A topic for discussion, prayer and study. Andrew Wommack of www.awmi.net and on the TV is teaching that a person can be Born Again and not be a disciple of Jesus. I wish for discussion so no article to read here. Please take time to respond.
A topic for discussion, prayer and study. Andrew Wommack of www.awmi.net and on the TV is teaching that a person can be Born Again and not be a disciple of Jesus. I wish for discussion so no article to read here. Please take time to respond.
I think Luke 8:11-15 is clear about this. People can be born again but never really be disciples.
I'm thinking on this, and I'm having a really hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of a person being born again - which to me speaks of a transformative process, not merely a framed certificate - and not being a disciple - which to me means one who takes an active interest in learning God's ways and living them.
Here are my thoughts...
We are born again by the Word of God,
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
and Jesus said:
Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Now Jesus said that to the Jews because that is who he came for first until it was taken from them.
And, the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch:
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
I don't think you can call yourself a disciple unless you live the Word. That is what it means to be a Christian...to live by the Word of God. That is why the Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Jesus said that there was a narrow way and He is that way.
TC
I'm thinking on this, and I'm having a really hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of a person being born again - which to me speaks of a transformative process, not merely a framed certificate - and not being a disciple - which to me means one who takes an active interest in learning God's ways and living them.
I have not seen him on tv, if they are saying this '' a person can be Born Again and not be a disciple of Jesus'' that is clear heresy. A born-again believer is 100% disciple. There is no clearer confirmation. However, from reading the link you gave I see that he is perhaps 'un-intentionally' getting some wording wrong but overall I have to agree with what he is trying to say, namely 'Not everyone who says they are born again are born again'.
To quote him ''I am not saying that being born again and living eternally with Jesus is not important—it’s essential! (full marks ) I’m saying that we have changed the message from the way Jesus taught it. We have reduced the definition of “born again” to the point that in our society today, it has actually become socially popular to say we’re born again and gain acceptance in certain circles."
I have not seen him on tv, if they are saying this '' a person can be Born Again and not be a disciple of Jesus'' that is clear heresy. A born-again believer is 100% disciple. There is no clearer confirmation. However, from reading the link you gave I see that he is perhaps 'un-intentionally' getting some wording wrong but overall I have to agree with what he is trying to say, namely 'Not everyone who says they are born again are born again'.
To quote him ''I am not saying that being born again and living eternally with Jesus is not important—it’s essential! (full marks ) I’m saying that we have changed the message from the way Jesus taught it. We have reduced the definition of “born again” to the point that in our society today, it has actually become socially popular to say we’re born again and gain acceptance in certain circles."
There are people who discipline themselves and force changes, like a diet, from sin. They stop smoking, drinking, don't see rated r movies, drive the speed limit, and all of this makes them feel like they are good little christians... and this is the fake holy, colossians 2, "do not taste, do not touch, do not see" person Paul describes. One who thinks that their added rules show God and others how good a Xian they are. And it has nothing to do with a change.