Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "followers" often refers to those who adhere to the teachings and example of a leader, most notably Jesus Christ. The concept of following is central to the Christian faith, emphasizing discipleship, obedience, and the imitation of Christ.
Old Testament ContextWhile the term "followers" is not explicitly used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the relationship between leaders and their people. For example, the Israelites followed Moses as he led them out of Egypt (
Exodus 12:37-38). The people were called to follow God's commandments and statutes, as seen in
Deuteronomy 13:4: "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the call to follow Jesus is a recurring theme. Jesus invited individuals to become His disciples, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (
Matthew 4:19). This call to follow was not merely a physical act but a commitment to embrace His teachings and lifestyle.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of following in the context of imitation. In
1 Corinthians 11:1, he urges believers, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" . This highlights the importance of following the example of those who faithfully follow Christ.
Characteristics of Followers1.
Obedience: Followers of Christ are called to obey His teachings. Jesus emphasized this in
John 14:15: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" .
2.
Self-Denial: Following Christ involves self-denial and taking up one's cross. In
Matthew 16:24, Jesus states, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" .
3.
Faithfulness: Followers are expected to remain faithful to Christ, even in the face of trials and persecution.
Revelation 2:10 encourages believers to "Be faithful, even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" .
4.
Love: Love is a defining characteristic of Christ's followers. Jesus commanded His disciples in
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" .
Examples of Followers·
The Disciples: The twelve apostles are primary examples of followers who left everything to follow Jesus (
Matthew 19:27-28).
·
Paul: Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul became a devoted follower of Christ, spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire (
Acts 9:1-22).
·
Timothy: A young pastor mentored by Paul, Timothy is an example of a faithful follower who continued the work of the ministry (
1 Timothy 4:12).
Challenges for FollowersFollowers of Christ often face challenges, including persecution, temptation, and the struggle against sin. Jesus warned His followers of the cost of discipleship, stating, "In this world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world" (
John 16:33).
ConclusionThe call to be a follower of Christ is a call to a transformed life, marked by obedience, love, and faithfulness. It is a journey that requires commitment and perseverance, with the promise of eternal life for those who remain steadfast.
Greek
2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition... Feminine Transliteration: eritheia Phonetic Spelling: (er-ith-i'-ah) Short Definition:
ambition, rivalry Definition: (the seeking of
followers and adherents by
...3402. mimetes -- an imitator
... example. 3402 ("emulator, imitator") is always used in the NT (seven times) --
offollowers of emulating a God-approved example. The...
1401. doulos -- a slave
... Ironically, 1401 ("bond-slave") is used with the in the NT -- namely, of believers
who live under Christ's authority as His devotedfollowers....
3643. oligoreo -- to esteem lightly
... Job 5:17; Prov 3:11): "My son (ie truefollowers of the Lord), do not (3643 , negated
imperative) the training of the Lord, nor go on becoming undone when you...
4012. peri -- about, concerning, around (denotes place, cause or...
... 1), because (2), behalf (4), case* (1), cause* (1), circumstances* (1), companions*
(1), concerning (48), condition* (1), connection (2),followers* (1), help...
3588. ho, he, to -- the
... NASB Word Usage about (2), all (5), case* (3), cause* (1), circumstances* (3),
companions* (8), condition* (1), experiences (2), far (1),followers* (1), former...
466. antanapleroo -- to fill up in turn
... That is, venting their on Hisfollowers because they can no longer " or spit on
His face." So they do the "next best thing": persecute (cf. 1 Jn 4:17)....
Library
In what Sense theFollowers of Manich??us Believe Him to be the...
... Against the Epistle of Manich??us Called Fundamental. Chapter 7. "In What Sense
theFollowers of Manich??us Believe Him to Be the Holy Spirit....
Of Novatus and hisFollowers. The Novatians of Phrygia Alter the...
... Chapter XXVIII."Of Novatus and hisFollowers.... [656] Let it be noted that Novatian
was a native of Phrygia and naturally had manyfollowers in that province....
Apelles and hisFollowers, Displeased with Our Earthly Bodies...
... Chapter VIII."Apelles and HisFollowers, Displeased with Our Earthly
Bodies, Attributed to Christ a Body of a Purer Sort. How...
The Impostor Theudas and hisFollowers.
... Book II. Chapter XI."The Impostor Theudas and hisFollowers. 1. Luke, in
the Acts, introduces Gamaliel as saying, at the consultation...
One of Christ'sFollowers Said, "Lord, Suffer Me First to Go and...
... Address 143: One of Christ'sfollowers said, "Lord, suffer me first to go
and bury my father"? One of Christ'sfollowers said, "Lord...
Fellow-Followers
... Fellow-Followers. God's Problem. God needs men.... But the leaders are few;
and what could they do without the great mass offollowers?...
The Doctrines of theFollowers of Ptolemy and Colorbasus.
... Against Heresies: Book I Chapter XII."The doctrines of thefollowers of
Ptolemy and Colorbasus. 1. But thefollowers of Ptolemy...
HisFollowers Object to Me, (And
... 6. Hisfollowers object to me, (and. [3011] "Weary of work They ply the arms
of Ceres,"). that I have translated into the Latin tongue...
A Sermon to Open Neglecters and NominalFollowers of Religion
... A Sermon to Open Neglecters and NominalFollowers of Religion. A Sermon (No.742).
Delivered on Lord's-day Morning, March 24th, 1866, by. CH SPURGEON,....
Valentinus and hisFollowers Derived the Principles of their...
... Against Heresies: Book II Chapter XIV."Valentinus and hisfollowers derived the
principles of their system from the heathen; the names only are changed....
Thesaurus
Followers (37 Occurrences)...Followers (37 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Mark 10:28 "Remember," said Peter to Him,
"that we forsook everything and have become your
followers." (WEY).
...Follower (8 Occurrences)
... fol'-o-er (mimetes): "Followers" is in the King James Version the translation of
mimetes, "to imitate" (in the New Testament in the good sense of becoming...
Disciple (38 Occurrences)
... A scholar, sometimes applied to thefollowers of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14),
and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to thefollowers of Christ....
Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... Christ: Coming now to New Testament times, persecution was frequently foretold by
Christ, as certain to come to those who were His true disciples andfollowers...
Magus
... 6. Traditions of His Death: One tradition tells how the magician ordered hisfollowers
to bury him in a grave, promising that if this were done, he would rise...
Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... Thefollowers of Christ were called "the sect of Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). All over
Palestine and Syria this name is still given to Christians. (see NAZARETH.)....
Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryFollowers of Epicurus (who died at Athens BC 270),
or adherents of the Epicurean philosophy (Acts 17:18)....
People (13047 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
5. (n.) One's subjects; fellow citizens; companions;followers....
Christian (41 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach,
to thefollowers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch....
Lying (203 Occurrences)
... in a lie, which, of course, is no more excusable in them than in the wicked; indeed,
it is more shameful because the righteous are professedfollowers of the...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He described His followers as the salt of the earth? | GotQuestions.orgIs it really possible for Christians to do greater works than Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is The Way International? | GotQuestions.orgFollowers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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