What Does It Mean When Paul Says, "follow Me as I Follow Christ," and How Does That Relate to Following Jesus Directly?
1) Direct Answer
Paul’s words mean: imitate a true, Word‑led life only as it mirrors Jesus Christ. We follow no man as an absolute. Christ is the Head. When a servant of God stays with the Word and the Spirit of Christ, following that example is following Jesus. If he departs from the Word, we do not follow.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The condition is clear—only as he follows Christ.
- Paul says, “Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). So the life to imitate is Christ’s life expressed through a yielded vessel.
- “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17). The pattern is a Word‑walk, not personality.
- Christ is the Head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). We never trade the Head for a man.
- God set ministers for perfecting the saints (Ephesians 4:11‑13). True ministry points us to Christ, not to themselves.
- We “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If any voice clashes with Scripture, we stay with God’s Word.
- “Though we, or an angel… preach any other gospel… let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). No message outranks the Bible.
- “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me” (John 10:27). We follow Jesus directly by recognizing His Voice in His Word.
- “Try the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Everything is tested by Scripture.
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- One Head, one Lord—Jesus Christ. He speaks by His Word and Spirit. He also uses servants as signposts. You follow the signpost only because it points to the destination. If it points off the road, you don’t follow the sign—you stay with the road.
- The Spirit and the Word agree. If a minister magnifies the Word and leads you into obedience to Christ, you’re following Jesus through that example. If he adds to or takes from the Word, you stop right there and hold to the Bible.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice: it’s not following a man; it’s following Christ in the man—as long as it is Christ. Stay with the Word. Christ remains the absolute, and every true servant merely points to Him.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Concerned and convinced
62-0610E §23
...e precious words. And ... Again the next day after Jesus stood, and two of his disciples; [Pardon me] ... after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He said unto them, Come and see. And ... They came and saw where...
What does thou here?
59-0301E §4
You know, the walk that we make makes an example for others. It really is. An old story of some years ago in England... There was a man; he thought he would go out and have a little friendly drink at Christmas time, just for fellowship. And he went out among his neighbors, and he was exchanging presents. And everybody would say to him, "Now, John, just take a drink of this." And a little sip here, and a little sip there, and he got really intoxicated. And on his road home, there'd come a snow of about six inches. A...
An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages
CAB 7:E-85
We now face the question as to why they should be given eternal life at the judgment since the Epistles seem to conclusively point out that one must possess the Spirit of Christ or perish. Though it seems thus, we must not discredit the words of Jesus Who most pointedly sets forth that there are some found in the Book of Life who will either receive eternal life before the general resurrection or after it. Paul does not evade this truth for he most clearly says in Philippians 3:11, "If by any means I might attain t...
God's Way that's been made for us
52-0900 §72
Now, look here, brother. I got a whole scrip bag full of it, tonight. And I ain't going to put it on the Baptist church, Methodist church, the Presbyterian church, or the Pentecostal church. I'm putting It on Christ Jesus, where It belongs, and you sick sheep go to licking and you're sure to get something out of It. Yes, sir. Lick on Him. Like that old man [unclear words]. Lick on Him; you'll get it. Don't pay no attention to what your church says. Pay attention to Christ. Follow Him, for in Him, He is the church....
Questions and Answers on Genesis
53-0729 §25
Now, notice. God knew in the beginning that He was going to have men and women, and He knew that the Saviour would be here and He'd have to bring Jesus, and He'd be crucified. And Jesus told the disciples, when He was here on earth, that He knew them even before the foundation of the world, before the world ever come into existence. And God said, also ... or, Paul speaking, in Galatians, said that He ordained us and called us in Him before the world was ever formed. Think of that! That God... Anybody would like to...