Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
You cannot earn salvation but grace is required and no one receives grace in the new covenant without baptism the outward sign of the new covenant!In Luke 14, Jesus lays out the terms of discipleship. There were great crowds following Him. Everyone loved the miracles, healing, and free food. Jesus was cool, the talk of the town, and the latest fad. But He knew their hearts. He knew they desired the benefits of what He did rather than an understanding of who He was. They loved His gifts, not the life He was calling them to. So He explained what it takes to be one of His followers:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-33).
Jesus said a lot in those simple illustrations. He quickly put an end to the idea that He offered some kind of welfare program. Although the gift of eternal life is free to anyone who asks (John 3:16), the asking requires a transfer of ownership (Luke 9:23; Galatians 5:24). “Counting the cost” means recognizing and agreeing to some terms first. In following Christ, we cannot simply follow our own inclinations. We cannot follow Him and the world’s way at the same time (Matthew 7:13-14). Following Him may mean we lose relationships, dreams, material things, or even our lives.
Those who are following Jesus simply for what they can get won’t stick around when the going gets tough. When God’s way conflicts with our way, we will feel betrayed by the shallow, me-first faith we have bought into. If we have not counted the cost of being His child, we will turn away at the threat of sacrifice and find something else to gratify our selfish desires (cf. Mark 4:5, 16-17). In Jesus’ earthly ministry, there came a time when the free food stopped and public opinion turned ugly. The cheering crowds became jeering crowds. And Jesus knew ahead of time that would happen.
Jesus ended His description of the cost of discipleship with a breathtaking statement: "Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). “Renouncing” may mean we give up something physically, but more often it means we let go emotionally so that what we possess no longer possesses us. When we become one of His, we cannot continue to belong to this world (1 John 2:15-17). We must make a choice, for we cannot serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). The rich young ruler, when confronted with that choice, turned his back on Jesus (Luke 18:18-25).
Suppose you learned that you had been given an all-expense-paid condo on a beach in Tahiti, complete with airfare, a car, food, and a maid. You could brag about your new lifestyle, plan for it, and dream about it. But until you pack up and leave your current home, the new life is never really yours. You cannot live in Tahiti and your current hometown at the same time. Many people approach Christianity the same way. They love the idea of eternal life, escaping hell, and having Jesus at their beck and call. But they are not willing to leave the life they now live. Their desires, lifestyle, and sinful habits are too precious to them. Their lives may exhibit a token change—starting to attend church or giving up a major sin—but they want to retain ownership of everything else. Jesus is speaking in Luke 14 to those with that mindset.
We cannot earn salvation by lifestyle change or any other good deed (Ephesians 2:8-9). But when we choose to follow Christ, we are releasing control of our lives. When Jesus is in control, pure living results (1 John 3:4-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17). In Jesus’ parable of the sower, it was only the soil that allowed the seed to put down roots and bear fruit that was called “good.” If we are going to be disciples of Christ, we must first count the cost of following Him.got?
hope this helps !!!
You should study the topic on this thread you created. My last post is clear many disciples turned away from Him for they did not count the cost of being His disciples and were not ready to give up everything to follow Him. Jesus demand the same of us today. Read the gospel of John below which coincides with Luke 14.You cannot earn salvation but grace is required and no one receives grace in the new covenant without baptism the outward sign of the new covenant!
By renouncing Catholicism, and embracing Protestantism.How to become a disciple?
The new covenant body of Christ is catholic and must be catholic!By renouncing Catholicism, and embracing Protestantism.
Many are called, but few are chosen.The new covenant body of Christ is catholic and must be catholic!
Major covenants!
Adam:
(Marriage covenant)
Noah:
(Family covenant)
Abraham:
(Tribal covenant)
Moses:
(National covenant)
Jesus Christ:
(Universal covenant)
New and eternal covenant founded by Jesus Christ! Matt 16:18
Universal (Catholic) Jn 1:29 Jn 3:16
How to become a disciple?
How to become a disciple?
What about baptism? Matt 28:19 Jn 4:1By pondering the parables daily, and Jesus' answers to his disciples' questions (biblical meditation).
Baptimal regeneration behold I make all things new new creature in ChristJesus said that when a religious person become his disciple he brings out of his (repository) "new treasures as well as old." That ability comes from understanding a (all) parable(s).
Baptism is a necessary part of obedience. I don't think that every ordinance of baptism demonstrates a person's discipleship. If the Holy Spirit is present at the baptism I think he'll groom you as a disciple, as Jesus' disciples proceeded from John's ministry. They all followed closely. Even Jesus was baptised.What about baptism? Matt 28:19 Jn 4:1
Qualifiers: "WE, having been made to drink from one Spirit"; "INTO CHRIST," knowing him up closeBaptimal regeneration behold I make all things new new creature in Christ
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether war be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
What about baptism? Matt 28:19 Jn 4:1
Not what the Bible says Matt 28:19 Jn 1:4Baptism is a necessary part of obedience. I don't think that every ordinance of baptism demonstrates a person's discipleship. If the Holy Spirit is present at the baptism I think he'll groom you as a disciple, as Jesus' disciples proceeded from John's ministry. They all followed closely. Even Jesus was baptised.
It does not remove free willBaptism doesn't demonstrate certain discipleship, because even Simon the sorcerer was baptised and was renegade: Acts 8:13-24
How to become a disciple?
How to become a disciple?
Start by reading the New Covenant. Don't go to 'church'!How to become a disciple?