In the context of the Bible, the term "follower" is often used to describe someone who adheres to the teachings, example, and leadership of another, particularly in a spiritual or religious sense. The concept of being a follower is central to the Christian faith, as believers are called to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "follower" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the lives of key figures who followed God's commands and guidance. For example, Abraham is a quintessential follower of God, demonstrating faith and obedience when called to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1-4). Similarly, Moses followed God's instructions to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10-12).

The Israelites themselves are often depicted as followers of God, though their journey is marked by periods of faithfulness and rebellion. The call to follow God is encapsulated in the Shema, a central declaration of faith: "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" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being a follower is most clearly articulated in the call to discipleship. Jesus Christ calls individuals to follow Him, a call that involves both belief in His identity and adherence to His teachings. The first disciples, such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John, exemplify this response: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:18-20).

Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship, indicating that true followers must be willing to forsake all else for His sake: "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). This call to follow is not merely about physical proximity but involves a deep commitment to living according to Jesus' teachings and example.

Pauline Epistles

The Apostle Paul also speaks extensively about following Christ. He encourages believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul’s letters often address the importance of living a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus, urging believers to walk in love, humility, and obedience.

Characteristics of a Follower

A follower of Christ is characterized by several key attributes:

1. Faith and Belief: A follower must have faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior. This belief is foundational to the Christian life (John 3:16).

2. Obedience: Following Christ involves obedience to His commandments and teachings. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

3. Commitment: True followers are committed to Christ, willing to endure hardships and sacrifices for His sake (Luke 14:27).

4. Transformation: Followers of Christ are transformed by the renewing of their minds, living lives that reflect the character of Jesus (Romans 12:2).

5. Love and Service: A follower is called to love others and serve them, following the example of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

Conclusion

The biblical concept of a follower is deeply rooted in the call to discipleship, requiring faith, obedience, and a commitment to living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This call is both an invitation and a challenge, as it demands a life of devotion and transformation.1. (n.) One who follows; a pursuer; an attendant; a disciple; a dependent associate; a retainer.

2. (n.) A sweetheart; a beau.

3. (n.) The removable flange, or cover, of a piston

4. (n.) A gland.

5. (n.) The part of a machine that receives motion from another part. See Driver.

6. (n.) Among law stationers, a sheet of parchment or paper which is added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed.

FOLLOWER

fol'-o-er (mimetes):

"Followers" is in the King James Version the translation of mimetes, "to imitate" (in the New Testament in the good sense of becoming imitators, or following an example), rendered by the Revised Version (British and American) "imitators" (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1 Ephesians 5:1 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14 Hebrews 6:12); summimetai, "joint imitators" (Philippians 3:17); in 1 Peter 3:13, the King James Version "followers of that which is good," the word, according to a better text, is zelotis, the Revised Version (British and American) "if ye be zealous of that which is good."

3531. Nikolaites -- a Nicolaitan, a follower of Nicolaus
... a Nicolaitan, a follower of Nicolaus. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Nikolaites Phonetic Spelling: (nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3531.htm - 6k

2489b. Ioanna -- Joanna, a follower of Jesus
... 2489a, 2489b. Ioanna. 2490 . Joanna, a follower of Jesus. Transliteration:
Ioanna Short Definition: Joanna. Word Origin of Aramaic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2489b.htm - 5k

3402. mimetes -- an imitator
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: mimetes Phonetic Spelling:
(mim-ay-tace') Short Definition: an imitator Definition: an imitator, follower. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3402.htm - 7k

4831. summimetes -- a fellow imitator
... a fellow-imitator. From a presumed compound of sun and mimeomai; a co-imitator,
ie Fellow votary -- follower together. see GREEK sun. see GREEK mimeomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4831.htm - 6k

4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ...
... Christ was crucified on a literal Roman (4716 ). 4716 ("cross") is also used
for () to be a true follower-of-Christ (Mt 10:38, 16:24, etc.). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4716.htm - 8k

5546. Christianos -- a Christian
... Christian. From Christos; a Christian, ie Follower of Christ -- Christian. see GREEK
Christos. (christianon) -- 1 Occurrence. (christianos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5546.htm - 6k

1946. Epikoureios -- to run ashore
... Epicurean. From Epikouros (compare epikouria) (a noted philosopher); an Epicurean
or follower of Epicurus -- Epicurean. see GREEK epikouria. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1946.htm - 5k

3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple
... disciple") -- to disciple, ie helping someone to the Word of God to become a matured,
growing (literally, "a learner," a true Christ-follower); to train ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3100.htm - 7k

4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... Cognate: 4203 -- commit fornication (sexual immorality); (figuratively) to be
unfaithful to Christ, while as His true follower. See 4202 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4203.htm - 7k

4523. Saddoukaios -- a Sadducee, a member of a Jewish religious ...
... Sadducee. Probably from Sadok; a Sadducaean (ie Tsadokian), or follower of
a certain heretical Israelite -- Sadducee. see GREEK Sadok. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4523.htm - 7k

John Swayed the People by his Teachings. Concerning the Woman, a ...
... Chapter V."John swayed the People by his Teachings. Concerning the Woman, a Follower
of Macedonius, on account of whom the Bread was turned into a Stone. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter v john swayed the people.htm

Following "Whithersoever"
... The dominant purpose in the heart of every true follower is the same as it was
in the life of Christ"to do the will and work of the Father. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-two following whithersoever.htm

Disgraceful Conduct Discovered at Rome.
... morality. The follower eagerly lays hold of this man as the person he had long
wished for and found at last, and relates his whole plan. ...
/.../chapter 20 name conduct discovered.htm

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... 2. But, before I make my answer to your letter, I must expostulate with you; you
who are first in age among the monks, good presbyter, follower of Christ; is ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

Moreover, if Sorcerers Call Forth Ghosts, and Even Make what Seem ...
... The wicked spirit, bidden to speak by a follower of Christ, [112] will as readily
make the truthful confession that he is a demon, as elsewhere he has falsely ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter xxiii moreover if sorcerers.htm

Jesus and Thomas.
... Or did Jesus seek him out in his home or at his work, and call him to be a follower? ...
A follower of Jesus must be ready and willing to follow him to his cross. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter viii jesus and thomas.htm

Fellow-Followers
... Most of us are moulded to follow. He needs both leader and follower. ... These words,
follower, messenger, witness, run together. In following we are witnesses. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/fellow-followers.htm

The Course of the World.
... on the transporting barges of Satan. As a tree is known by its fruits, so
is a true follower of Christ. The fruit borne by a Christian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xii the course of.htm

The People among whom we Labour.
... A true follower of Jesus Christ, one imbued with the spirit of His teaching and
bent on the imitation of His example, cannot fail to cultivate holiness of ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

Peter's Denial. Ch. 22:54-62
... Every follower of Christ is in mortal danger when confident of his moral strength
and especially when at the same time he is ashamed to be publicly known as a ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/e peters denial ch 22 54-62.htm

Follower (8 Occurrences)
... other deed. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOLLOWER. fol'-o ... is good.".
Multi-Version Concordance Follower (8 Occurrences). Matthew 16 ...
/f/follower.htm - 10k

Ignore (13 Occurrences)
... Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to them, "If any one is desirous of
following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross, and so be my follower...
/i/ignore.htm - 10k

Desirous (31 Occurrences)
... Him the crowd and also His disciples, He said to them, "If any one is desirous of
following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross, and so be my follower...
/d/desirous.htm - 15k

Followers (37 Occurrences)

/f/followers.htm - 16k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... (3) The invitation of Philip to Nathanael (compare John 1:45) was one which would
naturally be addressed to a follower of the Zealots, who based their cause on ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Observer (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises. 4. (n.) A
sycophantic follower. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TIMES, OBSERVER OF. ...
/o/observer.htm - 8k

Later (89 Occurrences)
... John 13:36 "Master," inquired Simon Peter, "where are you going?" "Where I am going,"
replied Jesus, "you cannot be my follower now, but you shall be later ...
/l/later.htm - 31k

Lacking (53 Occurrences)
... One thing is lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to the
poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a follower of mine ...
/l/lacking.htm - 22k

Lessons (4 Occurrences)
... faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and
of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower. ...
/l/lessons.htm - 7k

Warn (35 Occurrences)
... faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and
of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower. ...
/w/warn.htm - 17k

Is suffering for Christ always going to be a part of being a follower of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is the insider movement? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to deny yourself? What is self-denial? | GotQuestions.org

Follower: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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