John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

I think there is a part of this verse that is often overlooked but is very important.

Jesus stated, “If you hold to my teaching.”

The word “hold” in Greek is the word meno, meaning abide, continue, dwell, endure, remain.

This is akin to what Jesus said in John 15; the word remain used in John 15 is the same Greek word meno.

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Jesus was making disciples, and He is still making disciples today.  One of the hallmarks of a disciple is taking Jesus at His word and clinging to the word of truth revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Truth is a big deal to a disciple of Jesus.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.

Jesus is everything to a disciple.  He holds first place in a disciple’s heart, mind, and soul.  That is why Jesus could say with all authority that His disciples hold to His teaching.

This is not that odd if you think about it.  Today multitudes have their favorite teachers they follow. They hang on every word their favorite teacher speaks.  That would make them a disciple of that particular teacher.  Hopefully, that teacher points them to Jesus and His completed work on their behalf and not himself.

The Corinthians were engaged in that practice when Paul first wrote to them.  Some said they were of Paul, others of Peter, others of Apollos, and finally, those of Jesus.  Because of these devotions to a certain teacher, they were divided.  Paul described this type of behavior as being carnal.  Paul speaks of how no one was baptized in his name except for two people, and his reason for that was to avoid this type of misunderstanding.  In other words, he wasn’t making disciples for himself. He was seeking to make disciples for Jesus.

The practice of baptism in those days was used in part to align the one baptized with the person doing the baptizing.  To this day, in a way, it is still used in part in this manner.  After clarifying that he didn’t baptize anyone to make a disciple for himself, he goes on to say,

1Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

A disciple of Jesus holds on to the gospel.  Getting the gospel right, getting the gospel in, and getting the gospel out is very important to a disciple of Jesus.  The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.  It is not your poise, eloquence, or polish that God is concerned with when sharing the gospel.  It is your accuracy and trust in it that matters.  Your reliance on Jesus and the Holy Spirit impresses the Father.  It is by faith that we please Him.

I encourage you today and always to hold tightly to the gospel of Jesus, making sure you get it right, and get it in you so that you can give it out to others.