The Great Commission According To Jesus
We are very excited to announce that we have sent to publishing the new book
The Great Commission According to Jesus.
This book uses the 5 accounts of the Great commission as a magnifying glass to look deeper into the true meaning and understanding of the Great Commission.
JESUS USED FOUR MEN TO GIVE THE COMMISSION TO HIS CHURCH
In the Great Commission, According to Jesus we see the full impact of the Great Commission.
Matthew stresses it’s authority, order and scope.
Mark stresses the personal need to fulfill it
Luke’s stresses the true message which will bring, “Repentance and Remission of Sins”
John stresses the fearful responsibility of each believer and the consequences of not going.
Acts, Dr. Luke, stresses the Divine Power which will make their going successful.
Dr. Wilkins has served over 60 years as missionary, mssion teacher or church builder – This is his 4th book of Faith Promise and features the “Study-to-Learn-and-Do” Method.
$9.00
One reaching one is NOT the answer!
ONE REACHING ONE IS NOT THE ANSWER
The theory of one Christian reaching one sinner; then the two of them reaching two others until every Christian was reaching another will work only theoretically.(+) It is easy to illustrate and demonstrate, but when you factor in the weakness of the flesh, the allurement of the world, and the warring of the Devil, the theory just becomes wishful thinking.
GOD’S SYSTEM WILL REACH MULTIPLICATION
God’s system of reaching the biblical plan of multiplication is an unbreakable chain of four links.(+) It was implemented by Jesus in his choice of twelve apostles and illustrated by the apostle Paul.
ILLUSTRATED BY APOSTLE PAUL
Everyone who has ever given any serious thought to discipleship will instantly turn to II Timothy 2:2.(+) “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
In this verse we have the four links in the chain of discipleship which will lead to the multiplication level.
FIRST, we have the leader as the first link. (+) That leader in this particular chain is the apostle Paul.
SECOND, we have a prominent disciple, Timothy, as the second link in the chain which leads to multiplying.(+) If the chain stopped at link two, we would have reached the level of addition. Two could become a series of disciples who could lead to large additions, but never to multiplication.
THIRD, we see the simplest form of multiplication, FAITHFUL MEN. Notice the qualification of men. It is faithful men. The term, faithful men denotes that the men in this third link have met the three qualifications Jesus set forth in Luke fourteen which people must meet to become one of his disciples. First, one must love Jesus more than anyone in this life, including himself (Luke 14:26). Second, the men have surrendered to becoming one of his disciples by taking up their cross (job of doing God’s will Luke 14:27.) Finally, they have counted the cost of being one of his disciple’s (Luke 14:33), and are following his divine plan, which will reach the level of rapid growth of dedicated Christians. But the three links in the discipleship chain will never have the potential of getting the gospel to “every creature in the world”.
FOURTH, we see the faithful men (plural) who Timothy disciples begin to generate the rapid growth of multiplication. Faithful men begin to disciple others. When this chain becomes strong, we have a chain that will not be broken.
Paul helps train Timothy so well that Timothy is developed to the level that he is able to teach “faithful men.”
Just as Paul supervised Timothy in training faithful men, Timothy is now responsible and capable to supervise faithful men to train others.
IMPLEMENTED BY JESUS IN HIS CHOICE OF TWELVE APOSTLES
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose twelve men, whom he named apostles?
Why didn’t he choose ten or twenty men instead of twelve?
Someone will suggest twelve is a biblical number, so he chose twelve. It is a biblical number, which stands for government as demonstrated by there being twelve apostles and twelve tribes of Israel. The author will acknowledge that twelve is a biblical number for government, but why twelve? Could there be another reason for choosing twelve apostles in addition to the number twelve representing government?
ONE CHURCH BUT TWELVE PASTOR-TRAINERS
Your author has for many years called people’s attention to the fact that Jesus started one church, but placed in that one church twelve pastor’s or trainers. This was to illustrate the method that the early church used in training their members in soul winning. The early church (local) first showed a member as well as taught him how to win souls by giving him on-the-job-training from house to house until the trainee had learned sufficiently how to win souls and had become another trainer. I reasoned that Jesus chose twelve men whom he developed to become trainers to expedite the training of their members. Twelve apostles training one or two trainees at the same time would partially explain the rapid growth of the Jerusalem church.(+) No doubt this is, at least, part of the reason that he chose twelve apostles. But a closer study reveals the real reason for choosing twelve was to establish an unbreakable chain in discipling, which would lead to multiplication and getting the gospel to every creature in their generation.
Two Things Have Remained The Same
The history of God’s work from Adam down through the Old Testament unto this very day reveals two principles which have always remained the same.
ONE – THE PLAN OF SALVATION. Salvation has always been by grace through faith in the shed blood of God’s Lamb and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. There is only one door to heaven, Jesus. In the Old Testament they looked forward to His coming sacrifice. (+) Since Jesus died on the cross, believers look back to his perfect sacrifice for salvation.
TWO – EVERY SUCCESSFUL WORK HAS BEEN THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT POWER OF GOD. (+) In the Old Testament a study reveals that the Holy Spirit Power of God worked through Prophets, Priests, Kings, Judges and other chosen workers.
Joel, one of God’s spirit filled prophets spoke of a change in the energizing work of the Holy Spirit which would take place in the last days. (Joel 2:28-32). The energizing work of the Holy Spirit would be broadened to include every believer who would ask for and meet the conditions for the Holy Spirit energizing. (+)
Rule of the First Mention
Again the author will refer to the rule of first mention as an important rule of bible interpretation.(+) The Holy Spirit is the author of the library of 66 books, we call the Holy Bible. He used about 40 human writers as his instruments in bringing Gods eternal word into its perfect existence. Each time the Holy Spirit would introduce a new term or practice He would carefully define that term or practice. Each time the Holy Spirit used that term or practice afterwards he would mean exactly what He first defined the word to mean.
THE FIRST NEW TESTAMENT PREACHER WHO WAS JOHN, THE BAPTIST
A strange thing was recorded about this first preacher in order to illustrate his source of success and power. This important truth is that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his Mother’s womb Luke 1:15 (+) His success is synonymous with the success of all great men of God; they all were filled (energized) by the Holy Spirit.
JESUS AS A MAN WAS A PERFECT ROLE MODEL (+)
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1:1 JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ETERNAL, PREEXISTENT SON OF GOD! He has always been God, He is God and He will never cease to be God, but when he came into the world as the Word it was to become flesh. John 1:14 He came into the world as a man in order to live as a perfect servant to his Father.
BEFORE THE ENERGIZING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
For thirty years Jesus was almost invisible. There were only short periods of his life revealed. Then suddenly he burst on the scene and for three and a half years everything focused on him.
What made the difference before his baptism and public ministry and after his baptism?
AS A MAN HE WAS ENERGIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (+)
Jesus didn’t come into the world to serve and please God as a divine person but he came into the world as a human being (yet without sin). As a man he humbled himself in order to function as a man would function.
Since man must depend on the energizing of the Holy Spirit for their power, Jesus chose to limit himself and do the same. He did this for at least two reasons.
First, he had to live a perfect, sinless life in order to become man’s Saviour.
Second, he limited himself in order to become a perfect role model which would teach and demonstrate how to become a proper and successful servant of God.
He demonstrated how to successfully resist and overcome temptation and the devil. It was through the Holy Spirit power and the use of the scriptures.
He resisted and overcame the devil and his temptation through the energizing (power) of the Holy Spirit. “and Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost (energized) returned from Jordan (where he was baptized) and was lead by the spirit (Holy Spirit) into the wilderness being 40 days tempted of the devil…” Luke 4:1-2 After 40 days of fasting the devil tempted Jesus who resisted him by using the scriptures Luke 4:1-13 After his victory over the devil verse fourteen states, “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit unto Galilee.”
Later in the same chapter Luke 4:16-22 he revealed the difference in his new life for God AS A PREACHER. After attending the same Synagogue all of his life he revealed the change in his life by reading Isaiah 61:1-2. It begins, “the Spirit of God is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach…..(+) Later, in a sermon that the Apostle Peter preached we have these words. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good.” He did this good which Peter was referring to AS A MAN, filled (energized) by the Holy Spirit. This tremendous change in Jesus as a sinless human being from the life he lived for 30 years and the life he lived for his final three and a half years can only be explained by the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.
The two prominent preachers John the Baptist and the early ministry of Jesus is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit energizing men in their ministries.
They were to serve as a role model and pattern to all other future preachers and servants of the Lord, In fact the Bible commands all believers, “Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” Ephesians 5:18
A VIVID EXAMPLE OF THAT NEED
After all the great teaching message’s on the Beatitudes, The Sermon on the Mount, The Parables, and the coming future kingdom; JESUS WOULDN’T LET THEM GO INTO ALL THE WORLD.
After all the pressurized moments of standing before hostile crowds and religious leaders and demonstrating to young apostles how to face hostilities with calmness and faith; HE WOULD NOT LET THEM GO. He said, “TARRY.”
The apostles had the Bible college training behind them. They were graduates BUT JESUS WOULDN’T LET THEM GO! (+)
Thousands were dying each day with many of them going to hell; BUT HE WOULDN’T LET THEM GO. (+)
WHY?
WHY WOULDN’T JESUS LET THE APOSTLES GO? THE ANSWER: THE DISCIPLES WERE NOT FULLY EQUIPPED YET.
Jesus knew that with all their Bible knowledge, with all their training in the mechanics and materials of disciple-making, and with the goal of preaching the gospel to every creature that they were not equipped to go yet – they needed two more principles to be embedded into their minds and souls before they were equipped to go. (+)
TARRY IN JERUSALEM UNTIL YOU ARE ENDUED WITH POWER
Luke first records this command for the disciples to tarry or wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit in Luke 24:49 and again in Acts 1:4. (+) Jesus knew it would take the divine power of God to make the divine plan of God successful. THE WAITING ALSO EMPHASIZES THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING WITHOUT THE ENERGIZING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BUT IN CHRIST THEY COULD DO ALL THINGS.
ANOTHER COMFORTER
In John 16:7, Jesus said it was necessary for him to go away (back to heaven) but if I depart I will send Him to you.” Jesus in the body of man could only be in one place at a time.(+) He needed to be with every disciple all of the time.
- Jesus promised never to forsake or leave a person.
- Jesus promised to give wisdom to any who ask.
- Jesus promised to give grace for every occasion.
- Jesus promised to illuminate the minds of believers.
- Jesus promised to give supernatural power for service and soul winning (to every believer at the very same time in multiple places).
As a man he couldn’t do it, but through the Holy Spirit He was able to minister and help any believer, in any place, in any way the believer needed help.
That is the reason that Jesus said He had to go away but He would not leave them comfortless (orphaned) but the comforter (Holy Spirit) would abide with them always. John 14:16-18. Again in John 14:26.
JESUS HAD TO TRANSFORM THE APOSTLES IN AT LEAST FOUR AREAS
FIRST, the apostles were fearful followers that must be transformed INTO FEARLESS LEADERS. (+) Often times these young preachers were afraid. They were scared to death as they fought hopelessly against the severe winds and high waves. Jesus combated their fears and calmed the sea by saying. “Peace be still.”
Toward the end of his ministry when word was sent that officials were planning to kill Jesus, as Jesus prepared to go to the graveside of Lazarus, the Apostles were scared but Thomas said, “Let us go and die with him.”
The apostles fled like timid men when the mob came to arrest Jesus and hovered like scared rabbits behind locked doors during his entombment. There were other occasions where it was obvious that the apostles were fearful followers. THEY MUST BE TRANSFORMED INTO FEARLESS LEADERS. Therefore, the command, “TARRY…UNTIL YOU ARE ENDUED WITH POWER.”
After fasting and praying for ten days and nights, the apostles emptied themselves of selfish ambitions and their self-centeredness and became empty vessels which the Holy Spirit could fill and control. (+) NOW THE FEARFUL FOLLOWERS BECAME FEARLESS LEADERS. They were threatened and whipped as they fearlessly risked their lives in preaching the Gospel and training their converts. They had been transformed so well that they could inject the same boldness and confidence into their followers.
SECOND, the apostles must be transformed from powerless followers into powerful men of strength and ability as leaders. Again the command, “Tarry, until you are endued with power.” These powerless preachers who could not cast a demon out of a young boy (Matthew 17:20) were now transformed into men of boldness (Acts 4:31) and of “great power gave the apostles witness.” (Acts 4:33). They were later referred to as men who had “turned the world upside down” as they lead the assault against the gates of hell to “set the captives free.” THEY BECAME FEARLESS LEADERS.
THIRD, they had to be transformed from men who were overwhelmed by the huge task (to every creature in all the world) to men who looked to the sky, expecting His coming. In the final service that Jesus conducted before His crucifixion, He comforted His disciples with words which they would rehearse over and over again. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14:1-3. No doubt the words, “I WILL COME AGAIN…that where I am, there ye may be also” rung in their ears for the rest of their lives.
The day came when Jesus was taken from them and He ascended back into heaven. They stood motionless and stared aimlessly up into heaven. Suddenly, two angels spoke words which would cause the apostles to always keep their eyes focused toward heaven. They said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
In Acts 1:3 the wording of “being seen of them forty days” seemed to indicate that Jesus would suddenly appear in their midst with a start and after a period of time disappear just as quickly. He seemed to appear and then disappear on several occasions during the 40 days. No doubt he helped them focus their eyes toward heaven by saying, I’m going away but one of these days just like the past 40 days you men will be working for me and suddenly – I will materialize in a physical body just as I have during the past few days. They were transformed from men whose focus was on the events of this world to men whose focus was upward to the skies – WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT SECOND COMING OF THEIR LORD.
FOURTH, They must be transformed from men who walked by sight to men who would walk by faith. They had heard all his great teachings and “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” but they still walked by sight. They were used to seeing Jesus with them.
They had seen all of his miracles and deeds and had great confidence in his power and ability, but now he was gone and they still had a tendency to walk by sight.
They had been taught that although Jesus wouldn’t be with them in bodily form any longer but he would be there in the invisible form of the Holy Spirit. His bodily absence made them feel shaky and uncertain in their walk for Christ.
THEN JESUS GAVE THEM ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING IN LEARNING TO TRUST HIM BY FAITH. (+) They were taught and convinced that the promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” was true.
How were they taught? How were they transformed from men who walked by sight (fear and trembling) into men of faith and power?
Again, the wording in Acts 1:3 “BEING SEEN OF HIM FORTY DAYS” indicates that Jesus would suddenly burst into the sight of the apostles and teach them things about the coming kingdom and then just as suddenly disappear. He would appear at various times, reinforce the principle about the millennial reign and then vanish. He was there bodily, then he wasn’t there bodily but he reassured them that he was with them all the time whether in the body or in the Spirit he was there – this happened until they comprehended – JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US, whether we are together or separated by miles of distance He is with us.(+) Just as we depended on Him to lead us for 3 ½ years we can depend upon Him now. The only difference, we could see him bodily then; but now we cannot see Him bodily but He is with us now just as much as He was with us then. (+)
A STORY THAT ILLUSTRATES THEIR FAITH
It is one thing to believe something theologically but it is quite another to believe it in trusting faith with one’s life hanging in the balance. (+)
A man would demonstrate his skill and balance by pushing a wheelbarrow several hundred feet across a dangerous gorge while the unpredictable winds were blowing. The man would often do tricks while he was pushing the wheelbarrow across the gorge.
Huge crowds would cheer as he did so. He would ask the crowds if they thought he could push the wheelbarrow across the wide chasm again?
The crowd would cheer and chant “yes, yesss!”
Then he would silence them by asking if anyone believed he could do it enough to become his passenger in the wheelbarrow(+). HE HAD NO TAKERS.
It was one thing to believe the man could push the wheelbarrow across but it was an entirely different matter to trust him with their lives.
WHAT WAS THE SECRET TO THE GREAT BOLDNESS AND POWER OF THE APOSTLES faith in the invisible Christ? Their faith grew to where they would get into the wheelbarrow and let Jesus push them across even though he was no longer visible to the human eye. (+)
They learned this great principle and were transformed from men who walked and lived by sight into fearless men. WHO CONQUERED BY FAITH. THEY WERE EMBOLDENED AND MOTIVATED BY THE ENERGIZING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (+)
These apostles learned this lesson so well that they taught and wrote in the Bible how that Jesus was still on the earth, NOT IN A LIMITED FORM OF A HUMAN BODY BUT IN THE UNLIMITED PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT. Now, to live within and to give grace and strength to every believer in all places of the earth AT THE SAME TIME.
What a difference the presence of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, makes! Dear friend, accept this important fact and live your life in the light that he is literally with you and will never leave or forsake you. He will empower you just as much as your faith will trust him to empower you.
Please memorize the last phase of the great commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus states; (a literal translation) “I will be with you perpetually, on every occasion until the very close and consummation of the age.” (+)
That is Jesus’ lingering promise to every believer!
BELIEVE IT!
ACT UPON IT AND LET HIM DO GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS THROUGH YOU!!
A Place Called Hell
Questions About Hell, What is It?
Questions About Hell
With so many misconception of biblical hell. We have written the book, Questions About Hell.
Today Hell are pictured as a cartoon place, a swear word or simply a place to go party with your friends when you die. Much in the same way Satan is pictures as this silly little character with his dragon tail and pitchfork.
But the Bible tells a very different story of the place called hell. A place of eternal torment. A place where all those who do not trust Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour will spend all eternity. The Bible pictures Satan as a very real, very active, very evil being, who seeks to destroy souls, while he has time. The Devil is powerful, but God is ALL POWERFUL.
Questions Answered in the Book
So what is the truth about hell?
Is it simply the grave like the Jehovah’s Witness teach? Is it a real place of fire, but when you are there you burn till you burn up and then thats it, like the Seventh Day Adventist teach? Is hell a place of six divisions like the Mormons teach? The Bible teaches it is a place of Eternal Torment. A place where all sinners must go.
What Sends Me To Hell?
What sends a person to hell? Is it Suicide? Is it not being a member of a church? Is it not receiving all 7 sacraments? Is it not being baptized? The bible is very clear that going to hell is a choice to reject Jesus Christ as Saviour. How do I reject or accept Jesus Christ?
Why Hell?
Is God some evil monster that wants to see people burn? Is he so mean and cruel that he set such a high standard, that no one can get out? Isn’t God a loving God? The Bible is very clear that hell was not created for man, but for the Devil and his fallen angels.
If I accept Jesus and I sin do I go to hell?
What if i have accepted Jesus, but I mess up? Is there such a thing as sinning to much? Do I have to get saved again? What does it mean to fall from grace? The Bible is very clear that once you are saved, Jesus keeps you saved. He calls it Eternal Life. The moment you are saved you enter Eternal Life.
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Right Division of the Bible
There were many things which were paramount in changing the author’s life; a travelling salesman selling family Bibles found a 16 year old lost kid with some money, and he sold me my first Bible,and later, God saving me when I cried out to Him in desperation. I rejoice every day,because He changed my life forever.However, the primary thing, which changed my life then, and has affected me most since then, was when I learned how to read and study the Bible.
What good is a Bible if the person doesn’t read it? For all intent and purposes to many people, the Bible is just
another book. However, if someone teaches a new convert how to rightly divide the word so he can understand it, right after he is saved,then the chances are good that he will enjoy reading the Bible and grow into maturity.
The perfect word of God has exerted the greatest influence on my life,and I am a living testimony of its transforming influence.
There are thousands of examples of alcoholics made sober, and wicked, depraved sinners converted to loving ministering saints. When a person considers this powerful effect the Bible has upon people who read and then follow its teaching,he must conclude it is because of THE SUPERNATURAL BOOK.
I. THE RIGHT DIVISION IS MADE BY STUDY
A. There IS a RIGHT way
1. This forceful command to study in orderto rightly divide the Bible, proves there isa right way to view every doctrine
inGod’s Word.
2. Seek the help of the Author. One of the many works of the Holy Spirit is to aid the believer in understanding the Bible. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, and one should pray earnestly for His guidance as he studies GodsWord.
3. One must realize that many times wicked men or even the Devil may be speaking, so one should prayerfully seek God’s leadership as he studies.
II. THE GRAND (large) DIVISION OF THE BIBLE
A. There are two natural divisions of theBible
1. The natural division in the Bible isobvious. There is the Old Testament andthe New Testament.
2. The Word “Testament” means covenantor agreement.
B. The Old Testament has three divisions.(Luke 24:44-45):
1. The Law of Moses. Most scholars agree that this division is made up of the first 17 books of the Bible: Genesis throughEsther.
2. The Prophets. This division includes all of the books from Isaiah through theremainder of the Old Testament:seventeen books in all.
3. Psalms. This third division includes 5books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs,Ecclesiastes, and The Song of Solomon.
C. The New Testament has three logicalparts.
1. Historical books The books which are primarily historical are: Matthew, Mark,Luke, John, and the Book of Acts.
2. Doctrinal books There are twenty-one epistles or letters, which make up this section, which are basically doctrinal. If you include the Book of Hebrews,fourteen of these letters were written by Paul.
3. A prophetic book The Book of Revelation is the book in the New Testament which is primarily prophetic.
Still Acting Like Visitors
They still act like visitors.
Welcome Card
There are so many in churches who,although they have been there for months, if not years, are still demanding to be served and ministered to. They conduct themselves as guests instead of members of the Household of Faith.
Are you one of those who is still acting like a visitor?
I’m just new to the Faith.
There are multitudes of people who have been saved for years who are still babes in Christ. The author was talking to a man who kept saying, “I’m just a young Christian.” We would talk a while longer, and he would say, I’m just a young Christian,” He evidently felt embarrassed, because of his lack of knowledge of God’s word, and he excused himself by telling me, “I’m new to the Faith. I’m just a young Christian.”
Finally, the author asked him, “How long have you been saved?” His shocking answer was “Eight years.”
I Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even as unto babes in Christ."
I Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even as unto babes in Christ."
The angels wept in heaven! The sun turned its head in shame! The birds stopped their singing! And if one could have heard it, there was a groan which escaped from the lips of Jesus, Eight years old and still a babe inChrist, still on the bottle, and still untrained.
The Book of Acts.
When one reads the Book of Acts, hefinds 3,000 saved and added to the 120(Acts 2:41). In a few days, one finds thesenew converts going from house to houseteaching. In the next few years, their number had swelled to well over 100,000 members.Many of them gave their lives as martyrs.They were strong in the Faith.In Acts 19, one finds twelve disciples.These twelve, along with all their converts,evangelized the whole province of Asia in thespace of two years. From lost sinners, tobabes in Christ, to flaming evangelists; ALLIN TWO SHORT YEARS. The Book of Ephesians, written to them later, proves thatthey were mature Christians.3. Pray tell, what is the difference? Todaythere are many who confess that they arestill babes in Christ after being saved foryears. In the New Testament days, thedisciples became flaming evangelists andevangelized their whole area in two shortyears (Acts 19:10),
Taken from the Book:
Milk of the Word
The New Convert Care Program
The Three Phases of the New Convert Care Program
Introduction: When Joshua and Caleb died, it did not take ISRAEL but a few years to become an apostate nation.
Joshua and Caleb
After the great revival spread throughout the world, which was led by the apostles in Jerusalem, it was only about 40 years before many false preachers and doctrines plagued their work. In fact, several of the New Testament books were written because of the first great apostasy, which followed this worldwide revival. Jude, II Timothy, Titus, I and II Peter were not prophesies which foretold future apostasies, but instructions to pastors who were dealing with crippling problems which plagued their churches.
The Bible, God’s perfect manual, has principles, which deal with and overcome a period of apostasy.
I. First phase of the New Convert Care Program: The Follow-up Phase
- a. The new convert needs following-up and care as soon as they are saved.
i. They are saved in a period, which is totally non-Christian, because of many years of humanism.
ii. The young converts (babes in Christ) know nothing about God. The primary way a baby learns is through observation and personal attention. Left to learn by themselves by observing they will become victims and fail.
iii. Just as natural babies need immediate and thorough attention from their birth through the early years of their lives, so do our spiritual babies (the new converts).
iv. The new convert needs following-up as soon as possible, because all a newborn spiritual baby has is an emotional experience to rely on.
- 1. Salvation brings emotions
- 2. Salvation is an experience
All the old devil has to do in order to stop or at least confuse the newborn spiritual baby is to get him to have another emotional experience. Get him to sin.
When the new convert sins, he becomes confused, and possibly, permanently wounded. We can prevent much of that through a good follow-up program.
We use the FROM SALVATION TO SERVICE Booklet. It has 7 principles the new convert needs as soon as he is saved.
From Salvation to Service
Do not give the booklet to the new convert without making an appointment with him. During this appointment, you will go over each principle with him. (You will need to train your members in this book so that they can become role models to new converts.) the disciple will present the booklet to the new convert (less than 5 minutes), and then give him time to read it. After a few days, make another appointment to meet with him and go over his booklet together. Mae sure he understands the principles and answer any questions that he might have. After you second meeting with the new convert, give the pastor a report on his progress.
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II. Second Phase of the New Convert Care Program: The Protections Phase.
- a. The new convert must be protected in at least three areas.
i. From the influence of nominal, back slidden or careless Christians.
ii. From the proselytizing spirit which dominates our society today.
iii. From the ghosts of the past, most of the people of today have had serious disappointments and disenchantments in this life. They are much more sensitive and easily offended.
THE SOLUTION: Appoint a role model over them as soon as they are saved to be an extension of the pastor.
III. The Third Phase of the New Convert Care Program, The Development Phase.
In the book of Acts, the early disciples were developed into mature, full grown soul-winning, and discipling members within a few weeks or months instead of a few years.
We must begin to go by the manual or the biblical pattern instead of judging ourselves by ourselves. The Bible is true. It will
The Holy Bible
still develop new converts into strong soul-winning mature working members if we learn to go by biblical principles instead of following the sloppy handling of our new converts which has produced our day of apostasy.
Just as our domestic children deteriorated and develop poor habits and get into trouble unless they are properly trained, so will (DO) our new spiritual babies.
Just as our domestic children learn bad habits from older brothers and sister, so will our spiritual babies unless they are protected and developed!!
In order to hold and develop our new converts, we must
- a. Appoint over them a spiritual role model as soon as they are saved.
- b. Stress the standards of the Bible and seek to get them to make the commitment at the end of each lesson.
- c. Grade them, so they will get their fulfillment from doing spiritual things instead or seeking satisfaction in the world.
- d. Major on the promises and memorize the problems.
Stop talking about negative things such as how hard our field is, the end times you can’t win a Catholic or Mormon, the summer slump, the good old days, ect. And do what the Bible says. When you continually lament on how hard it is, you sow defeat and unbelief into the lives of the people you are trying to develop.
Talk like the Bible teaches: hope, faith, can do, God is greater, the future is bright, you can win your loved one, and our church is going to grow.
Summary
We must place a shield of faith around our new converts as soon as they are saved through a direct, proper follow-up.
We must protect and shelter them while they make the transition from being religious (humanism) lost sinners to where they submit to the pastoral tutorship.
We must train them to observe, and do instead of just leaning the Word. The stress in the Bible is doing, not hearing only. God’s method works – We must learn to work God’s method.
The Materials In the New Convert Care Program:
The New Convert Care Program Book covers all the necessary materials needed to take a new convert from a Babe in Christ to a Mature Christian. It will deal with how to use the materials on this site, and how to properly take a New convert through a complete 30 week course.
Price is $1.00
This book will teach you how to use the Milk of the Word and all future New Convert Care books. It goes into the how’s and why’s of the New Convert Care Program. It contains the answers to the questions in the Milk of the Word. It is an essential book for anyone who is serious about taking the Milk of the Word and discipleing a New Convert! Price is $1.00
This is the book that started it all. It is a very precise study on how to use the idea of setting up a role model over a new convert. It goes into detail the needs of the New Convert, the way to disciple and how to help a new convert. This deals with issues like: The New Convert Learns By Observation; The New Convert Can Feed Himself Spiritually; The New Convert is a babe and needs constant care and attention.
An amateur carpenter cannot build a sound house;nor can a pastor build a good discipleship program, (one that is designed to hold and develop new converts) without biblical directions and tools. Our New Convert Care Program features Biblical Principles which have been tried and tested for over 60 years. Thousands of New Converts have grown into mature Christians by going through our materials. There are many who serve as Missionaries, Pastors, Deacons, Teachers, and Mature Church Members who first went through the New Convert Care Program as new converts.
$3.00
From Salvation to Service - Used Immediately After the Conversion
This book is vital to every new convert. It should be given to the new convert the moment after his salvation. It deals with specific issues relating to the new birth. Some of the topics are : Not Just Safe, But Saved; Saved for Certain; Saved But there are Adversaries; Saved to Submit.
With out this book in the hands of the new convert, it is very likely they will fall away. They will not understand why they still sin. They will not understand what God expects from them now that they are saved. They will not understand that “One church inst as good as the next”
$2.00
Book 1 - Milk of the Word
The Milk of the Word, is the first book used to disciple. The Milk of the Word is a self-help book which will quip the reader to be discipled and take what he has learned and disciple others. Milk of the Word teaches not only how to know God’s Word but also how to do God’s Word. Milk of the Word is part one of the New Convert Care program, which teaches how to follow up, protect, and develop new Christians.
9.00 – Spiral Bound Edition
Book 2 - Mission of the Church
This is book two in the New Convert Series, and teaches a true picture of what the great commission involves. It will produce a greater vision and purpose of the Christian’s life. He will be challenged by principles of biblical motivation and methodology to become part of transforming our world today.
9.00 – Spiral Bound Edition
This is book three in the New Convert Series. This book is designed to put into the heart of the Christian spiritual truths which will cause him to grow in faith. Some of the chapter titles are: God’s Course for His Children, God’s Comforter for His Children, God’s Crown’s for His Children, and God’s Coming for His Children.
9.00 – Spiral Bound Edition -
God’s Brilliant Plan to Reach Fallen Man
The Following is an excerpt for the book God’s Brilliant Plan to Reach Fallen Man by Dr. James Wilkins
A MOTIVATED DISCIPLE
JESUS HAD TO TRANSFORM THE APOSTLES IN AT LEAST FOUR AREAS.
- God’s Brilliant Plan to Reach Fallen Man
First, the fearful apostles were transformed into fearless leaders by being filled of the Holy Spirit.
Second, the same group of powerless followers were transformed into powerful preachers who preached with boldness by being filled with the Holy Spirit and by being inspired by the 40 days of saturated training given by Jesus after His resurrection.
Third, they were transformed from men who seemed to be overwhelmed by their giant world-wide task into men who expected Jesus to come back at any moment. They could work day by day with zeal and compassion regardless of their pain and suffering for two reasons:
- They expected Jesus to come at any moment.
- They knew that whatever suffering they were subjected to would give them a better position in the millennial kingdom for a 1000 years. They would eat and drink at Jesus table.
Please read again of the process of training Jesus gave the apostles for 40 days.
In Acts 1:3 the wording of “being seen of them forty days” seemed to indicate that Jesus would suddenly appear in their midst without warning; after a period of time disappear just as quickly. He seemed to appear and then disappear on several occasions during the 40 days. No doubt he helped them focus their eyes toward heaven by saying, I’m going away but one of these days just like the past 40 days you will be working for me and suddenly – I will materialize in a physical body just as I have during the past few days. They were transformed from men whose focus was on the events of this world to men whose focus was upward to the skies – WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT SECOND COMING OF THEIR LORD.
Fourth, They must be transformed from men who walked by sight to men who would walk by faith. They had heard all his great teachings and “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” but they still walked by sight. They were used to seeing Jesus with them.
Jesus gave them on-the-job-training in learning to trust Him by faith. They were taught and convinced that the promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” is true.
$7.00 –