BibleFacts

Discipleship

 On Bible Studies

The word disciple, MaqhthV, means someone who believes and practices everything Jesus taught. The Bible is the instruction manual for life, follow it and you will miss the bad things and achieve the purpose you were designed for.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (NRSV)
1 John 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Luke 6:27-38 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." (NRSV)

Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (NRSV)

Romans 12:9-21 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NRSV)

Ephesians 4:1-3,13-15,23-32 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (NRSV)

Philippians 2:2-3,14 be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, (NRSV)

Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (NRSV)
Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. (NRSV)
Ephesians 4:25-32 Wherefore putting away lying...29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth... 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)
1 Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (NIV)
1Thessalonians 5:8, 11-19 ...let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. (NIV)
1 Peter 3:10-12 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:7-9 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (NIV)

In Mark 9:38-40 Jesus forbids dividing the Church.

In 1 Corinthians 1:13-17 Paul mentions the dividing over baptisms is foolish and in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 he says they that do such things are spiritual infants and in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 he continues to say that God will destroy any work built on unnecessary division. This is destroying the body of Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 Paul says it does not matter whether or not you eating meat sacrificed to idols or observe holy days. Those that think it matters are "week in the faith" and we need to explain why it is OK before doing it in front of them. In Revelation 2:20 Jezebel was teaching Christians to practice paganism, which is completely different.

In Galatians 2:4 Paul teaches that those who divide the body over circumcision are false brothers.
1 Corinthians 14 mature Christians do things decently and in order

Mature Christians know:

  1. To verify information before telling others so they will not be spreading rumors or caught in a lie.
  2. In 1 Corinthians 12:30, that not everyone has the same gifts (most Christians are not supposed to speak in tongues)
  3. In 1 Corinthians 7 God wants some to be married and others to be single.
  4. In Romans 12 mature Christians do not judge the way someone else serves God. Compare also the Didache, when it says not to judge prophets who do strange things.
  5. Hebrews 6
  6. In 1 Timothy 1:4, 6:20 we are to avoid foolish and vain speculations.
  7. Paul stated if we have the faith of Abraham, Romans 4, we would be saved. He looked forward to God sending a redeemer.
  8. Not to pray in public for the purpose of witnessing, Matthew 6:5.
  9. Not to se vain repetitions or meditative techniques, Matthew 6.

 

Compare the following OT laws that are not binding on Christians and in some cases illegal in the USA.

Illegal today that was legal in Moses time.

  1. Buying a Bride, Prearranged marriages, Polygamy, marrying a girl as early as 13 (allowed)
  2. Sister-in-Law clause (required)
  3. Stoning disobedient Children (required)
  4. Putting Murderers to death yourself (required)
  5. The Killing of witches and homosexuals (required)
  6. Capital Punishment (required) This now is illegal in some states.
  7. The Church punishing offenders (required) Today this would be called racketeering.

Legal today that was illegal in Moses time.

  1. Usury (our whole society exists on lending and interest rates)

Dangerous because of a modern law.

  1. Lending, and borrowing.
    • current law says if someone borrows a tool and hurts themselves you may be liable. (esp. children)
  2. Helping an wounded person
    • May be sued for endangerment of the person if you move a person just in an accident.

Today liberals use these to try to convince others that they do not have to obey the following commands clearly taught in the New Testament:

  1. A wife's must be obedience to her husband
  2. Divorce is not an option
  3. Disciplining children (corporal punishment)
  4. Women clergy (women speaking in church)
  5. Gay marriages and clergy
  6. Usury

Notes:
In Deut 14:21 Jews can't eat meat from a strangled animal but they can sell it to gentiles, but in Acts 15 Gentile Christians can't eat it either.
 

 

www.biblefacts.org Date: 10-1994