Disciple or Christian?

Today, believers more often describe ourselves and others as Christians rather than disciples. And in changing the word that we use to describe ourselves, we have lost the clarity the word “disciple” conveyed about what a follower of Jesus actually is. In biblical terms, "Christian" is a broad label often used culturally, whereas "disciple" strictly means a learner, apprentice, or active follower. Our use of “Christian” today obscures the fact that a lot of people who call themselves Christians are not actually disciples. “Disciple” is much clearer—terrifyingly clear, in fact—about what you actually become when you believe in Jesus. Discipleship implies a daily, life-altering commitment rather than just a religious label of Christian. It highlights the action of aligning your entire life with the teachings of a master. Apart from this understanding, a person can profess to be a Christian without real life transformation.

~Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Expositor & Teacher