Marks of a Disciple:
They continue in the word of Christ...
1) "To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." (John 8:31) If you look in many Bibles there are some words in red in the New Testament; these signify, "Jesus said it."
They show the love of Christ...
2)"A new commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another, All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
They are fruitful in their walk with Christ...
3)"This is to my Fathers’ glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)
They are single-minded in their service for Christ...
4)"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matt. 6:24)
There is no rival for their devotion to Christ...
5)"If anyone comes to me and does not hate is father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26) The words "does not hate" here means, "refuses to let go of".
They follow Christ through thick and thin...
6)"Anyone who does not bear his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)
They are not in love with the things of the world...
7)"In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33)
Great crowds came to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. They only planned to stay until the end of the celebration then go home. But strange things happened; 3,000 were converted and baptized into fellowship of believers. The Apostles invited them to stay in Jerusalem. They needed to be discipled, trained, and equipped to take their place in the ranks as soldiers of Christ.
When I’m on a trip, if I stay 1onger than I p1anned I will run out of money. This is exactly what happened to many who stayed in Jerusalem. But everyone shared what the pilgrims needed clothing, food, and shelter.
Apostles did their part diligently by their example and their teaching. "Day after day in the temple courts and from house to house they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." (Acts 5:42)
MARKS OF A DISCIPLE
Jesus said, "Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple." (Luke 14:27 The Message)
A few moments later he continued, "Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it goodbye, you can't be my disciple." (Luke 14:33 The Message)
The song states, "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?"
In 2 Timothy 2:3 Paul tells Timothy, "Endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Isaac Watts, a preacher in the early 1700’s, would preach then sing a song written for the congregation titled, "Remedies Against Fear"
"Be on your guard; Stand firm in the faith." (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Consider the examples of believers down through the ages and many, many today who are imprisoned for their faith.