Marks of a True Disciple

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Jesus said “to those Jews which believed on him, . . . then are ye my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)

What are the marks of a “disciple indeed” according to the New Testament?

1. A “disciple indeed” believes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of God, who came into the world to save sinners. (John 8:31–36)


2. A “disciple indeed” takes up a disciple’s cross to to follow Jesus in His suffering, death and resurrection. (Luke 9:23–25)


3. A “disciple indeed” remains faithful even when others fall away from following Christ. (John 6:66–69)


4. A “disciple indeed” has adopted a disciple’s self concept. This involves profession of faith as a disciple of Jesus and an attitude of humility and repentance. (John 9:27, 28; Matthew 10:32, 42; Acts 9:26) This entails obedience, not admiration. Soren Kierkegaard wrote:

“It is well known that Christ consistently uses the expression 'follower.' He never asks for admirers, worshippers, or adherents. No, he calls disciples. It is not adherents of a teaching, but followers of a life Christ is looking for…Christ came into the world with the purpose of saving, not instructing it. At the same time---as is implied to his saving work---he came to be the pattern, to leave footprints for the person who would join him, who would become a follower…What then is the difference between an admirer and a follower? A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer, however, keeps himself personally detached. He fails to see that what is admired involves a claim upon him, and thus he fails to be or strive to be what he admires…Judas was and admirer of Christ!"

5. A “disciple indeed” is eager to learn and practice what God directs and teaches through the Bible and the Church. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Matthew 13:11, 12, 23; 28:19, 20; Hebrews 13:7, 17)

6. A “disciple indeed” is discerning. He or she only has eyes for Jesus and ears that refuse to be tickled by unsound teaching and falsehoods.


7. A "disciple indeed" is dedicated to faithfully reproducing the Lord’s message and mirroring His character in daily life.  (Luke 6:40 NKJV; Romans 8:28, 29; John 20:21). Thomas Merton wrote: 

“To know the cross is to know that we are saved by the sufferings of Christ; more, it is to know the love of Christ who underwent suffering and death in order to save us. It is, then to know Christ. For to know his love is not merely to know the story of his love, but to experience in our spirit that we are loved by him, and that in his love the Father manifests his own love for us, through his Spirit poured forth into our hearts…”

8. A “disciple indeed” maintains an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus by faith (John 15:1–16) and the power of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:13, 14). Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:

“Self-denial means knowing only Christ, and no longer oneself. It means seeing only Christ, who goes ahead of us, and no longer the path that is too difficult for us. Again, self-denial is saying only: He goes ahead of us; hold fast to him.”

9. A truly committed disciple looks to serve others, doing those good works to which God calls each disciple. True discipleship is participatory. He or she is involved in the local church, in Bible study, in the community, and in the world. (Acts 11:26; 13:1–3)


Related reading: I am Persuaded: Testimony of Hope Ellen Rapson; John Stott on Discipleship; Dwight L. Moody on Discipleship; Charles H. Spurgeon on Discipleship; Billy Graham on Discipleship; Oswald Chambers on Discipleship; Evelyn Underhill on Discipleship; A.W. Tozer on Discipleship; C.S. Lewis on Discipleship; Archbishop Michael Ramsey on Discipleship