Discipleship (was Re: Talk of Unsubscribing and the Holy Ghost)

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Brother Tyler wrote:
| [snip]
| there's no further instruction to lean on the Holy Ghost, gain strength,
| and guidance.  How can we lean on God for strength when there are
| examples around us all of the time of Apostolics *not* leaning on the
| Holy Ghost for guidance, strength, and direction?  I think that very
| few ministers/pastors teach that very guidance of the Holy Ghost that
| I speak of.  
| [snip]

Kathy Dimick writes:
This brings up the subject of 'new converts' again.  One of the churches I
attended in NJ had a class called 'Discipleship Class'.  This is where
those very kind of things were taught.  I believe it is **imperative** to
disciple new saints and for that matter, saints who have been around a
while.  It was Jesus' command to make disciples.

(Mat 28:19 KJV)  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

teach = 3100. matheteuo, math-ayt-yoo'-o; from G3101; intrans. to become a
pupil; trans. to disciple, i.e. enroll as scholar:--be disciple, instruct,
teach.

(Mat 28:20 KJV)  "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen."

And it was the modus operandi of Paul:

(Acts 14:21 KJV)  "And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and
had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and
Antioch,"

taught = (see 'matheteuo' above)

Here is an example of how a disciple differs from a new convert:

(Luke 14:26-27 KJV)  "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and
mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own
life also, he cannot be my disciple. {27} And whosoever doth not bear his
cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."

A disciple is taught to lean on Jesus, how to trust Him completely, without
regard for earthly consequences.

A disciple is taught that this world is not our home:

(Luke 14:33 KJV)  "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not
all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

A disciple is taught not to rely on earthly means, mechanisms and people
for his/her life and being. A disciple is taught how to walk in the Spirit,
to lean not unto their own understanding and in all their ways to
acknowledge God as Lord (ruler, master) of their life.

(John 8:31-32 KJV)  "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; {32} And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

There is a difference between being set free and being made free.  The
Declaration of Independence set America free from tyrannous oppression but
the Constitution makes Americans free (through the Bill of Rights).  The
Emancipation Proclamation set the slaves free but the Civil Rights Bill
(and movement) made them free.  A man who has been let out of prison is set
free, though he is still the same man with a conviction upon him.  A man
who has been pardoned is made free of guilt.  But even still, unless the
man is given the means, method and opportunity to do right, he may not be
truly free (of his unlawful nature).  We as Christians are set free by the
death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but we are made free (given
the means, method and opportunity to do right) by the action of the Holy
Ghost through the Truth of the Word.  A disciple is one who actively and
consistently seeks the Truth which is made alive by the Spirit.

(John 13:35 KJV)  "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if
ye have love one to another."

(John 15:8 KJV)  "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples."

An example of being led by the Spirit:


Saul converted preaches Christ

(Acts 9:10-17 KJV)  "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named
Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said,
Behold, I am here, Lord. {11} And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, {12} And hath seen
in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him,
that he might receive his sight. {13} Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have
heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at
Jerusalem: {14} And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind
all that call on thy name. {15} But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for
he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and
kings, and the children of Israel: {16} For I will show him how great
things he must suffer for my name's sake. {17} And Ananias went his way,
and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother
Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou
camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled
with the Holy Ghost."

--- Listen to the Holy Ghost, do what He direct you to. ---

(Acts 9:36 KJV)  "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,
which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works
and almsdeeds which she did."

-- Do good works and almsdeeds (compassionateness).--

(Acts 11:29 KJV)  "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability,
determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:"

-- Give. --

(Acts 13:52 KJV)  "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the
Holy Ghost."

-- Be filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost! Amen.--

Christians are directed to establish, reestablish, and exhort saints.  This
is to disciple. (Note: it is not to judge, condemn, or control. See Acts
15:10)

(Acts 14:22 KJV)  "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting
them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation
enter into the kingdom of God."

confirming = 1991. episterizo, ep-ee-stay-rid'-zo; from G1909 and G4741; to
support further, i.e. reestablish:--confirm, strengthen.


Kathy Dimick
Falkville, Alabama
kdimick@colsa.com
http://members.tripod.com/~coffeepleaz/index.html

"For to me to live is Christ"