Christian Discipleship and the Local Church

By Steve Urick

When a person becomes a Christian the ongoing work of discipleship continues. The intake of sound Bible doctrine into the soul is vital in order to grow spiritually strong and mature. This is where the crucial role of the local church comes in. Every believer needs to be taught by qualified leaders (evangelists, pastor-teachers, etc.) and be ministered to by various other gifted members of the body of Christ.

Christian Discipleship and the Local Church gives basic knowledge to find a good church, discover one's spiritual gift/s, and advance in the Christian life. It also equips Christians with concise and easy to read material to use when doing the life-changing work of discipling others. It can even be used for church-planting or strengthening existing churches.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477286340

Steve Urick

Steve Urick was saved at a Billy Graham Crusade in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1979, at age 21. He then began doing various evangelistic outreaches and also attended Moody Bible Institute and studied theology and evangelism. In 1989, Steve began writing Soul Seeker Tracts and, in 1999, formed Gospel Press, a gospel and apologetics publishing ministry that grounds Christians in the basics of Christianity and equips them for the work of evangelism and discipleship. So far, tens-of-thousands of Bible tracts and booklets have been sent across America and around the world.

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© 2012 by Steve Urick. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/05/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8633-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-8634-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012920471

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

1 Bible Truths for New Christians

2 Biblical Separation

3 The Christian vs. Sin, Satan, and the World

4 Marks of Cults and False Religions

5 Water Baptism

6 Marks of an Effective Church

7 Membership in the Local Church

8 Discipleship and the Local Church

9 Church Offices, Spiritual Gifts, and Men’s and Women’s Roles in the Local Church

10 The Judgment Seat of Christ (and the Believer’s Reward or Loss of Rewards)

Epilogue: A Tale of Two Dogs

Appendix I: The Importance of Bible Doctrine

Appendix II: Doctrine of the New Testament Church

Appendix III: Doctrine of True Worship

Appendix IV: Doctrine of Evangelism

Appendix V: Music and Corporate Worship

Appendix VI: Has Your Church Been Deceived by the Modern Church Growth Movement?

Appendix VII: To Date or to Betroth?

Appendix VIII: Saved—or ‘Being Saved’?

GLOSSARY

Recommended Resources

All Scripture quotes are taken from the King James Bible.

Christian Discipleship and the Local Church

This book is an edited and expanded compilation of 10

Soul Seeker Tracts, written between 1989-1997. Other

paperbacks, eBooks, and booklets by the author include:

Acts One Dispensationalism

The Fundamentals of the Christian Faith

Evangelism and Christian Apologetics

Practical Christian Living

Major Cults and False World Religions

False Teachings and Divisive Movements

The Church in the Coming Great Tribulation

Nowmillennial Dispensationalism

Signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

and the End of the World

The Truth About Roman Catholicism

The False Gospel of Sacramental Salvation

The Person and Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Copies and information can be obtained by contacting:

Gospel Press

P.O. Box 100092, Cudahy, WI 53110 U.S.A.

www.gospelpress.org (booklets and tracts)

For paperbacks and eBooks, go to:

www.authorhouse.com

www.amazon.com

This book is dedicated to the many Christians

who taught me over time, especially Virginia Basina,

Victor Rubbo, and Paul Sweeney who, 33 years ago,

very patiently discipled me as a new Christian.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . .

Matthew 28:19

"And they continued stedfastly in the

apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in

breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Acts 2:42

"Whether, therefore ye eat, or drink, or

whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

" . . . that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to

behave in the house of God, which is the church

of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth."

2 Timothy 3:9

1

Bible Truths

for New Christians

Receiving Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior was the most important decision you ever made. You were saved from the guilt and penalty of sin the very moment you placed your faith in Christ (1 Cor. 15:2; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 2:13-14). At present, you are being saved from the power and dominion of sin as you learn to let Christ live His life through you (Rom. 6:11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17). In the future, you will be saved from the presence of sin at the resurrection or rapture of all believers (our gathering together to be with Jesus in the air at His return—1 Cor. 15:50-53; 1 Thess. 4:15-17).

It is crucial to know that the Christian life is a life that can only be lived by faith, not by feelings. Many struggle as they try to be spiritual, only to end up in defeat and disillusionment. Christians are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and we advance toward spiritual maturity by continued faith in Him and His Word (Gal. 5:5-6).

The Christian way of life then brings joy and satisfaction when one discovers that CHRIST IS OUR LIFE (Col. 3:4). The following gives basic principles for spiritual growth.

IDENTIFICATION

Romans, chapter 6, tells us believers are in union with Christ. If you are a Christian, Christ lives within you and you now share life with Him who is the true God and eternal life (1 Jn. 5:20). The key thing to realize is that you must reckon yourself to be dead to sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:11).

Sin no longer has dominion over you for he who has died has been freed from sin (Rom. 6:8). By faith, yield yourself now to God as an instrument of righteousness—"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of [or in] the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself [as a sacrifice] for me" (Gal. 2:20).

ABIDING LOVE AND OBEDIENCE

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (Jn. 14:15). He also said, "Abide [remain] in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me . . . for without me ye can do nothing" (Jn. 15:4, 5).

Our motivation for following Christ should be based upon a deep love and heart gratitude toward Him who loved us first and died for us. So determine from now on to love the Lord Jesus supremely. Only then can one be set free from the drudgery of trying to live for God.

SEPARATION AND HOLINESS

When you became a Christian, you became the property of God. You were bought with a price: "therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" (1 Cor. 6:20). You are also a new creature in Christ—Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW (2 Cor. 5:17).

We must love not the world [the evil, satanic system of thinking and conduct] neither the things that are in the world (1 Jn. 2:15). Rather, we must COME OUT from among them [unbelievers], and BE YE SEPARATE" (2 Cor. 6:17).

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE THEM" (Eph. 5:11).

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit [sinful habits/thinking], perfecting [growing and maturing in] holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1).

[Note: Biblical separation does not mean we hide in our homes and churches and have no contact with unbelievers; but rather, we do not allow the world to influence our thinking and lifestyle to where we compromise biblical standards of right and wrong. Christians are in the world, but not of the world. For more information, read chapter 2.]

KEEP SHORT ACCOUNTS

When you trusted in Christ, you received the permanent bath of salvation (Jn. 13:10). But as we walk through this life we get our feet dirty by sinning (1 Jn. 1:8). Yet, "if we confess [Gr. homologeo, to speak the same thing, agree with God] our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9).

We can and should go directly to God through Jesus Christ, who is our one and only Mediator and Advocate between God and man (see 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:1). This also allows us to be filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit again. God is patient, like a loving father is with his children, but if we refuse to humble ourselves and repent of our sins, God will eventually bring the chastening of the Lord into our lives to get us back on track so we can be partakers of his holiness (Heb. 12:5-14).

"My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [disciplines], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb. 12:5, 6).

[Note: Some say Christians should not confess their sins to God after they get saved because all their sins have been washed away by the blood of Christ (Rom. 3:24-25; Rev. 1:5). While it is true that a Christian’s sins are judicially or legally forgiven forever through faith in Christ alone (Jn. 5:24; Col. 2:14), this does not mean it is wrong to acknowledge our sins to God when we do sin and agree with Him that we did wrong. As believers, confessing our sins to God (and/or each other) is not for the purpose of getting saved, or to stay saved; but rather, is part of our daily sanctification and purifying our lives before our God who calls us to think and live holy (Acts 19:18; 2 Cor. 2:2, 10; 7:1, 9; Jas.4:5-10; 5:16; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). Forgiveness, in this case, is viewed as being familial; that is, dealing with our relationship as members of the family of God.]

BIBLE STUDY

As a newborn babe in Christ you should desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (2 Pet. 2:2). As a disciple (learner) of Jesus Christ, you will acquire knowledge, spiritual understanding, wisdom, strength, encouragement, peace, and joy as you saturate your heart and mind with sound Bible doctrine, which is God’s Word (Col. 1:9-10; Ps. 1:1-3; Prov. 1:2-9). God’s sovereign plan and will for your life is contained in its pages, so get to know it! How?

1. Read it DEVOTIONALLY. Get to know God. Set aside what some call a daily quiet time (DQT) to read.

2. Read it EXTENSIVELY. Like a novel, book by book, over and over. Never stop reading the Bible (especially the New Testament, since we are living in the Christian era).

3. Read it PRAYERFULLY. Ask God to reveal its truths and give you understanding to apply to your life for successful, holy living.

4. Read and study it SYSTEMATICALLY.

Observe the text by looking for key words and grammatical construction (verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives), advice, warnings, promises, repetitions, commands, emphatic statements, and questions.

Interpret the text by asking key questions—who is speaking to whom, about what, when, where, and why? Use a good Bible translation, such as the King James or New King James Version. Is the scripture verse to be taken literal, symbolic, poetic, rhetorical, apocalyptic, or hyperbolic (an exaggerated statement, e.g., 1 Cor. 13:1)?

Define key words by using an original Hebrew/Greek concordance and Bible dictionary (e.g., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Vine’s Expository Dictionary, Unger’s Bible Dictionary, etc.).

Key: Consider the historical times (or dispensational setting) it was written, such as the Jews under the Law of Moses in Old Testament times (before Christ was crucified) and in the book of Acts vs. the Christian Gentiles under pure grace.

The Golden Rule of Interpretation

When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, but take every word at its primary, normal, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context would make nonsense.

Compare scripture with scripture. Next to keeping things in context, this is probably the most important principle of all when interpreting the Bible. Examine all scripture passages related to the subject being studied. Use marginal Bible references, a Concordance, and maybe a Topical Bible (Nave’s Topical Bible).

Remember, the Bible is like a puzzle that interprets itself. Stick with it. Also, check with a good Bible commentary or two afterwards for added insight. Wrestle with possible meanings and don’t give up!

Apply relevant scriptures by obeying God’s commands.

Finally, meditate (think) upon and memorize Scripture (Ps. 1:1-3; 119:11; Col. 3:16).

[Note: Not all the Bible pertains to Christians today. What was written to the Jews in the Old Testament, the Four Gospels, and the book of Acts, while under the Mosaic (Levitical Sinai-Torah) Law, no longer applies to Christians today under the dispensation of grace (read Acts 15; 21:17-26, and Galatians). So when interpreting the Bible, always ask who is speaking to whom, about what, when, and where and does it apply to me today? If so, how? Always consider the dispensational (time or age) setting it was written. Failure to do so has created all sorts of problems today, ranging from confusion, division, and heretical teachings in the church, to full-blown cults. For help in learning how to interpret the Bible, read the author’s book: Acts One Dispensationalism.]

PRAYER

Prayer is simply talking to God and takes on different forms:

• Supplication — Petitioning God with our needs in mind.

• Intercession — Petitioning God with another’s need in mind.

• Thanksgiving — Thanking God for what He has done.

• Praise — Joyful worship of our great God and Savior.

Believers are free to disclose their deepest longings and vexations to God, including their feelings, fears, secrets, sins, praises, petitions, doubts, concerns, troubles, complaints, thanksgiving, and so on. No Christian can advance toward spiritual victory and maturity apart from prayer. Prayer plays a crucial role in drawing us near to God and forces us to learn His will (and align ourselves with it) and to ask accordingly.

Prayer may even include a short or extended period of fasting (which gets us off our physical appetites and addictions, detoxifies us, and helps us refocus on issues pertaining to the soul and spirit and dealing with it, such as sin, relationships, God’s will, etc.), depending on the urgency or importance of the matter being prayed about. God doesn’t need us to pray (He knows everything), but He chooses to work through believers and answer when they do pray, in faith. God, who hears, understands, and sympathizes (Heb. 4:14-16), is very relational and delights in hearing from His children.

James 4:2-3 says we have not because we ask not. This does not mean God must give us whatever we ask for, but many Christians lack simply because they do not go to their heavenly Father in prayer and ask. Some believers are almost embarrassed or feel that they are troubling the Almighty Creator of the universe if they ask Him for help or good things. This is a result of spiritual immaturity, not humility.

Some tips on prayer:

1. Take time for daily prayer, preferably in a private place (Mark 1:35) and tell God the things you want and need. Be specific (Jas. 4:2)!

2. Pray on the basis of God’s Word (1 Jn. 5:14, 15), in faith (Matt. 21:21-22; Jas. 1:5-6), persistently (Luke 18:1-8), with serious concentration (Dan. 9:3-4), respect and confidence in God (Dan. 9:8-9, 14), and sincere confession of sin and concern to get right with God (Dan. 9:4-5, 16, 20), with your understanding (1 Cor. 14:15, 20), not selfishly (Jas. 4:3), nor openly for show, or repetitiously, or in vain babblings (Matt. 6:5-13).

3. Delight in and wait upon the Lord when waiting for an answer to prayer and keep serving Him, regardless of the answer (Ps. 27:14; 37:4, 7).

4. Pray to the Father (Matt. 6:9; Jn. 16:23; Eph. 5:20), in Jesus’ name (Jn. 14:13; 15:16), with the leading of the Spirit (Eph. 6:18), and without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). Ask God to move mightily (Acts 4:24).

5. Do not harbor sin and unforgiveness in your heart or you will hinder answer to prayer (Ps. 66:8; 1 Pet. 3:7). Keep God’s commandments (1 Jn. 3:21-22).

6. Do NOT view God as a cosmic genie who must give you your every wish, just because you prayed and asked according to some sort of faith formula. That is idolatry and the wrong way to pray (those who pray like that should expect nothing from God).

Instead, be humble and grateful that the God of the universe is willing to listen to you, just as a loving father is when his children come to him and respectfully (not arrogantly or bossy), and without whining or manipulation (If you do such and such for me, I will do such and such for you, or coercion (I’m warning you God, if I don’t get so and so I’ll . . .), ask something of him. God does not owe us anything and He cannot be tricked, extorted, or guilted by anyone (everything He does for us is by His goodness and grace).

This honors and glorifies God as a divine Person (not an ATM machine or doting parent who jumps at our request) who reserves the right to say yes or no; thus, lets God be God and Lord over all. It also eliminates anxiety and stress when praying (which is why many Christians give up and don’t pray) and is far more effective.

One final thought, prayer is not based on our deserving anything, but on the believer’s position in Christ and the authority that is ours in Christ.

[Note: Sometimes God says yes, sometimes no, and other times wait. If you are a Christian, God, who is sovereign, has a plan for your life and knows what is best for you. So be patient and trust God to open the right doors in your life, at the right time, and close the wrong ones. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

But there are false teachers today, especially in the Word of Faith movement, who say there are spiritual laws or forces that govern the universe, even God, and as you speak or confess prosperity or health God must answer and give you whatever you ask for. This reduces God down to an errand boy who has no say in what is claimed in the name of Jesus. It is faith in faith, not God! It is a form of pagan metaphysical gnosticism (claiming to alter reality with words) and denies the sovereignty of God to give or withhold certain things from people.

For more information about the dangerous and heretical Word of Faith movement (heavily promoted by the Crouch family and various Pentecostal false teachers on TBN), read two of the author’s books: False Teachings and Divisive Movements and Evangelism and Christian Apologetics. Also read, A Different Gospel by D.R. McConnell, Hendrickson Publishers.]

A Word about Thankfulness

An attitude of gratitude is crucial if you are going to live the life God intends for you. Thankfulness is a choice, an act of the will, to live everyday appreciating what God has done, is doing, and is yet to do. It is making a conscious decision that God is worthy and should be praised and thanked no matter what the circumstances.

Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." When you live with that kind of attitude, critical attitudes toward others (and self-brooding and depression) will fade away and you will experience continual peace and joy (you will also sleep far better at night and feel healthier). You will also become a vibrant witness for Christ.

For Christians, unthankfulness is a sin! It steals our happiness and the happiness of those around us. It can lead to bitterness and anger which, if not repented of and put away, brings trouble and strife, and defiles many (see Heb. 12:15). How many marriages and lives have been ruined by it? How many mental breakdowns and violent crimes have been committed because of it?

So how can Christians overcome it? Paul said, FORGETTING those things that are BEHIND, and reaching forth unto things which are before, I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).

We get over it (life’s hurts and disappointments) by focusing on Jesus and our new life and goals He has planned for us (read the Word to find out what His plan is).

Finally brethren, "Rejoice in the Lord always[s]: and again I say, REJOICE. Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made