We are followers of Christ (II)
This article continues to answer the question that we dealt with earlier, “What distinguished Christ’s disciples?
(4) The disciple says, “I follow Christ” 1 Corinthians 1.12. There is debate about what Paul meant in this text, ending the sentiments of the factious Corinthians with the phrase, “I follow Christ.” He said this after mentioning his own name, and the names of Peter and Apollos.
By this phrase, “I follow Christ,” some see legalism on the part of the “righteous” or “proud.” This seems difficult, however, because later Paul wrote, “For there must be differences among you, so that it may be known which of you are approved” 1 Corinthians 11.19. It is difficult to imagine Paul criticizing those who insisted on belonging to Christ.
There is a suggestion that the last phrase is from the apostle himself. He would be saying: You belong to parties of men, but I follow Christ! This way of understanding the phrase seems the best.
(5) The disciple makes disciples ─ not of himself, but of Christ. (This is implied in the Great Commission, Matthew 28.18-20.) The disciple does what Jesus did: make disciples. Someone taught me; I will teach others.
The disciple produces the fruit of discipleship. When Andrew was called to follow Jesus, he called his brother Peter, John 1.40-42, and Philip called Nathanael, John 1.43-46. Jesus expressed the principle this way: “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” John 15.8. NRSV
Bible translator W.N. Pickering observed: “I understand the Lord to be saying here that His recognition of us as His disciples will depend on our bearing much fruit” (2023, 190).
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