In this issue:
i)    The definition of discipleship - N.T. Anderson
ii)   The Book of Review (Deuteronomy - Ch 12) - Part 1 - C.E. Wigg
The definition of discipleship
Neil T.Anderson
 
1 Thessalonians 5:11: Encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
 
Jesus' primary call to His disciples is seen in His words "Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28) and "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19). Mark records: "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons" (Mark 3:14, 15). Notice that Jesus' relationship with His disciples preceded His assignment to them. Discipleship is the intensely personal activity of two or more persons helping each other experience a growing relationship with God. Discipleship is being before doing, maturity before ministry, character before career.
 
Every Christian, including you, is both a disciple and a discipler in the context of his Christian relationships. You have the awesome privilege and responsibility both to be a teacher and a learner of what it means to be in Christ, walk in the spirit and live by faith. You may have a role in your family, church or Christian community which gives you specific responsibility for discipling others, such as husband/father, pastor, Sunday school teacher, discipleship group leader, etc. But even as an appointed discipler, you are never not a disciple who is learning and growing in Christ through your relationships. Conversely, you may not have an "official" responsibility to disciple anyone, but you are never not a discipler. You have the opportunity to help your children, your friend, and other believers grow in Christ through your caring and committed relationship with them.
 
Similarly, every Christian is both a counselor and counselee in the context of his Christian relationships. A good counselor should be a good discipler, and a good discipler should be a good counselor. Biblically, they are the same role. Your level of maturity may dictate that you do a lot of Christian counseling. But there will still be times when you need to seek or receive the counsel of other Christians. There will never be a day when we don't need each other.
 
Prayer: Father, help me remember that I will never be so mature that I need not receive godly counsel from my brothers and sisters in Christ.
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The Book of Review (Deuteronomy - Chapter 12) - Part 1
Moses' famous last words and unique funeral
Charles E. Wigg
 
The following chapters are of great benefit to us, who live in the end of the dispensation of the Grace of God. I will copy here the comments of Bro. John Gill.
 
Deuteronomy Chapter 12:  In this chapter orders are given to destroy all altars, pillars, groves, and images, made for the worship of idols in the land of Canaan, Deu_12:1 and to bring all sacrifices and holy things unto the place which the Lord should choose for his habitation, and not do as they then did, not being come to their rest, Deu_12:4, flesh for their common food might be killed and eaten in their own houses, provided they did not eat the blood, but poured it out upon the earth, Deu_12:15, tithes, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be eaten in the holy place, Deu_12:17 and burnt offerings to be offered on the altar of the Lord and the blood of them to be poured out upon the altar, Deu_12:26, all which they were carefully to observe, Deu_12:29, and they are cautioned against idolatry, and inquiring after the manner of it, as practiced by the old inhabitants of the land, and introducing their customs into the service of God, Deu_12:30.
 
This beautiful chapter continues to stress the matter of obedience to Jehovah’s commands, and enjoins a very serious approach to the matter of worship, and of religion in general. It proves to us that all thought of entertainment is absolutely foreign to God’s thoughts and desires. True worship is for His pleasure alone, and must be offered in the way that suits Him, as He has taught in His word.
 
I have noticed when visiting lands where idolatry is practiced, how casual is the approach of the people to what they call Poojah, (or worship). I recall being on an island near Cochin, (in Kerala, India), at the time of a festival. There were great masses of people going and coming, but they were continually moving. Once they reached the Temple grounds, they would go to the poojari, and cleanse their hands by passing them through the sacred flame, then bow to the idol of their choice, buy some sweets, and balloons for the children of the family, and then depart for their homes again. The children of Israel were to completely destroy, and to remove anything that would remind them of casualness, or convenience. The worship of God was to be to them a very serious matter. It was to be distinguished from their ordinary meals, and they were permitted to kill animals for this purpose, but all the blood of each animal was to be poured out like water on the ground.. They were to learn that the blood was always to be for God. It was to remind Him of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, which was the only righteous basis on which God could be with His people.
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[Reproduced by permission of the author] 
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