Following Jesus

The Good News · Article 9 of 10 · 2026-10-28 · Key passages: Mark 12:29–31; John 14:15. Quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB); please check each one in your own Bible.

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What we confess.

To 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 we live through him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6). Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31), who “has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2). He “died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3), was buried, and “was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:4). “God has made him both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36), and “This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back” (Acts 1:11).

Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea (Mark 1:16). Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.” (Mark 1:17). The next verse says, “Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.” (Mark 1:18).

Article 7 showed how a person answers the good news: by repenting, believing in Jesus, confessing him as Lord and being baptized. Article 8 showed that salvation is God’s gift, and that God makes us “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,” (Ephesians 2:10). This article asks what comes next. What does a life of following Jesus look like? Some readers were taught that following God meant obeying an organization and its rules. They may fear that following Jesus will be one more heavy load. Others wonder whether, if salvation is a gift, Jesus asks anything of them at all. We ask you to read what Jesus himself says, and to check every word.

Read These First

  • Mark 8:34–38: “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34).
  • Mark 12:28–34: the first and second commandments.
  • Luke 10:25–37: who is my neighbor?
  • John 14:15–24: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
  • John 15:9–14: “Remain in my love.” (John 15:9).
  • Acts 2:42–47: the first disciples together.

Jesus Calls His Disciples to Come After Him

What the text says. Jesus called people to come with him. He saw Levi at the tax office and said to him, “Follow me!” (Luke 5:27). “He left everything, and rose up and followed him.” (Luke 5:28). Mark tells how he called the crowds as well:

He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

— Mark 8:34–35

Luke says that “He said to all,” (Luke 9:23), and gives the same call. Jesus promised, “He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).

The apostles taught the same. Peter writes that “Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,” (1 Peter 2:21). John writes, “he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.” (1 John 2:6). And Jesus described the one his disciples follow:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

— Matthew 11:28–30

Passages: Mark 1:16–20; John 12:26.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that Jesus calls people to come after him (Mark 1:17; 8:34). It says plainly that those who follow him deny themselves and take up their cross (Mark 8:34). It says plainly that he is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29), and that his yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). Our conclusion is that following Jesus means going where he goes and learning from him, as a disciple learns from a teacher (Matthew 11:29). Our conclusion is also that it is a person we follow, not first a set of rules (John 10:27). Peter and John point to his steps and his walk (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

The strongest objection. Some readers hear Jesus’ words as demands no one could bear. They point to what he said to the crowds:

“If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple.

— Luke 14:26–27

He ended, “So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33). The KJV and other translations read hate where the WEB reads disregard (see Notes on the Text). As these readers put it, Jesus asks his followers to turn against their families and give up everything. That sounds like the heavy load some have already escaped.

Our answer. Scripture says plainly that whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be Jesus’ disciple (Luke 14:33). Matthew records a similar saying: “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;” (Matthew 10:37). Our conclusion is that Luke 14:26 speaks of what comes first, not of turning against family (Matthew 10:37). The same Jesus rebuked teachers whose tradition kept a man from helping his parents. He called it “making void the word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13). From the cross, he gave his mother into the care of his disciple: “From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:27). Paul writes, “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8). Jesus also said plainly that following him can divide a home: “A man’s foes will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:36). When a man asked first to bury his father, Jesus said, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.” (Luke 9:60). Our conclusion is that Jesus foretells division over him, and calls the disciple to put God’s Kingdom first, while still loving his family (Matthew 10:35–37; Luke 9:59–60; 1 Timothy 5:8).

Jesus also told the crowds to weigh the cost before they began: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost,” (Luke 14:28). Our conclusion is that he spoke plainly so that no one would follow him without counting the cost. When Peter said, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.” (Mark 10:28), Jesus answered with a promise:

Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

— Mark 10:29–30

John writes, “For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3). Our conclusion is that Jesus asks for everything, and gives far more than he asks (Mark 10:29–30; Matthew 11:28–30). We invite readers to read Luke 14:25–33 and Mark 10:17–31 whole.

The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor

What the text says. A scribe asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” (Mark 12:28).

Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

— Mark 12:29–31

Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and Leviticus 19:18, a canonical connection by quotation. The scribe answered, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;” (Mark 12:32). Jesus told him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” (Mark 12:34). In Matthew, Jesus adds, “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40).

When a lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), Jesus told of a man beaten by robbers and left half dead. A priest and a Levite passed by on the other side (Luke 10:31–32). “But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,” (Luke 10:33). Jesus asked which of the three “seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:36). The lawyer said, “He who showed mercy on him.” (Luke 10:37). Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37).

Jesus went further:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

— Matthew 5:43–45

Paul writes, “Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10). John writes, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Passages: Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Leviticus 19:18, 34; Romans 13:8–9; Galatians 5:14; 1 John 4:20–21.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that the first commandment is to love God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). It says plainly that the second is to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31). Jesus himself names the God to be loved: “the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29). Our conclusion is that the love Jesus asks is first of all love for the one God, his Father (Mark 12:29–30; John 20:17). Article 2 showed that this one God is the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6). Our conclusion is that Jesus’ story turns the lawyer’s question around. The lawyer asked who his neighbor was; Jesus asked who “seemed to be a neighbor” (Luke 10:36). Our conclusion is that a disciple does not first ask who deserves his love, but whom he can help (Luke 10:36–37). Our conclusion is also that love for God and love for people cannot be pulled apart. John writes, “he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20).

The strongest objection. Some readers were taught to keep apart from everyone outside their group. They point to John’s words:

Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.

— 1 John 2:15

James writes, “don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4). Paul writes, “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). He gives the Lord’s words, “Come out from among them, and be separate,” (2 Corinthians 6:17). He warns, “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). As these readers put it, a disciple should love fellow believers, but keep away from the people of the world.

Our answer. Scripture says plainly that disciples must not love “the world or the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). John says at once what he means: “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.” (1 John 2:16). Our conclusion is that John warns against the world’s desires and pride, not against the people God loves (1 John 2:16; John 3:16). John’s Gospel says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son,” (John 3:16). Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15). He added, “As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18).

James also says what he means. He writes of “your pleasures that war in your members” (James 4:1), and of asking “so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3). Paul asks, “What agreement does a temple of God have with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:16), and the Lord’s words go on, “Touch no unclean thing.” (2 Corinthians 6:17). The same Paul wrote, “But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you,” (1 Corinthians 10:27). His warning about companions comes in the chapter where he asks about some in the church: “how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12). Our conclusion is that the warning is real for every disciple. Paul gives it here, our conclusion is, about those among them who denied the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12, 33–34). Our conclusion is also that it is not a command to keep away from every unbeliever (1 Corinthians 5:10; 10:27). Scripture forbids being unequally yoked with unbelievers and joining in idols (2 Corinthians 6:14–17). Our conclusion is that the call to come out and be separate concerns such yokes and idols (2 Corinthians 6:16–17). It does not mean leaving the world, which Paul says keeping away from this world’s sinners would require, our conclusion (1 Corinthians 5:10). Our conclusion is that James forbids the world’s desires, not kindness to its people (James 4:1–4).

Paul wrote to Corinth about whom to keep apart from. He had told the believers to keep no company with sexual sinners (1 Corinthians 5:9). Then he explained, “yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world.” (1 Corinthians 5:10). He then wrote, “But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:11). He added, “But those who are outside, God judges.” (1 Corinthians 5:13). Scripture says plainly that this command concerns “anyone who is called a brother” (1 Corinthians 5:11), not the people of this world (1 Corinthians 5:10).

When the Pharisees asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11), Jesus answered, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.” (Matthew 9:12). In Luke, the Pharisees and scribes said, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2). Our conclusion is that a disciple keeps himself from the world’s ways, and still loves its people as Jesus did (John 17:15–18; Luke 10:37). We invite readers to read 1 John 2:15–17, James 4:1–10, 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 and 1 Corinthians 5:9–13 whole.

Pause. In Luke 10:36–37, what question did Jesus ask the lawyer, and what did he tell him to do? (See The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.)

Those Who Love Jesus Keep His Commandments

What the text says. On the night before he died, Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). He said it again in other words:

One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”

— John 14:21

Judas (not Iscariot) asked him a question, and Jesus answered, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23). He gave them a new commandment:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

— John 13:34–35

He said, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,” (John 15:10). He also said, “I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11). John later wrote, “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3).

The Gospels record what he commanded. He told his disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). He told them to forgive: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14). At his last supper he said of the bread, “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19). After he rose, he sent them out with these words:

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

— Matthew 28:19–20

Paul writes of the Spirit: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23). Passages: John 15:12–14; 1 John 2:4–6; 5:2–3; Matthew 7:24–27; Galatians 5:24–25.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that those who love Jesus keep his commandments (John 14:15, 21). It says plainly that his new commandment is that his disciples love one another as he loved them (John 13:34). It says plainly that he sent his disciples to teach others “to observe all things that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20). Our conclusion is that keeping his commandments is how love for Jesus shows itself, not a price paid for it (John 14:21; Ephesians 2:8–10). Jesus says he spoke these things so that his disciples’ joy would be full (John 15:11). Our conclusion is also that God himself works this in his people by his Spirit, and the first fruit Paul names is love (Galatians 5:22; Philippians 2:13).

The strongest objection. Some readers hold that the Ten Commandments still bind believers, including the weekly Sabbath. Some hold that the whole Law of Moses does. They point to creation: “God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy,” (Genesis 2:3). The fourth commandment gives the same reason: “therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11). And they point to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

— Matthew 5:17–19

As they read it, the Sabbath was given at creation, before Moses, and no letter of the law has passed. They read the Sabbath day of Colossians 2:16 as one of the yearly feast days, not the weekly Sabbath. And they hold that Jesus’ warning against anyone who would “teach others to do so” (Matthew 5:19) falls on those who teach that the Sabbath has ended.

Our answer. Scripture says plainly that Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Paul writes, “Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31). Jesus names two limits in Matthew 5:18: until heaven and earth pass away, and until all things are accomplished. Scripture does not say in this verse which things these are, and we do not rest our answer on a reading of that phrase. Our conclusion is that the Law stands as God’s word, and Jesus shows what it truly asks (Matthew 5:17; Romans 3:31). A few verses later, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’” (Matthew 5:27). He went on, “but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28). Our conclusion is that Jesus teaches his disciples to obey from the heart what the Law aimed at, as he himself gives it (Matthew 5:21–48; Romans 13:8–10).

Paul writes to believers, “you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead,” (Romans 7:4). He says, “But now we have been discharged from the law,” (Romans 7:6). In the next verse, Paul quotes one of the Ten Commandments as what the law said: “I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’” (Romans 7:7). Moses called the Ten Commandments a covenant: “He declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even the ten commandments.” (Deuteronomy 4:13). Our conclusion is that the law believers are discharged from includes the Ten Commandments as a covenant (Romans 7:6–7; Deuteronomy 4:13). Paul’s picture is a wife: “if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.” (Romans 7:2). Our conclusion is that the written Law loses no letter and still stands as Scripture (Matthew 5:18). What has changed is the believer’s place under it: he has died to it in Christ, our conclusion (Romans 7:4). Paul calls the law a tutor until Christ: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:25). Yet he is not without law. He describes himself as “not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21). He writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).

Genesis 2:3 says God blessed the seventh day; Genesis records no command for anyone to keep it. The first recorded command to keep it comes to Israel in the wilderness before Sinai, through Moses, with the manna: “Yahweh has given you the Sabbath,” (Exodus 16:29). In the same chapter, God gave the manna “that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” (Exodus 16:4). In Nehemiah, the Levites pray of Sinai, “and made known to them your holy Sabbath, and commanded them commandments, statutes, and a law, by Moses your servant,” (Nehemiah 9:14). In Deuteronomy, Moses ties the command to Israel’s rescue from Egypt: “Therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15). The Sabbath was “a sign between me and the children of Israel forever;” (Exodus 31:17). The verse before calls it “a perpetual covenant.” (Exodus 31:16). The Law says the same of Aaron’s line: “They shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute.” (Exodus 29:9). Hebrews says, “For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.” (Hebrews 7:12). Our conclusion is that perpetual in the Law does not by itself keep a command binding after Christ. Hebrews says the Levitical priesthood, which the Law gave by a perpetual statute, was changed (Exodus 29:9; Hebrews 7:11–12). Our conclusion is that this change strikes no letter from the written Law; it changes the law under which God’s people now serve (Matthew 5:18; Hebrews 7:12).

Of days Paul writes, “Let no one therefore judge you in eating or drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,” (Colossians 2:16). He says these are “a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.” (Colossians 2:17). The Levites were to offer burnt offerings “on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts,” (1 Chronicles 23:31), the same three kinds of days Colossians 2:16 names. Paul names the feast day and the Sabbath day separately. Our conclusion is that the Sabbath day of Colossians 2:16 is the weekly Sabbath, not one of the feast days already named (Colossians 2:16; 1 Chronicles 23:31). Paul writes, “One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5). Our conclusion is also that Paul, an apostle of Jesus, did not teach others to break what Jesus binds. He wrote, “let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Our conclusion is that the weekly Sabbath is therefore not among the commands Matthew 5:19 binds on disciples. Some also cite Hebrews: “There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9). The next verse says, “For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10). As these readers put it, a Sabbath rest still remains for God’s people. Resting from one’s works as God did on the seventh day (Hebrews 4:4), they say, is what the weekly Sabbath is. The same passage says, “For we who have believed do enter into that rest,” (Hebrews 4:3). It says of Israel in Joshua’s day, “For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.” (Hebrews 4:8). Israel had already been given the weekly Sabbath by Moses (Nehemiah 9:14). Our conclusion is that the rest that remains is not the weekly day Israel already had, but the rest believers enter by faith (Hebrews 4:3, 8–11). The passage urges, “Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest,” (Hebrews 4:11). Our conclusion is also that the seventh day itself pointed ahead to that rest, as a shadow points to the body (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 4:4, 9). Our conclusion is that believers are not under the Law of Moses as a covenant, so the weekly Sabbath does not bind them. Our conclusion is also that they are bound by the law of Christ: love, and the commands Jesus and the apostles gave. That is our answer under The Sabbath, and which commands bind believers in Questions Answered. We invite readers to read Matthew 5:17–48, Romans 7:1–7, Colossians 2:16–17 and Galatians 3:23–29 whole.

Disciples Follow Jesus Together, as Brothers Under One Teacher

What the text says. After Pentecost, those who were baptized did not follow Jesus alone:

They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

— Acts 2:42

“All who believed were together, and had all things in common.” (Acts 2:44). They broke bread at home and “took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,” (Acts 2:46). Paul handed on what Jesus said at his last supper: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25). He adds, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Hebrews says:

Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

— Hebrews 10:24–25

Paul calls believers one body: “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). He says the eye cannot tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” (1 Corinthians 12:21).

Jesus also said how his disciples were to treat one another:

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.

— Matthew 23:8–11

He told the twelve that rulers of the nations “lord it over them” (Mark 10:42). “But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.” (Mark 10:43). Peter told the elders to shepherd God’s flock “not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3). Paul wrote, “We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy.” (2 Corinthians 1:24). Hebrews says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls,” (Hebrews 13:17). In the same chapter, the leaders the readers are to remember are those “who spoke to you the word of God” (Hebrews 13:7). Passages: Acts 2:43–47; 1 Corinthians 11:23–24; 12:12–26; Ephesians 4:11–16; John 13:14–15.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that the first disciples continued together in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42). It says plainly that Jesus told his disciples to eat the bread and drink the cup “in memory of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24–25). It says plainly that believers are not to forsake “our own assembling together” (Hebrews 10:25). It says plainly that among Jesus’ disciples there is one Teacher, and all are brothers (Matthew 23:8). Our conclusion is that following Jesus includes belonging to his people, who meet, remember him and help one another (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25). Scripture says plainly that believers are to obey their leaders (Hebrews 13:17). Our conclusion is also that those leaders serve, and do not control the faith of others (Mark 10:43; 2 Corinthians 1:24).

The strongest objection. Some readers have been hurt by a religious group, and ask whether they need any gathering at all. They point to what Jesus told the woman at the well:

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.

— John 4:21

He went on, “But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers.” (John 4:23). As these readers put it, true worship is in spirit and truth, not in a place or a group. So, they say, a believer can follow Jesus alone. Some also cite the call, “Come out of her, my people,” (Revelation 18:4). As they read it, the churches belong to Babylon, so a believer should leave every church and follow Jesus alone.

Our answer. Scripture says plainly that the Father seeks those who worship him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). Our conclusion is that Jesus spoke of where people worship, this mountain or Jerusalem, and not of whether believers meet together (John 4:20–21). The same Jesus taught how his disciples settle a sin between brothers and bring it “to the assembly” (Matthew 18:17). Then he said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.” (Matthew 18:20). He gave the bread and the cup to his disciples together (Luke 22:19–20). Hebrews names forsaking the assembly as the “custom of some” (Hebrews 10:25), and warns against it. Our conclusion is that Scripture does not picture a disciple who follows Jesus alone by choice (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 12:21). The voice in Revelation gives its own reason: “that you have no participation in her sins,” (Revelation 18:4). Revelation does not name any church as Babylon. Our conclusion is that a believer must leave whatever shares in her sins, and still must not forsake the assembling of believers (Revelation 18:4–5; Hebrews 10:25).

Our conclusion is also that the fellowship Jesus describes is a place of safety, not of control. There, no one is called master but Christ (Matthew 23:10), and the greatest is the servant (Matthew 23:11). Elders do not lord it over the flock (1 Peter 5:3). The Bereans were praised for “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11). When the council forbade the apostles to teach, they answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29). Our conclusion is that leaders have real authority to teach, shepherd and correct by the Scriptures. Our conclusion is also that no leader, council or church may bind a believer to anything Scripture does not teach. That is our answer under The authority of church leaders and teachers in Questions Answered. Our conclusion is that two or three believers who gather in Jesus’ name, read Scripture and pray, are not without him (Matthew 18:20; 28:20). We invite readers to read Acts 2:41–47 and Matthew 23:1–12 whole.

Pause. In Acts 2:42, in what four things did the first disciples continue steadfastly? (See Disciples Follow Jesus Together, as Brothers Under One Teacher.)

Questions Answered

These questions touch this article. Each is answered from Scripture and labeled. The Statement of Faith, section 15, gives the same answers.

The authority of church leaders and teachers. Our conclusion: leaders have real authority to teach, shepherd and correct by the Scriptures. No leader, council or church may bind a believer to anything Scripture does not teach.

Jesus said: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:8).

Read the other way: Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 16:19; 18:18; Acts 15:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Confidence: Solid. Leaders’ duties and their limits are both plain; applying them case by case is our step.

Teaching handed down outside Scripture. Our conclusion: what the apostles taught binds every believer, and that teaching is now held in Scripture. No later teaching, however old, binds a believer unless Scripture teaches it.

Paul wrote: “Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Read the other way: 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 2:2; John 21:25. Confidence: Solid. The apostles’ authority is plain; that none of it binds outside Scripture is our step.

The Sabbath, and which commands bind believers. Our conclusion: believers are not under the Law of Moses as a covenant, so the weekly Sabbath does not bind them. They are bound by the law of Christ: love, and the commands Jesus and the apostles gave.

Paul wrote: “Let no one therefore judge you in eating or drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.” (Colossians 2:16–17).

Read the other way: Exodus 31:16; Matthew 5:17–18; Hebrews 4:9; Genesis 2:3; Mark 2:27. Confidence: Solid. Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14:5 speak to days directly; which other commands bind is answered by the apostles’ teaching.

Whether salvation depends on these questions. Our conclusion: salvation depends on believing the good news about Jesus and remaining in his teaching. It does not depend on settling every question in this document.

Jesus said: “I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24).

Read the other way: John 8:24; 1 John 2:23; Galatians 1:9. Confidence: Solid. John 8:24 and 2 John 9 name what is required; Romans 14:1 shows that not every question divides.

“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Where We Stand

Scripture says

  • Jesus said, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34).
  • Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
  • The first commandment is to love “the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30). The second is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31).
  • Jesus told the lawyer, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37).
  • Jesus said, “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
  • Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
  • Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.” (John 13:34).
  • Jesus sent his disciples to teach others “to observe all things that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20).
  • The first disciples “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.” (Acts 2:42).
  • Jesus said, “one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:8).

We conclude

  • Our conclusion: following Jesus means going where he goes and learning from him, as a disciple learns from a teacher (Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:21).
  • Our conclusion: Luke 14:26 speaks of what comes first, not of turning against family (Matthew 10:37; Mark 7:10–13; 1 Timothy 5:8).
  • Our conclusion: the love Jesus asks is first of all love for the one God, his Father (Mark 12:29–30; John 20:17).
  • Our conclusion: a disciple does not first ask who deserves his love, but whom he can help (Luke 10:36–37).
  • Our conclusion: John warns against the world’s desires and pride, not against the people God loves (1 John 2:16; John 3:16).
  • Our conclusion: keeping his commandments is how love for Jesus shows itself, not a price paid for it (John 14:21; Ephesians 2:8–10).
  • Our conclusion: believers are not under the Law of Moses as a covenant, and are bound by the law of Christ (Romans 7:4–6; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2).
  • Our conclusion: following Jesus includes belonging to his people, who meet, remember him and help one another (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25).
  • Our conclusion: those who lead serve, and do not control the faith of others (Mark 10:43; 2 Corinthians 1:24).

Hope

Our conclusion is that following Jesus does not depend on never failing (Luke 22:32; John 21:19). On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied him three times (John 18:17, 25–27). “The Lord turned and looked at Peter.” (Luke 22:61). Peter “went out, and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62). Jesus had already told him:

but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

— Luke 22:32

After he rose, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him (John 21:15–17). Each time he gave Peter work to do: “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17). Then he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21:19). Our conclusion is that Jesus restored Peter to the call he had first given by the sea (Mark 1:17; John 21:19).

John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). He adds, “If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). Hebrews says, “Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). And Jesus promised those he sent, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

Living It Out

These are applications, offered as invitations.

  • You might read Mark 1:16–20 and Luke 5:27–28, and hear Jesus’ “Follow me!” (Luke 5:27) as spoken to you.
  • Jesus said, “learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). Consider reading one Gospel through, slowly, to learn how he lived and what he said.
  • You might ask, as the lawyer did, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), and then think of one person you could help this week.
  • Jesus said, “pray for those who mistreat you” (Matthew 5:44). Consider praying by name for someone who has hurt you.
  • If you have been hurt by a religious group, you might look for two or three believers who read Scripture and pray together. You might open Matthew 23:8–11 with them.

Questions for Reflection

  1. What did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee, and what did they do? (See the opening.)
  2. How does Matthew 10:37 help you read Luke 14:26? (See the answer under Jesus Calls His Disciples to Come After Him.)
  3. In Mark 12:29–31, which two commandments does Jesus name, and whom does he name as the God to be loved? (See The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.)
  4. What does John say is “in the world” (1 John 2:16), and how does John 17:15–18 fit with it? (See the answer under The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.)
  5. In John 14:21 and 15:10–11, what does Jesus promise to those who keep his commandments? (See Those Who Love Jesus Keep His Commandments.)
  6. After Peter denied Jesus, what did Jesus ask him, and what did he say to him at the end? (See Hope.)

Check It Yourself

  • Opening: Mark 1:16–20; Ephesians 2:10.
  • Come after him: Mark 1:16–20; 8:34–38; Luke 5:27–28; 9:23–24; John 8:12; 10:27; 12:26; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6; Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 14:25–33; Matthew 10:34–38; Luke 9:57–62; Mark 7:9–13; John 19:26–27; 1 Timothy 5:8; Mark 10:28–30; 1 John 5:3.
  • Love God and neighbor: Mark 12:28–34; Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Leviticus 19:18, 34; Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:25–37; Matthew 5:43–48; Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:14; 1 John 4:19–21; John 20:17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 2:15–17; James 4:1–10; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 33–34; 10:27; John 3:16; 17:13–19; 1 Corinthians 5:9–13; Luke 15:1–2; Matthew 9:10–13.
  • Keep his commandments: John 13:34–35; 14:15–24; 15:9–14; 1 John 2:3–6; 5:2–3; Matthew 5:44; 6:14–15; Luke 22:19; Matthew 28:18–20; Galatians 5:16–25; Philippians 2:13; Matthew 5:17–48; Romans 3:31; 7:1–7; Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 16:1, 4, 23–29; 20:8–11; 29:9; 31:16–17; Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Hebrews 7:11–12; 4:1–11; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Deuteronomy 4:13; Nehemiah 9:5, 13–14; Galatians 3:23–29; 1 Corinthians 9:20–21; Galatians 6:2; Colossians 2:16–17; 1 Chronicles 23:31; Romans 14:5.
  • Together: Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Matthew 23:8–12; Mark 10:42–45; 1 Peter 5:1–4; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Hebrews 13:7, 17; John 4:19–24; Matthew 18:15–20; Revelation 18:1–5; Acts 17:11; 5:27–29.
  • Answered: Statement of Faith, section 15; Matthew 23:8; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 2:16–17; John 8:24; Deuteronomy 29:29.
  • Hope: John 18:15–27; Luke 22:31–32, 61–62; John 21:15–19; 1 John 1:9; 2:1–2; Hebrews 4:15–16; Matthew 28:20.

Notes on the Text

Luke 14:26 reads hate in the KJV and ASV, where the WEB reads disregard; the Greek verb (SBLGNT) is the one John 15:18 uses for hates.

Next

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