Is There a Difference Between a Convert and a Disciple?
- Thread starter DesertWanderer
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Yes. Having the capacity "hearing the words of eternal life" and applying them .Is the work of two . We can plant and water the incorruptible seed but the father must cause the growth if any. Like those in Hebrew 6 . They heard and shared but because the Father was no drawing them they fell away in un-belief (no faith) Many disciples walked away never to follow again.
If he begins the good work of salvation in us he promises he will finish it. (Philippians 1:6) We keep our eye on him with a open heart to our brothers and sisters . I think we could say mix faith looking up the eternal and walking forward the temporal. As sons of God we are not what we will be.
Make it the goal to be of the Twelve.
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?John 6: 65-67
So what you, like a lot of others here, are saying, is that you automatically become a disciple at conversion. Is that right?
How so?
Just so that I am clear, you're saying there is absolutely no role for anyone in the church (pastor, elder, congregant) in this process?
That's the testimony of Scripture. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10. This is also witnessed throughout Acts and other epistles.
That should be apparent. Believe-ism and easy-believe-ism are two examples. For example just say you believe, no evidence of conversion necessary, being a disciple is an option. This of course is contrary to Scripture which qualifies true belief, and goes against 2 Corinthians 3:18ff.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction. 1Th. 1:6
Who was Paul talking about when he mentioned "us?"
Okay, so if the new believers were imitating Paul and Silas, that means they had to have been close relationally. I don't imagine Paul would have written this line of scripture if he hadn't thought it to be an important feature of discipleship.
Furthermore, it is written as an example to pastors and church leaders of today. By letting go of your lectures and sermons and book deals and radio shows, you and others may now have time to do what Paul and Silas did:
Go and make disciples of all nations. And then those disciples will go and make more disciples.
I have learned of what I posted in the Word along with what you have posted. I give you credit for knowing what you posted is from the Word, no please do the same. As for our posts, they refer to two different actualities of the life in Yeshua.........Jesus.
I'm not sure I understand. I will restate the question:
You replied,
Is there any room for another believer to help bring about change in another believer. Or do we depart from that person and let God handle it?
No man can do any work of God unless it is from Him and through us as willing vessels. No man can muster up a work to do a favor for God. Everything done is to His glory and by Him through us...……..
So you admit that another believer can be used by God to disciple another believer. After all, Jesus told us to go and make disciples, not sit around and pray about it. Right?
It is not for me to admit anything. I do confess Jesus-Yeshua as my Lord and Savior. This should be enough for any brother or sister in Him to accept .
As for any believer sharing the Word with someone, this is given by the Holy Spirsit, and all who believe have this gift if they wish and use it. I am afraid, as with all gifts, when we do not avail ourselves to them, they will not materialize. So yes, what you say is true.
God bless you, lots.
The short answer is the level of sacrifice they offer to God. Converts are people that believe in the message, and follow it superficially but disciples save souls for Christ and are committed to their mission. Coverts want TO FOLLOW Jesus, but disciples want to BE LIKE Jesus. Although both, have the same initial goals and intentions. Whats interesting is a disciple can go back to being a convert, and a covert can go on to become a disciple.