher. Is it any wonder then that Jesus would have His disciples and that He would instruct His disciples to make more disciples?
I prefer the term “disciple” above “Christian” for this reason. The term “Christian” has so many meanings to different people. Some think of religion; others think of politics. Yet not so with disciple. If I ask someone if they are a disciple of Jesus, I can almost always know by their answer to my question. Even your average Bible reader is familiar with the term “disciple,” and a true disciple of Jesus would no doubt know whether they are a disciple of Jesus or not.
In many ways, I agree with Alexander Campbell who led the charge for restoration of the Church in the mid 1800’s in the United States and England. Campbell felt that the term “Christian” had become corrupted in many ways by both the world and by traditions of men. He saw the thousands of denominations across the landscape and Campbell felt that true disciples of Christ should flee from the names of men such as Luther or Wesley and return to simply being “disciples only.” No more being a Lutheran or a Calvinist or an Arminian, but Campbell felt people should repent of man-made traditions and return to being disciples of Jesus only (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). He felt that Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23 needed to be acted upon and fulfilled as the Father had promised. Unity was the key word, and being a disciple of Jesus only would be the war cry.
Sadly, the movement Campbell himself launched split. How sinful are our ways! Today the “Restoration Movement” in America is split over music, creeds, and tradition. Satan has a way of working himself into our affairs at nearly every junction.
And yet I still hear Campbell’s war cry: disciples only. The term “evangelical” once replaced the term “Christian” for a number of years in the West to describe true followers of Jesus, yet sadly today many call themselves “evangelical” such as Jim Wallis and others, and yet they follow Jesus in name only and not in His doctrines. The terms “Christian” and “Evangelical” mean so little and yet so much. However, the biblical term “disciple” still holds meaning and value. A true disciple of Jesus is so hard to find these days (Luke 14:25-35) and yet that is what Jesus wants us to be and to make. Oh to be Jesus’ true disciple and oh to have a passion to make disciples for His glory and His glory alone. Oh that men and women might once again be “disciples only.”
[Link to original post and comments at Roy Ingle’s website.]
