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.
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