The True Disciples of Christ

By: Sustines Laplana
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:24:38
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Every Christian Churches or Sects are claiming that they are true disciples of Christ. They believe in Christ and have faith in Him, call upon His name and done wonders or miracles in His name. However, we will notice that each of these groups or sects have their own doctrine and practices which contradict with each other.

And to identify the true disciples of Christ among these groups or sects, let us ask the Bible and we'll let the Bible answer our questions.

Our first question is: Who are the true disciples of Christ? In John 8:31, Christ clearly said, "if you abide my word, you are My disciples indeed".

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. (John 8:31,NKJV)
In other words, those who abide the word of Christ are His true disciples.

IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

What is one of the words of Christ that His true disciples obeyed? The true disciples of Christ obeyed the command of Christ to enter by Him:
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9, ibid)
And those who entered Christ became parts of His body.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:27, ibid)
The body of Christ is the Church.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18, ibid)
The Church he built by Himself and he called it as "My Church".
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18, ibid)
It is not the Roman Catholic Church, nor any Protestant Churches, nor any Professing Christian Ministries, but it is the Church of Christ.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The[a] churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16, ibid)
Thus, those who are true disciples of Christ are members of the true Church of Christ.

IN ONE TRUE GOD

What else did Christ taught which the true disciples of Christ accepted, believed and obeyed? It is the teaching of Christ regarding the true God. According to Christ, the Father is the only true God.
1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, ...3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:1,3, ibid)
Did the true disciples of Christ learned this truth from Christ? Yes. Infact Apostle Paul, one of the true disciples of Christ taught this truth to His brethren as recorded in I Corinthians 8:6:
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. (I Corinthians 8:6, ibid)
According to the apostle, for them there is only one God, the Father. Why did Apostle Paul said that "for them there is only one God, the Father"? It is because those who do not belong to their group do not know this truth.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. (I Corinthians 8:7, ibid)
What organization did the Apostle Paul and His followers belong? They are members of the Church of Christ (I Corinthians 12:4-5, Colossians 1:18 and Romans 16:16).

Is the Father of whom Christ introduced as the one true God, Christ Himself? No, the Father who is the only true God is not Christ Himself but the Father of Christ and the Father of His disciples, the God of Christ and the God of His disciples.
17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'" (John 20:17, ibid)
CONCLUSION

Therefore, we can find the true disciples of Christ in the true Church of Christ who believe in the one true God, the Father. These are the two of the characteristics of the true disciples of Christ.

If you think you are already member of the Church of Christ, but your Church teaches Trinity or Triune God, then your church is not yet the true one. If you want to become true disciple of Christ, you must find the true Church of Christ who uphold the teaching that the Father is the only true God.

About The Author:

Sustines Laplana is a Pinoy Blogger who blogs on Technology, Gadgets, Information, Society, Religion and Review on Products available for online purchase. Visit him at http://www.selaplana.com.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Religion category

  • Role played by Church retreat in our daily life - By: Ron Victor
    Within each one of us lies the desire to know the meaning of our lives. At some point of time man strives to analyze the reason for his birth and his duties towards the Almighty. Not all of them get the answers for these questions by themselves; some of them need to be guided by persons who know the answers; or persons who will guide us to find these answers.
  • The Path of Divinity - By: Rita Jain
    Spirituality is not something that can possibly be circumscribed with religions, cultures or art, but yet it finds expression through these modes. Our generation fully understands this reality and so puts on their best to unveil the spirituality that is hidden in all relics of the world.
  • Christianity – The Religion that is Not - By: Michael Bresciani
    In the seventeenth chapter of Matthew the Apostles Peter, James and John were with Christ when he suddenly was transfigured (glowing or glorified) and was seen talking with Moses and Elijah. Instead of trying to hear what was being said between Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Peter decided that building a shrine to commemorate the event would be a better idea. A voice came from above that changed Peters mind and is still changing minds to this day.
  • What is Peace - By: Syed Masrur
    He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King, the Holy, the Giver of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him). [ Al - Quran - 59.23 ]Peace is something that everyone wants probably more than anything else.
  • The Broad and Narrow Way of Life - By: Kimberly Jackson
    Matthew 7:13 and 14: Enter through the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.Imagine a gate before you. Once you enter through this gate, the way is either broad or narrow.
  • Bat Mitzvah: A Jewish Female's Celebration of Coming of Age - By: Gail Leino
    The female equivalent of Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, is the rite of passage between childhood and becoming an adult female, in the Jewish faith. At approximately the age of twelve, Jewish females become Bat Mitzvah. At this time, she becomes responsible for herself and her life decisions, both inside and outside the church.
  • Jesus Isn't A Brand Name - By: Glen D. Williams
    Even in the third grade, everyone at my elementary school knew the cool boys wore Converse All-Stars, Levi's 501s and a pin-stripe sport shirt. Yes...it was the early 60's!
  • My Love Affair With Jesus in Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now Lyrics by Starship - By: Matthew Robert Payne
    Lookin' in your eyes I see a paradise This world that I found is too good to be true Standing here beside you, want so much to give you This love in my heart and I feel it for you Let 'em say we're crazy, I'll give a path Put your hands in my hand baby don't ever look back Let the world around us, just fall apart Baby we can make it if we're heart to heart And we can build this thing together Standing strong forever Nothing's gonna stop us nowWhen I first came to love this song it was at an Amway convention when they blasted out songs and showed slides of cars, houses and holidays and the richest of possessions that we could all dream for and strive for. Sorry to bring Amway into it. May make a few of you laugh though.
  • Ted Haggard and How Evangelical Politics Helped End His Preaching Career - By: Les Herron
    When the reports of Pastor Ted Haggard's potential sexual downfall were first shouted from the rooftops of the mainstream media his religious friends (and others) pointed fingers at what was certainly political motivation.And politics were certainly a part of the why's and how's of Haggard's downfall but probably not in the way we first thought.To be evangelical and/or charismatic we must be aligned with a specific political party and vote a certain way on each 'important' issue', with importance being defined by someone in a ministry typically located outside of a local church ministry (para-church ministry).
  • Does the Qu'ran Command Endless War - By: Ray McIntyre
    After the tragedies of the 11th of September 2001 and the invasion of Iraq many people are arguing that the Qu'ran and Islam itself teaches that a state of endless war exists between Muslims and 'Infidels' (who are usually defined by these folk as being Christians and Jews.)In support of their arguments they pull quotes from the Qu'ran which seem to support their position, but do they really?In this article I want to show the deceitful way in which these folk argue, either out of ignorace on their part or from a desire to stir up hatred against folk.