Christian churches are filled with pastors and teachers who are referred to as leaders. There are only 3 places in the Old Testament where the word, “leader” is used (KJV search) and one of them is a Messianic prophecy about Jesus (1 Chronicles 12:27, 1 Chronicles 13:1, Isaiah 55:4). Yet there are numerous Christian books about being a good Christian leader. We are to be followers, not leaders. Scriptures used to justify submitting to our Christian leaders are:

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1 KJV

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Heb 13:7 (KJV)

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Heb 13:17 (KJV)

Christians are called to test, and not blindly believe everything as the following Scriptures affirm:

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess 5:21 (KJV)

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matt 15:14 (KJV)

In this article, we will study this scripture carefully to determine:

  • What does this say?
  • What does it mean?
  • What am I supposed to do about it?

Alternate Translations First, let’s look at some alternate readings. I won’t go into a comparison of translations here, but it is important to realize that the King James “Authorized Version” was written 400 years ago. Because English is a “living” language (meaning that people use it in everyday life), words change meanings, phrases take on different connotations, and people understand language differently than they did even ten years ago. Just watch a typical parent trying to talk to their typical teenager!

The New King James Version phrases it, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” The New International reads, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” It’s interesting that the NKJV drops the word, “follower”. To “imitate” someone has a different connotation than to “follow” someone. Imitation is primarily related to copying someone’s actions. Similarly, the NIV’s “follow my example” takes the focus off of following “me”, and onto following “my actions”.

Sometimes we hear leaders emphasize how we are to follow or obey them. The Greek word used here in this context is kathos, which means “just as” or “inasmuch as”. There are 2 ways to interpret this.

  1. “Follow me since I follow Christ” or “Follow me because I follow Christ.” This is not a bad way to read it, but there is a subtle danger.
  2. “Follow me to the extent that I follow Christ”. And in the areas where I am less mature than you, consider what I say in that regard with a grain of salt, perhaps doing it the way you are now doing it and not the way I am proposing to you on how to do it.

The real test of a follower of Christ is one who seeks to be the servant of all, esteeming others better than himself. Those are the ones Jesus said are great in the kingdom of God. And remember those who seek to be first, shall be last. Let us not be many teachers as James the Apostle says:

NIV James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Other sources of information contributing to this section:

http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/spiritual/the_organized_church/leaders_followers.htm