Disciple is somebody that hears and obeys the words of the Guru. The Greek word for disciple ‘mathetes’ was derived from the root word ‘manthano’ which means ‘to learn’. Hebrew Rabbis also gathered and taught many disciples. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear the duty of the disciple in 50: 4- “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ears to listen like one being taught”. The one who accepts the teachings is a disciple- Disciples of John the Baptist (Matt. 9: 14; John 1: 35), Disciples of the Pharisees (Matt 22: 16; Mark 2: 18; Luke 5:33); Disciples of Moses (John 9: 28). The important name of the first Christians was disciples. This word has been used 30 times in the book of Acts alone. The main message in Jesus’ Great Commission was also to ‘make disciples’ (Mat 28:19). The believers of the first century were not just known as believers but disciples (Acts 6: 1; 20:30). During Jesus’ public ministry there were quite a few disciples to follow him and learn from him.

1.The Eligibility to become Disciples (John 1: 35- 42)
Jesus had many disciples in different areas. These include the Jews (John 6: 66; Luke 6: 17), secret disciples (John 19: 38) and Apostles (Matt. 10: 1; Luke 22: 11) who became his followers. Jesus has instructed certain eligibilities to become His disciples- should obey the word of God (John 8: 31; 13: 35; 15: 8) should believe in Jesus and take it to heart (Acts 6: 1, 2, 7; 14: 20, 22, 28; 15: 10; 19: 1). Andrew who was John’s disciple became Jesus’ disciple. The next day he went and brought his brother Simon Peter. Thus Peter became Jesus’ disciple. ‘Come and see’ is what Jesus told Andrew (John 1: 39). The one who learns from Jesus is a disciple. God has made certain comments about his teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus points out 6 times the difference of his teachings from that of the Old Testament by saying “You have heard… but I tell you” (Matt. 5: 22,28,32,34,39,44). Since these are renewed words it is New Testament. Theologians are of the opinion that the revelations and teachings before Jesus were partly and the one after are just timely interpretations (Hebrews 1: 1,2; Matt 5: 17, Galatians 3: 23- 26).The Apostles’ teachings can only be seen as interpretations of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus himself has said in John 16: 13, 14 that “He [Holy Spirit] will not speak on his own… He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you”. The ‘disciple’ came from the word ‘discipline’. A disciple is one who gets disciplined. Discipline should be received from the Guru Jesus to become disciples.

• One who stands on my word (John 8: 31, 32)
• Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Matt. 24: 30)
• Why do you say ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice (Luke 6: 46, 47)
• If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14: 23)
• The man who says, “I know him” but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him (1 John 2: 4)

2.Disciples of the New Testament (Romans 16: 3- 16)
We understand from Romans 16: 3- 16 that many men and women in the New Testament Church were disciples of Jesus. All those who stand in the words of Christ can become his disciples. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8: 31, 32). The word ‘abiding’ has ‘obedience’, ‘training’ and ‘to make practical’ as its meaning. As said earlier, it is not enough to just learn his word but obey it. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves” is what James taught us (James 1: 22). “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6: 46). There are people who think that it is not practical to obey Jesus’ words. But as Sadhu Sunder Singh said it is like climbing a ladder. Once you step into the first step you can climb the next one. It is impossible to climb the last step from the first step all at once. Obedience- step by step. That is how we grow as much as Christ, the head. The one who obeys the words of Christ becomes His disciples.

3.Preparation to become Disciples (1 Kings 19: 11-21)
God chose Elisha after Elijah. Elijah threw his cloak on Elisha. He left his cattle and ran after Elijah. In time he became Elijah’s disciple and later a prophet (1 Kings 19: 11 -21). In Luke 14: 25- 34 we see another important eligibility to be a disciple. Other disciples have also written about this self- sacrifice- Matt 10: 37- 39; Mark 8: 34- 38. What Jesus said -unless a kernel of wheat dies- has been recorded by John in John 12: 24.The main eligibility to be Christ’s disciple is also this. When Elisha desires for Elijah’s anointment, he also learns this. Here it is not according to Elisha’s will but he is willing to go wherever Elijah goes (2 Kings 2: 1-15). Like John’s attitude “He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3: 30), those who are willing for self- sacrifice are Christ’s disciple. Another important eligibility for discipleship is to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit is what is said in John 15: 8. Fruit shows our actions. We can identify through the fruits, is what is taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7: 16-20). John the Baptist preached “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3: 8, Matt. 3: 8). The action of repentance is what is meant. Apostle James also reinstates this (James 3: 12). Jesus talks about the choosing of the disciples in John 15: 16- “…to go bear fruit- fruit that will last.” The actions of practical life in itself are the fruits. (Gal. 5: 22, 23). The first fruit of the Spirit is love. We become Christ’s disciples when we love one another (John 13: 34, 35). This stands above all other qualities for in it contains the whole scripture (Gal. 5: 14). We have also an example set to love one another –‘like how I loved you’. John in his first letter has elaborately discussed about this ( 1 John 4: 20). Jesus who said that 2 commandments are important, gave this commandment saying that he is giving one commandment. When we love one another like how Christ loved us we become His disciples.