chapter 1
Discipleship
Introduction

chapter 2
Discipleship
Sharing
Partaking
chapter 3
Discipleship
Apostolic
Foundation
chapter 4
Discipleship
Growing Up
In Christ
chapter 5
Discipleship
Koinonia &
Fellowship
chapter 6
Discipleship
Model of
Jesus' Life
& Ministry
chapter 7
Discipleship
Christian
Issues
chapter 8
Discipleship
The Matter
of
Ministry
chapter 9
Discipleship
Giving &
Support of
Ministries
chapter 10
Discipleship
True
Worshipers
chapter 11
Discipleship



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Next Chapter Discipleship 02

 


INTRODUCTION TO DISCIPLESHIP

Believers need to be nurtured in order to grow as disciples.
The familiar church-house model is not the original New Testament model. The doctrines of Christ are defined  throughout Scripture with the word translated "Church" which is ekklasia (ecclesia) in the original Greek text.  Ecclasia is a form of gathering in which members come together to transact specific business . In the case of Christian Ecclesia it is the business of the heavenly shepherd, Christ Jesus. In such a called out body, all  members are called to participate  actively. In this body called out of the world by the Spirit to be a part of Christ's Body, (He is the head) all members bring with them unique abilities, gifts or enablements. The Grace of G-d provides enablement of many gifts that are needed for Spiritual fellowship and growth in understanding. (1 Peter 4:11)

The Holy Spirit is the divine personage who brings forth the varied enablements of Grace. Experience in the Kingdom of G-d produces 'G-d Stories.'
These testimonies build faith.  Testimonies are G-d stories that denote the dynamics of heaven touching us of the "Body" (called out assembly of believers.) Spiritual gifts are enablements that bear witness of G-d's presence in the present moment.  Church house religion too often lacks any such experience of G-d in the present moment.

Among the assertions I wish to present is that we may not only know G-d, but that we all (men, women, boys, or girls) can have a spiritually empowered life. The "church" as Jesus Christ established it, was given this provision. But in spite of this provision, both knowing G-d and  developing a spiritual life, is often occluded in the institutional church. Time. Circumstance and unrelenting forces of spiritual resistance (authored by the adversary) are embattled against believers, to derail or to side track us from attaining the spiritual life. Human traditions are instigated instead. Jude, half brother and an apostle of Jesus, writes that we must, " - - earnestly contend for the faith given to us by the apostles.

AN INTRODUCTION TO DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLING
Disciples, Learning the "Way" The foundation of the life of Christ is laid by becoming a disciple of Jesus. Just as he made disciples in the time of his earthly ministry so he continues today. (John 8:21 ; 17:20) The Christian world through religion has made the life of the Bible remote and impersonal. It has made Peter, James and John or John the Baptist into icons or religious folk heroes. The sense of their being our brothers, sharing the same life of trials and faith has been all but lost. In our minds Bible days were another time, another faith, another dispensation. This is not the case. Religious tradition places men on pedestals and this should not be the case because it is contrary to every apostolic and Christ-uttered teaching. G-d does not show favoritism nor does he show respect of persons.

A short time after the apostolic age, the lust for human authority and impure motives were continuously assailing the apostolic forms and doctrines of belief with its liberty and Spiritual forms of worship. We are entitled to these authentic teachings as Christian believers. I will offer no doctrine or methodology contrary to Biblical teaching.

The Christian life, being Holy Spirit inspired, is not of human authorship nor human tradition. It is the way that I have found to be powerful and fulfiling, it is both genuine and effective and it is in accord with the Bible.

Discipleship described here is one and the same presented by G-d Almighty to the saints and apostles in the beginning of this church age.  Since so many others attempt to mentor and advise others about the spiritual life, and since there has been a history of problems and deception promulgated in the name of Christ, it is important that we proceed with wisdom and the guidance of the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit. 

G-d has told us through the Word (James) that we may ask for wisdom or truth to be revealed to us. He further instructs us to be confident knowing that G-d is willing to give good gifts which bring fulfillment and blessings and not sorrows. When seeking the revelations which are of G-d, or from G-d, it is up to the seeker to be on guard against deceptions and to discern the true from the false. In asking for anything from G-d it is very important to invoke the name of Jesus Christ. For his is the name above every name!

The Bible teaches that Jesus' name commands all powers of heaven and earth. It is above the authority of any other G-d or angel or worldly authority. The word states that at his name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess the lordship of that name.  It is in His name that we can consecrate any prayer or any request. It is a safeguard and assurance that anything which will be revealed or imparted spiritually will be free of any corrupt or deceptive influence. If you ask in Jesus, name the deceiver is less likely to work his way in establishing of the Kingdom of G-d. 

The Spirit in the Seeker, the Spirit of Him being Sought 

The true Spirit of Christ Jesus is the spirit of love, forgiveness, gentleness, meekness, selflessness, and patience. It is not tinged with fear, with condemnation, with urgency or panic, It is not contaminated by a lust for personal gain, ownership of another or any desire to control or manipulate another person. Check yourself if you are seeking with motives containing any of the negatives stated above for they are contrary to the nature of the G-d who will insure your being lead into truth.

Receiving True Gifts and not Counterfeit   
Jesus instructs us about receiving gifts from G-d, especially the gift of the Holy Spirit. He teaches us that the G-d of heaven gives good gifts and not devilish or perverted ones. Christ also characterizes the fact that there are two kinds of vendors who might bring forth gifts but G-d's gifts are good and true. Let us look at the scripture found in Matthew 7:8-11 and in Luke 11:11-13: These shed light on Spiritual gifts. 

"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."Matt 6:8;"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?" :9; "Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?":10; "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" -- :11.kjv  The two gifts which are requested are bread and a fish, G-d gives things which are life-giving (bread) and safe (meat of fish). Luke chapter eleven restates the same teaching about asking from G-d the Father with a slightly different emphasis, and includes the gift of the Holy Spirit which is the living gift of G-d's power and presence:  "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"; "Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?"  "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" -- Luke 11:11-13 kjv. 

The references to the counterfeit gifts are not just coincidental or random examples they represent the fact that there is a source of the bad gift. The enemy is Satan. He does not give good gifts, nor give valid revelations. His gifts are not life giving, they give neither joy, nor health nor liberty. Yet it is possible that he will try to come in unless you exclude him from having any part of the asking and seeking transaction (namely the spiritual search for a spiritual life.) Satan's gift is characterized as a stone instead of bread, as a serpent instead of pure food, a poisonous scorpion instead of an egg.  Jesus has portrayed Satan as the deadly counterfeiter who will insinuate himself into the seekers life subtly and at any opportunity. Forewarned is forearmed; for this reason we will need to initiate safe guards and precautions as I suggested above in order to keep the deceiver out of your life.  There was a time when our lives were entirely under his (Satan's) control. We may not think that this was the case but the apostle is very clear about it. A couple of apostolic letters bring attention to the nature of the unredeemed life, common to each and every life before that life is renewed In Christ. 

Paul states in his letter to Ephesus, Chapter 2, verses 2 and 3."- - in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, (Satan) the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."  Paul's letter to Colossae, Chapter 1 verse 21."And you, that were sometime before now) alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled"  Paul's letter to Corinth, Chapter 1 verses 10 and 11, "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of G-d; And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our G-d."