An adherent, in the context of biblical terminology, refers to an individual who is devoted to or follows a particular leader, cause, or set of beliefs. In the Christian faith, adherents are those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and adhere to the doctrines and practices of Christianity as outlined in the Bible.

Biblical Context

The concept of adherence is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where followers of God, His prophets, and ultimately Jesus Christ are called to a life of commitment and obedience. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and steadfastness in one's spiritual journey.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, adherence to God's commandments is a central theme. The Israelites are repeatedly called to be faithful to the covenant established between God and their forefathers. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5 , the Shema, a foundational declaration of faith, commands: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This passage underscores the expectation of total devotion to God.

The prophets also called the people to adhere to God's laws and to turn away from idolatry and sin. For example, in Jeremiah 7:23 , God instructs, "But this is what I commanded them: Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you."

New Testament

In the New Testament, adherence takes on a more personal dimension with the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls individuals to follow Him, emphasizing a personal relationship and commitment. In Matthew 16:24 , Jesus says, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." This call to discipleship requires a deep commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Christ.

The early church exemplified adherence to the teachings of the apostles and the fellowship of believers. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christians: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This devotion was a hallmark of their faith and community life.

Adherence in Christian Life

Adherence in the Christian life involves a commitment to the teachings of Scripture, participation in the life of the church, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is characterized by obedience, faith, and a desire to live according to God's will. The apostle Paul, in his letters, often encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , he writes, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Challenges to Adherence

Throughout history, Christians have faced challenges to their adherence, including persecution, false teachings, and the temptations of the world. The Bible warns against falling away from the faith and encourages believers to remain vigilant. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , Paul warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Conclusion

While the entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that adherence is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, requiring dedication, obedience, and a steadfast commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.1. (a.) Sticking; clinging; attached; adhering.

2. (a.) Attached as an attribute or circumstance.

3. (a.) Congenitally united with an organ of another kind, as calyx with ovary, or stamens with petals.

4. (n.) One who adheres; one who adheres; one who follows a leader, party, or profession; a follower, or partisan; a believer in a particular faith or church.

5. (n.) That which adheres; an appendage.

3531. Nikolaites -- a Nicolaitan, a follower of Nicolaus
... Nicolaitane. From Nikolaos; a Nicolaite, ie Adherent of Nicolaus -- Nicolaitane.
see GREEK Nikolaos. (nikolaiton) -- 2 Occurrences. 3530, 3531. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3531.htm - 6k

4347. proskollao -- to glue to, fig. to cleave to
... lah'-o) Short Definition: I join closely, cleave to Definition: (lit: I glue one
thing to another), I join (unite) closely, cleave (to), follow as an adherent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4347.htm - 7k

4770. Stoikos -- a Stoic
... a Stoic. From stoa; a "Stoic" (as occupying a particular porch in Athens),
ie Adherent of a certin philosophy -- Stoick. see GREEK stoa. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4770.htm - 6k

2581. Kananaios -- Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one ...
... 2581 -- properly, a Canaanite (a Canaanean); used of one of the twelve apostles
because he was an adherent of the -- "Simon the Canaanite (Mt 10: 4; Mk 3:18). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2581.htm - 7k

3609. oikeios -- to have seen or perceived, hence to know
... those of the his own household. From oikos; domestic, ie (as noun), a relative,
adherent -- (those) of the (his own) house(-hold). see GREEK oikos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3609.htm - 6k

Introductory Notice to Alexander, Bishop of Lycopolis.
... the inscription of the work, we learn that Alexander was first a pagan; and afterwards,
having given up the religion of the Greeks, became an adherent of the ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/introductory notice to alexander bishop.htm

Luke
... An adherent of the apostle Paul, and companion of all his journeying, he wrote a
Gospel, concerning which the same Paul says, "We send with him a brother whose ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter vii luke.htm

Sebastian Franck: an Apostle of Inward Religion
... years that a new age was in process of birth, but though he was following the great
events he remained to the end of his University period an adherent of the ...
/.../chapter iv sebastian franck an.htm

Huss and Jerome
... esteem. He was a sincere adherent of the Roman Church and an earnest seeker
for the spiritual blessings which it professes to bestow. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

Huss and Jerome.
... esteem. He was a sincere adherent of the Roman Church, and an earnest seeker
for the spiritual blessings which it professes to bestow. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /6 huss and jerome.htm

Accordingly, as this Man's Fame was Becoming Always the More ...
... This adherent accordingly received the letter, and carried it to the person to whom
he had been commissioned by Manes to deliver it, overtaking the whole ...
/.../4 accordingly as this mans.htm

After this Preface as to the Falsification by Heretics of the ...
... he is so much afraid of evil speaking that he does not dare to speak evil even of
the devil; insomuch that he gave occasion to Candidus an adherent of the ...
/.../18 after this preface as.htm

Acts or Disputation against Fortunatus, the Manich??an.
... Fortunatus said: Because I know that you have been in our midst, that is, have lived
as an adherent among the Manich??ans, these are the principles of our faith ...
/.../acts or disputation against fortunatus.htm

Origen
... the other translations also in a single work, namely, that of Aquila, of Ponticus
the Proselyte, and Theodotian the Ebonite, and Symmachus an adherent of the ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter liv origen.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... and his lord-lieutenant directed his route, postponing all administration of the
necessary affairs of state as long as a home remained to one adherent of the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Adherent (1 Occurrence)
... or church. 5. (n.) That which adheres; an appendage. Multi-Version Concordance
Adherent (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:5 For they all know ...
/a/adherent.htm - 7k

Disciple (38 Occurrences)
... from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe
in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in doctrine; as ...
/d/disciple.htm - 22k

Partisan (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An adherent to a party or faction; one who
is strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an interest. ...
/p/partisan.htm - 7k

Christian (41 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents, and who has
not definitely becomes an adherent of an opposing system. ...
/c/christian.htm - 29k

Wet (25 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle; to cause to
have water or other fluid adherent to the surface; to dip or soak in a liquid ...
/w/wet.htm - 15k

Inferior (14 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Situated below some other organ; -- said of a calyx when free from the ovary,
and therefore below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore ...
/i/inferior.htm - 11k

Immovable (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Lands and things adherent thereto by nature, as trees; by the hand of man,
as buildings and their accessories; by their destination, as seeds, plants ...
/i/immovable.htm - 8k

Firm (111 Occurrences)
... in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings
or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent. ...
/f/firm.htm - 34k

Magian (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the Magi. 2. (n.) One of the Magi, or priests of the
Zoroastrian religion in Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion. ...
/m/magian.htm - 7k

Partisanship (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party;
feelings or conduct appropriate to a partisan. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/partisanship.htm - 6k

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