What is the Difference between Salvation and Discipleship

6 October 2025

Salvation is the foundation, while discipleship is the building process. Salvation gets us into God's family, while discipleship grows us into Christ's likeness. Both are essential aspects of the Christian life, and they complement each other in our walk with God.


Salvation:

- Is a free gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)

- Received through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Romans 3:24-25)

- Forgives sins and reconciles us to God (Romans 5:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

- A one-time event (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7)

- Secures eternal life and justification (Romans 6:23, 8:1)


Discipleship:

- Is a lifelong process of following Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 9:23-24)

- Involves learning from and obeying Jesus' teachings (Matthew 11:29-30, John 8:31-32)

- Requires denying self, taking up the cross, and following Him (Luke 9:23-24, Matthew 16:24-26)

- Aims to conform us to Christ's image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

- Demands a daily surrender and obedience (Luke 9:23-24, Romans 12:1-2)


Contrast:

- Salvation is a gift, while discipleship is a call to obedience.

- Salvation is a one-time event, while discipleship is a lifelong process.

- Salvation focuses on justification, while discipleship focuses on sanctification.

- Salvation is received through faith, while discipleship is lived out through faithfulness. 


Having the gift of salvation is the most precious gift that can be given to us. Discipleship is the works of the after-works of salvation. Not working for our salvation but working after our salvation in order to learn who this Jesus is that we have given our lives to. 


Prayer

Father God as you tell us to go out and make disciples of all the nations help us to understand the meaning of discipleship within the boundaries of salvation in Jesus Name 

Amen


Blessings

Toby

Dr Marishjean Paton Dr.Div PhD

Melqowsh Ministries and Melqowsh Bible College




Our thanks to Toby for this month’s Blog contribution


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