Mattathias
Well-known member
Do disciples convert?
Do disciples convert?
SteVen
Active member
Hey!
I'm not sayin' that!
Right.
I suppose your old cronies claim that you didn't persevere to the end, right?
Yup.
Does the Parable of the Sower actually say that?
A person's soil type can change.
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SteVen
Active member
Waiting on Him
Active member
What was it the disciples of the first century converted from?
Mattathias
Well-known member
That’s right. You didn’t say that. I did, to set up the story.
Yes. And they were right. I told them and their deity, in not so many words, that it could go and pound sand. It’s an idol.
“The one whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”
(Matthew 13:21)
What happens when he falls away?
Mattathias
Well-known member
I agree. Would you say that someone who begins as a disciple / convert could reject the teacher and become the disciple / convert of another teacher?
Mattathias
Well-known member
Is your question concerning Jewish or gentile disciples?
mailmandan
New member
1 John 3:9 (AMP) - No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.
Simply believing in our head (and not in our heart) that God raised Him from the dead does not result in righteousness and simply giving "lip service" to the words "Jesus is Lord" not by the Holy Spirit is not unto salvation. The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."
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mailmandan
New member
I've heard certain individuals interpret Romans 10:9-10 in such a way that means we can believe unto righteousness today (but are still lost) until we verbally confess Christ to a group of people, which may be next week and then we are finally saved next week, but I don't believe that is what Paul is talking about here. Also, someone who is mute (unable to speak) would remain lost according to that interpretation of Romans 10:9,10 for failing to "verbally confess with their mouth."
Believing had a starting point in the past yet it continues with ongoing present results. In regard to ongoing confession, in Matthew 10:32-33, the broader context of this passage relates to the fact that the Pharisees had continuously denied Jesus while the disciples spoke about Him everywhere they went. We might paraphrase His teaching this way: "Whoever confesses me before men (such as you disciples), I will confess him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before men (like these Pharisees do on every occasion they get), I will deny him before my Father in heaven.
The word for "deny" is an aorist tense. This points to the fact that Jesus is not talking about a single instance of denial (as was the case with Peter, who had a weak moment and actually denied Christ three times - Luke 22:34) but is referring to life in its entirety. Hence, the person who throughout his life denies Christ (as was typically the case with the Pharisees and includes unbelievers who may even give mere "lip service confession" - Matthew 7:21-23 but lack saving faith in Christ) will be denied by Christ before the Father.
I don't reference 1 John 3:9 nearly enough. Thanks!
SteVen
Active member
That's an interesting question, thanks.
I hope my response isn't too glib.
They converted from a life of sin to follow Jesus.
Those who were Jews, were still Jews. Those who were gentiles, were still gentiles.
In fact, the term Christian didn't appear until much later, as I understand it.
And as a derogatory label initially. "Little Christ's" = Christ-ians
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SteVen
Active member
I think that's where the Good Shepherd steps in.
He leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one to bring them back.
Which probably involves some soil-conditioning. - LOL
Hosea 10:12 KJV
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground:
for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
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