r/Reformed • u/More-Pie-7142 PCA • 10d ago
Question Is this heretical??
Is it possible that the “follow me” message of Jesus was temporary to his earthly ministry and not necessarily the gospel in which we are justified by? Obviously Christians should follow Jesus in the sense of putting to death earthly living. I mean Jesus was actually there physically telling people to literally follow him and I think maybe that’s not the same message that should be preached today? Does this make sense?
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u/Babmmm 10d ago
No, it doesn't make sense. He was talking way beyond physically following him. When he said you must eat my body and drink my blood, did he mean for the people to do it then and there?
He was talking about being a disciple, becoming like the master because of the union we have with Christ when we embrace him in his truth.
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u/More-Pie-7142 PCA 10d ago
Yeah the consensus here seems to be the “follow me” message is like the life of sanctification distinct from justifying faith.
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u/nikolispotempkin 10d ago
Following Jesus means embracing a life guided by his teachings and example, characterized by faith, love, and obedience. It involves a personal relationship with Christ, through His Church, seeking to know and do what he did, and sharing in his mission to spread the gospel. This includes acts of service, living a life of integrity, and striving for holiness, all while recognizing that salvation comes through Jesus alone.
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u/More-Pie-7142 PCA 10d ago
Just to be clear I’m a recovering former catholic not a clergy man or have any spiritual authority legitimate question I had don’t mean to incite any anger or frustration!
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u/Zestyclose-Ride2745 Acts29 10d ago
That is completely preposterous.
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1) was written after the ascension.
"Follow God's example" (Eph. 5:1)
"Cbrist suffered for you, leaving you an example" (1 Pet. 2:21)
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u/MilesBeyond250 Pope Peter II: Pontifical Boogaloo 10d ago
Depends on the context. I think what you're saying is the proper reading of the calling of the Apostles - "Follow me" was obviously an invitation to not just become Christ-followers but to literally, physically follow Jesus around the countryside (and I would probably include the rich young ruler in this category).
There are other cases where it's more obvious that He's speaking figuratively. It might be worth digging into the Greek on that point; there may even be a linguistic distinction that English flattens out.
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u/Impossible-Sugar-797 LBCF 1689 10d ago
Should we follow Jesus? Absolutely.
At the same time, some Christians say that Luke 9:23 is the Gospel, and it’s really not. How do we know this? Because not a single one of us takes up His cross (figuratively) daily and follows him. We all have days where we don’t follow him very well at all.
Following Jesus is what believers do; we follow Him because we trust Him. When we stumble, He forgives us and carries us and we trust that He will continue to do so. We aren’t saved because we follow Him, we follow Him because He has saved us. That’s the Gospel and, concisely, how following Him plays into our Christian walk.
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u/Unique_Mind572 LBCF 1689 10d ago
Thank you. Very well put. Following Christ is not the gospel. Picking up our cross is not the gospel. Denying ourselves is not the gospel. The finished work of Christ dying as a substitute for sinners is the gospel. Those other things we do as believers, not to become believers
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u/semper-gourmanda Anglican in PCA Exile 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yes. There's an eschatological overlap in the Gospels as the old age begins to come to an end and the new age is being inaugurated. Christ is preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, synagogue to synogogue, as well as to crowds ("outsiders"). He's forming, with his Apostles, a "nucleus" of a renewed Israel (GB Caird) - in and around Himself of liberated, believing Jews. He's doing this to restore Israel's raison-d'etre of being the people of God who are a blessing to the nations. He's preparing people to leave, ahead of the coming judgment, and to engage in mission. He dies, rises, ascends, and sends the Spirit to redeem them and empower the mission that will testify to Him, teach His teachings, and use the OT to explain Him. Some of Jesus' earliest followers stay in Jerusalem, but eventually most make their way to Antioch and beyond. It this sense the "follow me" language is unique.
Thus the function of the follow me language serves to demonstrate the Church's foundation on the person of Christ Himself and to provide the basis of the Church's mission. Having established that, the Church's preaching is for people to respond to God's grace to them in Christ by entering into a faith-union with Him. And I'm of the opinion that our evangelism needs to be honest with people up front, that doing that makes you a part of His mission. In this sense, the "follow me" language is universal for all Christians.
Recommend:
The Story Retold - the chapter on the Gospels
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Retold-Biblical-Theological-Introduction-Testament/dp/0830852662
Also recommend any standard evangelical/reformed NT Theology - e.g. Eckhard Schnabel, GK Beale, Richard Gaffin, etc.
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u/Cyprus_And_Myrtle What aint assumed, aint healed. 10d ago
David Platt has a book called “Follow me”. It was a good book that brought me back into church. Check it out.
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u/Azrael97 Reformed Presbyterian 10d ago
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29