Hi Scott,
I'm glad you put disciple in quotation marks because a disciple of Jesus is already saved. We DO have a problem with terms in Christianity!
Jesus said to Peter: Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.
Mathew 4:19
Jesus told the Apostles to make disciples of men by teaching them what Jesus
taught. Mathew 28:19
So we "fish" for men. We are disciples and we wish to make disciples.
There is a specific definition of what a disciple is:
1. He has a deep love for Christ.
2. He has an unshakable faith and confidence in the Word of God.
3. He is committed to Christ in obedience and service.
4. He reads the bible.
5. He likes to pray and communiate with God.
6. He loves his fellow man.
7. He likes to witness
(from Dynamics of Discipling, Arts Publications [modifications by me] )
We pray that they stay saved!!
Your no. 2 is very true and simply and well said.
Christ-Christian...
This is what I was referring to:
Many Disciples Turn Away
60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard
this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62
What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and
they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that
time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot,
the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
John 6
...Those who are saved...do not walk away and "
walk with Him no more."