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More On Discipleship! By Pastor Bill Taylor A publication of My Father's House, inc. Volume 11/ Issue 1 Prophecy: You say you see but you remain blind. Because you’re blind and the lie is that you see, you prevent yourself from receiving the cure. The lie always prevents something good from happening. Those who love lies love death. Those who love lies use them to avoid repentance and correction, to keep themselves headed towards damnation. They love the place they’re in even though they’re headed towards damnation. They protect the place they’re in even though they’re headed for damnation. By loving lies they show they love the damnation they’re headed for. They also love the way of life that leads to their damnation because they protect it. Those who believe they’re saved when they’re not are like those who say they see when they don’t. The most dangerous lie in the “churches” today is people “believing” they’re saved when they’re not. And because they believe that lie they won’t be saved. Until they recognize they aren’t saved they can’t repent and be saved. So that lie is destroying millions even now. As every lie destroys the one who believes it. As satan is the father of lies and he destroys those who believe him. As those who believe “once saved always saved” lose their salvation because they don’t protect it. As those who believe diligence and zeal aren’t necessary for salvation become lukewarm and are spit out of My mouth because they won’t become zealous and repent. As those who believe salvation is found in just saying you believe Jesus is Lord instead of living as though He’s Lord will perish in their delusion. Lie after lie destroys the foolish peoples, but I’ve come that you might have life. I’ve come to open blinded eyes. I’ve come not to engage in the games that people play when they receive honor from one another, because such will flatter themselves for believing the very lies that are destroying their gullible souls. They call each other wise when they’re fools. They call each other good when they’re evil. But I’ve come not seeking the honor that comes from men; therefore I don’t give men the false honor they wish to receive. But instead I speak the Truth about them and that dishonors them. So they hate Me and desire to kill Me because I uncover their corruptions. And in My uncovering their lies they’re seen to be the dishonorable and wicked sinners that they are. Now who’ll stand with Me in this battle against satan’s lies? I warn you, the way they hate Me they’ll hate you because what you do will uncover their lies. Because you’ll not play their games. Because you’ll not seek their honor. Because you’ll not flatter their foolishness. Because when you tell the Truth you testify of the world that its deeds are evil, so they deeply resent what you’re doing. They resent the dishonor you bring upon them and they’ll try to stop you. But I’m with you always, and they couldn’t stop Me even by killing Me, saith the Lord. So they won’t stop you who are with Me. For I’ve come to give life and to give life I must destroy the things that bring death. Thus I have the power to destroy every murderous lie and that power even now is shining from this place. Even now My living Word is shining forth from you My true disciples, and it’s bringing life, opening blinded eyes and turning men from darkness unto light, from the power of satan unto God. A mighty work of salvation is taking place right now because of My Truth that’s flowing forth from My true disciples in this place, saith the Lord. (Prophecy delivered at “My Father’s House”) The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Act11:26) The word disciple occurs only once in the Old Testament. (Is8:16) It’s almost completely associated with New Testament Christianity. Today’s “christian” usually thinks salvation is found in being a “believer.” Most don’t consider discipleship to be necessary to salvation, yet the Scriptures prove as far as Jesus and the apostles are concerned, the only kind of “believer” who can be saved is a disciple. Not “believers” but disciples were first called “Christians” in Antioch! Currently we’re fighting a battle against false “christians” who profess to be “believers” but don’t behave like the bible shows true believers must behave. Obviously there are different understandings of what people think it means to be a “believer,” some of which very much disagree with the biblical interpretation of that word. What’s remarkable about discipleship is concerning the arguments over whether or not someone’s a believer, once you recognize from the Scriptures you must be a disciple to be saved, there’s no way of misdefining discipleship in such a way that a disciple wouldn’t be the kind of believer who’s saved. “Believers” who aren’t saved aren’t disciples! Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God. (Jn12:42-43) What kind of “believer” can love the praises of men more than the praises of God and still be saved? Jesus said, “If you’ll confess Me before men, I’ll confess you before My Father in heaven (Mt10:32) but if you’re ashamed of Me and My words, I’ll be ashamed of you.” (Mk8:38) These people “believe” Jesus is the Son of God but they don’t want to be disciples because to become disciples they must go public, which means they’ll be excommunicated and lose their positions in Jewish society. So the kind of “believer” who won’t become a disciple knows Jesus is the Son of God but won’t follow Him! John says, “He who has the Son has eternal life.” (1Jn5:11,12) Can someone who won’t follow Jesus “have the Son?” Of course not! Therefore such non-disciple believers don’t have “eternal life!” They’re not “saved!” They’re certainly not the kind of believer Jesus is talking about when He says, “He who believes in Me has eternal life.” (Jn6:47) So one terribly deadly heresy that fills many “churches” today is to interpret, “He who believes on Me has eternal life,” as applying to people who don’t believe in such a way as to become disciples and followers of Christ. Those who misinterpret “faith” are falsely attributing salvation to “sinners” who neither keep the commandments of Christ nor have the Spirit of Christ inside them. Everything pertaining to discipleship also relates to the true believer’s being conformed to the image of Christ. (Rom8:29) It’s enough for a disciple to be like his Teacher. (Mt10:25) To be ashamed of Christ even though you know Jesus is the Son of God can only make your damnation worse. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. (2Pt2:21) The so-called “believer” who won’t follow Jesus can’t be conformed to Christ, or in any way perfected in Christ. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Mt19:21) If you don’t become a disciple and follow Jesus you won’t be presented blameless (perfect) in the day of Christ’s appearing. (1Th5:23) So it’s a very great fallacy to say, “I’m a believer and have eternal life just because I “believe” (agree) that Jesus is the Son of God,” when I’m not pursuing perfection in Christ (Col 1:28) or the righteousness of God that comes by faith (Phil 3:9) or being conformed to the image of Christ. (Rom8:29) Such things aren’t going on in a mere “believer” but they must be in a disciple for these pursuits are the essence of discipleship, since it’s the purpose of a disciple to be made like his Master. (Lk6:40) Again, since disciples are drawing near to Jesus to be taught of God (Jn6:45) they’ll have access to many things non-disciples won’t. They’ll have fellowship with God in ways other people can’t imagine. They’ll know many things non-disciples can’t know. Discipleship opens up the privilege of having the Master teach you personally. (Jn14:26;15:15) The privilege of having intimate fellowship with the Master. (Jn14:23) The privilege of having entrance into places others aren’t allowed. Discipleship opens up great opportunities and the disciples are treated differently by God than non-disciples because they’re not like the non-disciple people. The disciples have made a choice. They’ve chosen to abandon the world to follow Christ. In following Christ their goal is to become like their Master. That’s why they’re saved. Jesus didn’t say, “Go into all the world and make believers.” He said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.” and “Teach them to observe all the things I’ve commanded you.” (Mt28:19,20) Jesus said that to His disciples. So His command means only disciples will produce disciples. Every tree brings forth after its kind. (Gen1:11,12) It’s the function of a disciple to bring forth after his kind which means he brings forth disciples, not mere “believers.” A presumption in the false churches is to think if they can just get someone to pray “the sinner’s prayer” that person is “saved!” But it’s a lie! No one can be saved unless they continue in a true faith to the end. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. (Heb3:14) To continue in “faith” after praying the “sinner’s prayer” you must get baptized. “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.” (Mk16:16) (See our Glory of His Grace book “Baptism and Salvation”) Baptism is the “believer’s” entrance into the body of Christ, (the true church) and discipleship. So “those who believe and are baptized” are those who believe and become disciples! Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. (Jn4:1b) Thus only disciples will be saved. Those who don’t believe and won’t be baptized are damned. (Mk16:16b) Just saying the sinner’s prayer won’t save you unless you also receive a true baptism and become a disciple. And even in discipleship we must continue on to perfection, (Heb6:1) observing all the things Jesus has commanded us. (Mt28:20a) When God called me to start “My Father’s House,” I’d become disillusioned with the other “churches” I knew of. None were willing to go on to perfection! Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col 1:28) They all stopped short somewhere and had no interest in moving on. When a disciple who wants to go on to perfection attends one of these “churches” they’ll try to talk him out of his holy passion with their wicked excuses. Often they’ll accuse him of being “holier than thou” or proud, or anything to make him feel like there’s something wrong with him because he’s dissatisfied with the unChristlikeness or the worldliness of the existing “churches.” They’ll usually say he’s judging or unloving, anything to ruin him and prevent him from really becoming like Jesus. (Rom13:14) At that time my prayer was, “God, please show me a church where I can go all the way with Jesus and finish my tower!” For which of you, intending to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- lest, after he’s laid the foundation, and isn’t able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” (Lk14:28-30) I pleaded with God to show me a church where I could do that. But Jesus answered me saying that the people in today’s churches wouldn’t listen to Him and they weren’t obeying Him. They weren’t His people because Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:24) Instead of showing me a true church where I could go on to perfection, He asked me to build Him one and He told me to name it “My Father’s House.” So if you’re a member of “My Father’s House” you must be here because you want to go on to perfection. If you just want to have “church” in the superficial ways most everyone else is having church these days then you don’t need to come here. Go to any of the thousands of silly “churches” who’ve stopped building their towers and live in their ruins with them and their evil excuses. God didn’t need another church like those that already existed when He asked me to start “My Father’s House.” Dave Kitchen’s testimony is that when he prayed, “God, show me a church where I can go on to perfection,” God led him to “My Father’s House.” He was in New England and God sent him all the way to Florida. With me, when I prayed God had no church He could send me to, but when Dave prayed, now God had a church to answer Dave’s prayer and He could send him to it. Jesus started “My Father’s House” so those disciples who truly want to go on to perfection, to finish their towers, could have a church fit for them to go to. And that’s the only reason anyone should come to “My Father’s House.” We’re a church for true disciples who want to finish their race with joy. “My Father’s House” is God’s work and those who come here better not get in His way. Jesus warns you to count the cost and finish your tower! There’s no sense starting if you don’t finish. God’s Word says, these churches who won’t go on to perfection, the “christians” who stop short, will be mocked for their failure! (Lk14:27-30) You’re not going to heaven if you’re being mocked for failing God! If you don’t finish your tower you’re a failure, like the wicked unprofitable servant! (Mt25:26-30) There’s no glory to God in that and no reward for you. To be a glory to God you must attain to the hope of your calling and be conformed to Christ. (Eph4:13) To become complete in Him is your tower! (Col 1:28) That must be your purpose and that’s what you’re in “My Father’s House” for, to learn how to have the faith of Christ, (Gal 2:20) the righteousness of Christ, (1Cor1:30) the love of Christ, (Eph3:17-19) the wisdom of Christ, (1Cor1:30) the mind of Christ. (1Cor2:16) Everything true Christianity is concerned with has to do with bringing you to the fullness of the stature of Christ; making you just like Jesus. (Eph4:13) That goal must be foremost in your mind and in your heart. Every time you come to church it should be because you’re pursuing Christ-likeness. Also at home you must continually be pursuing Christ because it’s the full time occupation of a disciple to become like his Master. Teach me about Jesus so I can know Him and be like Him. When you understand this you’ll see why only disciples can be saved. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You’ve sent. (Jn17:3) To be a believer and not be a disciple is like “the demons (who) believe and tremble.” (Jms2:19) A true believer would have to become a disciple. Again, discipleship carries with it responsibilities, including total submission to the Master, but it also carries with it great privileges. Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. (Mt13:16) Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. (Mt14:19) The disciples were not only witness to an awesome miracle but they were actual participants in it. Though the multitudes eat of the miracle, they may be unaware a miracle is taking place. But the disciples take part in the actual doing of the miracle. Later after Jesus sends the multitudes away, (vs22b) the disciples are commanded to go before Him. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side. (vs22) In “going before Him” they see another miracle where Jesus walks on water. Peter even gets to participate in that miracle by walking on the sea himself. (vs25-31) The disciples are entering into the supernatural things of God in ways no one else can. The multitudes have no idea this happened. You may think, “Boy, if the Pharisees saw Jesus walking on water that would shut their mouths!” No it wouldn’t. They’d just say the devil’s doing it. Some have already seen Christ’s miracles and attributed them to the devil. (Mt12:24) They don’t want to believe so even miracles can’t convince them. But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Mt12:39) Even the non-disciple believers didn’t see Jesus walk on water! Real disciples have testimonies and experiences the so-called “believers” don’t have. And it ought to be your testimony that you’ve experienced such things if you’re a true disciple. Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself. (Mt15:32) When Jesus has something to do who does He call? What did God do with Cornelius? He’s a righteous man. His alms and prayers have come up before God. God likes Cornelius. But when God sends His angel, the angel tells Cornelius to contact Peter. So God doesn’t call Cornelius apart from calling him to a disciple. He says, “You call for Peter and Peter will tell you what to do.” (Act10:1-6) The disciples are the body of Christ. The disciples are the true church. If God wants to bring someone into His Kingdom He brings them to His disciples. No doubt once Cornelius had received the Holy Spirit he became a disciple too. But to become a disciple he had to meet a disciple, not just an angel. (Act10:44-48) Even concerning the conversion of Saul, after Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, Jesus sent His disciple Ananias to restore Paul’s sight and baptize him! (Act9:10-18) Jesus commanded His disciples that they should tell no one. (Mt16:20) You can only effectively command people who submit to your authority. The disciples are those who are submitted to Christ so they can receive His commands. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples. (vs21) Mere believers aren’t close enough for Christ to be able to show them much! It’s the disciples who are always near Him and who can see His special revelations etc. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (vs24) Jesus’ instructions are reserved mainly for His disciples. So is His wisdom. And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it’s been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt13:10,11) Because they truly want to know and please God, the disciples have laid down their lives to draw near to Jesus and be taught of Him. The multitudes may occasionally come to see Jesus when they need a healing or want to satisfy their carnal curiosity about the “prophet” but they don’t love Him in such a way as to want to live with Him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing they don’t hear, nor do they understand. …lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. (Mt13:13,15-16) Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mt7:13,14) The easy way is always the way the multitudes go. Today we have a multitudinous “christianity” that’s going the way of the world and not the way of salvation. The lives of most so-called “believers” are just like the lives of unbelievers. They’re consumed with selfish and worldly interests. Cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and lusts of other things make such “believers” unfruitful. (Mt13:22) The fact that they say they “believe” can’t make enough of a difference to save such “believers” because they’re actually still on the same road as the unbelievers. The road to life is discipleship in Christ; learning to be like Christ. Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Mt26:1,2) Discipleship is synonymous with friendship to Christ. To be a disciple is to be His friend and if you’re His friend He’ll keep you in the “know” about what’s going on. (Jn15:15) Many times in our services when the Spirit changes course or begins a new subject some of you are caught off guard. It’s because you’re not Jesus’ friends. Jesus isn’t showing you what He’s doing and you’re taken by surprise because you’re not a true disciple. If you’re his friends He’ll be showing you what He’s doing; you’d be hearing the Spirit and you’d be in the know! The testimony Dave gave that when he was out of church due to a necessity, he was still receiving the same instructions from the Spirit as we were is an example of Spiritual Christianity. These kinds of things occur continually where there’s a real Christianity because as true disciples we’re all unified by one Spirit. And if the Spirit is teaching the church a particular subject He’ll also teach the same things to the disciples who are legitimately somewhere else. As I teach everywhere in every church. (1Cor4:17b) The Spirit teaches the same things because He’s not creating division between His people but unity! Unity comes from having the same mind. (Phil 4:2) True disciples have the same mind because we’re learning the same things from the same Spirit. Where that unity isn’t manifesting there’s a lack of the Spirit. If you’re not participating in and connected to what the Spirit’s doing then you’re not in Christ. If you’re in the Spirit the things you share with the brethren will be useful and applicable. True believers often share things in the services we don’t see the full importance of ourselves but because they’re from the Spirit they’ll relate to what God’s already doing in the church, and will bring forth something truly edifying and useful. Often in a good service, the things the brethren are sharing have a divine interconnection; there’s a common theme running through them because they all come from the same source: God. The Spirit isn’t stupid and He’s not confused! He’ll use different parts of the body supernaturally to create a whole work that’s complete and interconnected. In a real church things happen that way. Recently in a service, I rebuked Crystal concerning her relationship with her employer in that she was being selfish in her attitude and never seemed to consider how to help her boss and co-workers. (Eph6:5-7) I could see she was doing this from her own testimonies concerning her work experiences and she wasn’t behaving as a true Christian ought. After my admonishment, Gina shared with the church how that very day the Lord had led her to do a particularly kind favor for her employer, even though it was a serious inconvenience for Gina to do it. But Gina testified how she was moved by compassion to be a help to her boss in a special time of need. Now Gina’s testimony was a complete surprise to me. I had no knowledge of it before she shared it! But in sharing her experience Gina’s example gave a strong confirmation and support to everything the Lord had just moved me to admonish in Crystal. See how the Spirit uses every member of the body to accomplish His work! Such supernatural things are happening all the time in a real church. True disciples will see such awesome Spiritual things taking place daily in the church, particularly in the way God interconnects the Spiritual believers in what they’re doing to bring forth a marvelous work. But outsiders can’t see it. They don’t know it’s happening. They never see any evidence of these things because they’re not here to see them so they don’t even realize anything’s happened. They assume we’re just having normal gatherings like they’d have in a business meeting or something. In their meetings nothing supernatural ever takes place. They’re just people doing what people do. But in the true church things are always manifesting that are unexplainable by natural means. The presence of God is the only explanation! But usually only the disciples get to see these things. Outsiders, unbelievers and non-disciple “believers” rarely or never see them because they’re not in a church where God is actually working. But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he’s convinced by all, he’s convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he’ll worship God and report that God is truly among you. (1Cor14:24,25) Such things can only happen when true disciples are being led by the Spirit in a true church. In this case they’re being led to prophesy. Unbelievers who never go to church will never see such things. Even non-disciple “believers” rarely see them because they usually aren’t in a church where God is actually working. But to true disciples such supernatural workings of the Spirit are common. Concerning the wicked God doesn’t “force” people to believe by demonstrating Himself supernaturally when they don’t have a desire to know or please Him. If they don’t have a heart for Him He doesn’t want them to be “saved” only to selfishly avoid punishment. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: “Hearing you’ll hear and shall not understand, and seeing you’ll see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they’ve closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” (Mt13:14,15) God won’t let heaven become a refuge for people who “just barely got in” because they were smart enough to avoid hell but who don’t really love the Lord. His Kingdom is for those who love the LORD their God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind. (Mt22:37) That means disciples who really love the Lord. Why would you want to become conformed to the image of someone you don’t love or admire? Discipling is common in Oriental countries. Most of the martial arts are taught by discipleship! Oriental religions require true followers to become disciples. It’s characteristic in all of these that disciples treat their master as a father and they behave as his children. Also the disciples become brethren and they function as a family. So discipleship can be used to teach many things but always what’s taught becomes a way of life, and the relationship between the disciples and their master is as children to their father. It’s the same with Jesus. You become God’s children, God becomes your Father and the disciples become brethren, members of God’s family. John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn1:35,36) Although John the Baptist had disciples he was leading them to Jesus. The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (vs37) He must increase, but I must decrease. (Jn3:30) For when one says, “I’m of Paul,” and another, “I’m of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1Cor3:4-6) Once we come to Jesus we’re not to be disciples of men any more in the sense of being a disciple of Paul or Apollos. Paul may be a God-given teacher to you, but he’s teaching you to know Jesus. Similarly Apollos is teaching his students to know Jesus. Bill Taylor is a present day apostle/disciple and you may be studying things God is teaching you through me, but I’m not teaching you to be a disciple of Bill Taylor. I’m teaching you how to be a disciple of Jesus! In contrast to this, Dietrich Bonhoffer the Lutheran prelate who was imprisoned and killed by the Nazi’s for his resistance to Hitler during W.W.II, when examining the failures of Lutheranism to stand against the evils of this present age, Bonhoffer resorted continually to the writings of Luther as an antidote to the impotent Lutheran “christianity” that failed Germany during Hitler’s reign. Bonhoffer was decidedly a disciple of Luther. And his writings during his imprisonment indicated he thought all Lutherans to be disciples of Luther. He rarely if ever resorts to Scriptural or Biblical arguments to support his ideas concerning the failure of Lutheranism but he always refers to the words of Luther. It’s as though he doesn’t expect Lutherans to be impressed or convinced by the words of Christ, or the Word of God, but only by the words of Luther. What Dietrich Bonhoffer fails to realize as the greatest sin of Lutheranism – is that the Lutheran hierarchy, Dietrich included, has elevated Luther above Christ, the bible and the Holy Spirit as their chief teacher, in disobedience to: But you, don’t be called ‘Rabbi’; for one is your Teacher, the Christ, and you’re all brethren. Don’t call anyone on earth your father; for one is your Father, He who’s in heaven. And don’t be called teachers; for one is your Teacher, the Christ. (Mt23:8-10) The Lutherans had become disciples of Luther instead of disciples of Jesus. I’m not a disciple of Luther but of Jesus. If you’re a disciple of “Luther” you’ve fallen from grace. Luther may not even make it to heaven and where does that leave you? Luther held to some terrible heresies. He supported infant baptism against the righteous Anabaptists who knew the bible shows that water baptism has to be done in a true personal faith which excludes infants who are too young to have “faith.” (See our Glory of His Grace book “Baptism and Salvation”) Because of his heretical beliefs Luther and his followers even became persecutors of the righteous Anabaptists which means he couldn’t be of Christ. Jesus wouldn’t persecute Himself. Luther wasn’t a good disciple of Jesus because according to Christ you can’t even be born again without a real baptism. (Jn3:5-7;Mk16:16) Luther never accepted the real baptism for his followers, so in spite of all his pontificating and theology at best he’s in the category of a Saul versus David. Saul’s obedience wasn’t complete. (1Sam15:18-23) He even became an enemy to the beloved David, as Luther became an enemy to the righteous Anabaptists. Saul fought the Philistines, the enemy of God’s people as Luther fought the wicked Roman Catholics. But Saul also tried to kill God’s chosen and anointed one “David” as Luther persecuted the true Christians in his day who were really baptized in faith, and born again. How could anyone who’s truly of Christ be so deceived? True Christians have an anointing from the Holy one, and know all things. I haven’t written to you because you don’t know the Truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the Truth. But the anointing which you’ve received from Him abides in you, and you don’t need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and isn’t a lie, and just as it has taught you, you’ll abide in Him. (1Jn2:20,21,27) The disciples of Jesus are anointed to recognize Truth. Obviously Luther and his disciples aren’t! Very few “christians” have read “Martyrs’ Mirror” an Anabaptist history of the persecutions of true Christians. This book well documents the wicked things that Luther and some of the other “reformers” did. It’s far superior to “Fox’s Book of Martyrs” also in that it not only reports on the martyrdom of true saints but examines the doctrines they lived and died for. Anyone who dies in defense of a heresy isn’t a martyr for Christ! Until Jesus came John the baptist was the best man of God you could choose to disciple under. Of men born of women, Jesus said there was none better. (Lk7:28) Andrew, John the apostle, and Peter had been John the baptist’s disciples but they turned to Jesus when He became known to them. (Jn1:35-37) It isn’t wrong to submit to a teacher under Jesus but as Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one.” (1Cor3:6-8b) Paul and Apollos aren’t two different schools of Christianity. They’re working together for Jesus and teaching the same things. So you can’t be a disciple of Paul in such a way as to reject Apollos. You must receive every real man of God if you’re a true disciple of Jesus. It’s like Old Covenant discipleship to say, “I’m a disciple of Luther.” There are too many things you need to learn that Luther didn’t know. You won’t get to heaven just by following Luther. “I’m a disciple of Finney.” Finney was a man of God and helped a lot of people meet Jesus, but there’s more for you to learn than just what Finney knew. You’re a fool if you think, “I’ll become a disciple of Finney because everything I need to learn I can learn from Finney.” He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His (Jesus’) disciples?” Then they reviled him and said, “You’re His disciple, but we’re Moses’ disciples.” (Jn9:27-28) The Pharisees are claiming to be Moses’ disciples. Moses is their Luther/Finney, in a wrong way! Moses was a great man of God but Moses knew someone even greater was coming, and he said, “When He comes you better listen to Him.” For Moses truly said to the fathers, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who won’t hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.” (Act3:22,23) These very Pharisees who claim to be Moses’ disciples are missing the One Moses told them they better receive and obey (hear.) So they’ll be destroyed from among the people. Now what kind of disciples does that make them? As disciples of Moses they’re utter failures, completely missing the most important thing Moses was teaching. Holding on to a traditional religion can make you a disciple of something obsolete while you completely miss what God is doing today. (Heb8:13) To be “saved” you must hear what God is saying today. You need to understand God’s present Truths if you wish to overcome satan’s present lies. (See our Glory of His Grace book “Present Truth”) If the Lord delays, a hundred years from now the true believers won’t be wrestling with the same lies we’re overcoming today. Today’s lies will have been defeated and satan will have to come up with new lies to try to deceive the next generation of God’s people. So in that day if you’re just concentrating on what was preached in this time you’ll be taken captive by the new lies. The way to overcome satan’s present lies is by being sensitive to the Spirit and listening to what the Spirit is saying now because the Spirit of Truth will always speak the thing that will protect you from satan’s present lies. But the anointing which you’ve received from Him abides in you, and you don’t need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and isn’t a lie, and just as it has taught you, you’ll abide in Him. (1Jn2:27) The things that went before are still Truths but are they the Truths you need to stay free today? The Truths you need are the Truths that will defeat the enemy today in your life. I’m working to do that now in the churches of today but if the Lord tarries a hundred years from now God will raise up someone new to defeat the “new” lies of that time and some of those lies may even arise out of misinterpretations of what we’re teaching today. It’s common for carnal “believers” when they recognize someone as a real man of God, to twist his words because they don’t understand him Spiritually. And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation -- as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2Pt3:15-16) You’d think the untaught and unstable would mind their own business, but it’s characteristic of carnal people to be filled with prideful opinions on everything they encounter. So they ruin everything, even God’s Truths by trying to understand them according to their fleshly minds. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. (Jn2:2) Here the disciples will witness Jesus’ first miracle. This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (vs11) Recently I received a letter from a young believer who testified how God did many supernatural things early in his conversion. Among other things, when he first came to Jesus, he was sovereignly baptized in the Holy Spirit and received the gift of tongues! But lately he was lamenting he hadn’t seen much of the supernatural. I explained to him that whenever God introduces Himself to someone, He proves Himself. At the very beginning you’ll see some awesome things. That your faith shouldn’t be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1Cor2:5) But now that you believe in Him and you’ve seen His power He doesn’t have to keep proving Himself to you anymore. Now that you have a real faith, live by it. When you first meet God and you aren’t exactly sure what to believe for, God may help you by supernatural signs to believe in His power. But now that you’re becoming established in the faith God may do signs for other newcomers but He shouldn’t have to keep doing them for you. When you’re witnessing to a new believer whose faith could be helped if he saw a sign, then expect God to work supernaturally on that new one’s behalf, but don’t keep asking for signs for yourself lest you become like the Pharisees who were continually asking Christ to work another sign for them. But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’’ (Mt12:39) Jesus had already done plenty of signs yet the Pharisees refused to believe. A new sign wouldn’t convince them! Once you know the Truth about God, your faith should be established and a real faith isn’t dependant upon seeing miracles. Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. (Jn3:25) There’ll always be disputes between God’s disciples and the world’s, which in this case are the Jews. The Jews represent the Pharisees who are the so-called religious order of that day. Now if the established religious order is alright with God why do you need to become a disciple of John? Why not just follow the Pharisees? If the Pharisaical religious order is acceptable to God why does John or even Jesus need to have disciples? If the existing religious orders are serving God well and teaching their followers to know God then what purpose is there in someone new coming along to teach a different way? If everything was already satisfactory what’s the purpose of Jesus even coming? God didn’t start “My Father’s House” to be a carbon copy of the thousands of superficial and false churches that already exist. There are more than enough of those kinds of churches already. And neither we nor God need any more of them. What’s strange is that even though there are already too many such churches, they still want us to become like them. They think every church should be modeled after them. It’s stupid! God started “My Father’s House” because he wanted this church to be different from them! They aren’t doing the job His church should be doing. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. (Heb8:7) And if the existing churches were pleasing Him, God wouldn’t have started “My Father’s House.” That we’re different is what the false churches resent. If we’re right then our differences expose them as being wrong. The Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Lk3:2) God intended John the baptist and his disciples to be very different from the established religious order because the existing order wasn’t serving God. Jesus and His disciples also had to be different from the commonly accepted religion of their day because if the popular religion was obedient to God there’d be no need for Jesus to teach His disciples anything different from what everyone already knew. Similarly the very existence of “My Father’s House” is an affront to the religious community around us because if God had been pleased with them He wouldn’t have needed to raise up a church like ours to be so different from them. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “when I’ll make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” (Heb8:7,8) So finding fault with the existing “churches” God called me to start a church that would do things His way. This is like “Saul” versus “David.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” (1Sam13:13,14) God doesn’t want more of what the existing churches have; He wants something they don’t have: obedience to His Spirit. To please God we must preserve that obedience, we must be different. We mustn’t be drawn into “man pleasing” as in trying to become like the established “churches” in an effort to be accepted by them. We aren’t here to be accepted by them. We’re here to do something they’re not doing! We’re here to obey God! John’s disciples were different from the Pharisees. Of course the Pharisees would be critical of them and even more so of Jesus and His disciples. Because we’re different from the common “christainity” today it’s certain the pseudo-religious people around us will be critical of us. In whatever way we’re different from them we’re rejecting their way for a better way and this is an affront to them! Then His disciples remembered (when Jesus cleansed the temple with a whip) that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” (Jn2:17) Our zeal to have church God’s way exposes the hypocrisy in the man pleasing false churches around us and strikes them like Jesus’ whip! Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I’ll raise it up.” (Jn2:19) Although the disciples heard Him say this, they didn’t understand it until after He was raised. (vs22) Their lack of understanding seems difficult to comprehend since Jesus often explained these things to them. Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we’re going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He’ll be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They’ll scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He’ll rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t know the things which were spoken. (Lk18:31-34) The disciples still didn’t believe even when Mary Magdalene and the other witnesses reported they’d seen the resurrected Christ. (Lk24:10,11) One reason they didn’t believe, even though Jesus often warned them, is how could they believe Jesus would be raised if they refused to believe He’d be crucified. Peter was rebuked for that. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You’re an offense to Me, for you’re not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mt16:21-23) If the crucifixion took them “by surprise” so must the resurrection! Watchman, watchman what of the night? The morning comes but also the night. (Is21:11,12) To believe in the resurrection morning, you had to believe in the “crucifixion” night. The disciples didn’t want to hear about the night. Similarly today carnal “christians” often reject what they consider unpleasant bible Truths. The disciples didn’t want to believe in the crucifixion. So by rejecting the first truth, they were unprepared when it happened and of course they wouldn’t be expecting the resurrection either. Yet even so, Jesus brought them to an understanding. Because they were His disciples He made sure they’d know the Truth! Jesus answered and said to him, “What I’m doing you don’t understand now, but you’ll know after this.” (Jn13:7) There were so many things the disciples were “taught” but which they didn’t understand until later. But Jesus had faith His disciples would continue with Him. That His Father would keep them until the Holy Spirit could come and open up their understanding. Of course, the coming of the Holy Spirit was the major factor in bringing them into “all truth.” But concerning spiritual mysteries, Jesus couldn’t say “You’ll know after” to a mere “believer.” It’s only because His disciples have an intimate and continuing relationship with Christ that He’s confident they’ll be able to see things more clearly later! Therefore, when the Lord knew the Pharisees had heard Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself didn’t baptize, but His disciples). (Jn4:1-2) Jesus delegates work to His disciples. He did this in the feeding of the five thousand, the four thousand, and here concerning baptism. Disciples aren’t pew sitters. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. (Mt15:36) “Believers” who do nothing but listen to men preaching aren’t disciples; that’s more characteristic of the multitudes. The multitude comes, listens, then leaves. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables. And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it’s been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it hasn’t been given. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing they don’t hear, nor do they understand.” (Mt13:2,3a,10,11,13) For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he’s like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (Jms1:23,24) Disciples participate. They take part in the work of God. They’re doers, not forgetful hearers! They participate in miracles. (Lk10:17) They participate in the good works Jesus is doing. (Tit3:8) Most so-called “churches” today aren’t filled with disciples but pew sitters. Such should be called churches of the multitudes; the church of the deaf and blind; the church of the forgetful hearers. It’s an important New Testament Truth that to be saved you must be a disciple and you must be the kind of disciple who’s really being conformed to Christ. And to be conformed to Christ you must be where Jesus and His disciples are, in His true church, where you can be taught by Christ-appointed teachers (Eph4:11) and truly learn of Christ by the Spirit. You must also be a participant in Christ’s works, not just a hearer but a doer! Disciples must participate in Christ’s works because they’re in a very real sense “apprentices.” To become like Jesus they must acquire hands on experience working in the things Jesus does. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so nothing is lost.” (Jn6:12) I always gather up the leftovers in my house. I’ve taught my family to use leftovers well. Some people argue “This is just food. It’s unimportant! What’s it matter if we throw it away? The Kingdom of heaven isn’t food and drink!” Then why does it matter to Jesus? “Shouldn’t we be focusing on more important matters than leftovers?” Jesus is focusing on leftovers here! He just did an awesome miracle but Jesus won’t waste anything God gives Him. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Mt23:23) Jesus says we’re to do the big things without leaving the little things undone! I can trust God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19) because God can trust that I won’t waste what He gives me. If you use God’s blessings wisely you can expect God to keep supplying. (Mt25:29) If you abuse His provision as in wasting good leftovers you look more like the devil than Jesus. He who’s slothful in his work is a brother to him who’s a great destroyer. (Pr18:9) The lazy man doesn’t roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession. (Pr12:27) God may cut off your abundance to teach you how to take better care of what you have. Of course, there are times when we must make a choice between saving time or saving money, and we need the Spirit’s guidance in such things. Sometimes we can’t save everything but we’re never to be an intentional waster. When Jesus says, “Gather up the fragments,” He’s showing us the character of God. You and I may be the “fragments” Christ was “gathering up.” Jesus expects His disciples to be diligent in this! God wastes nothing! And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom8:28) All things work together for good because God uses all things to work for good. Everything is used to the uttermost. If Jesus is truly abiding in you, you’ll be making use of everything He gives you to the very best you can by the Spirit. Sometimes to use up leftovers I’ll throw a mulligan stew together where everything goes in the pot. We’re doing that today. After church we’ll have a gumbo; all our leftovers were mixed in and they’ll all be used. Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (Jn6:60-61,66) Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. It’s written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who’s heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (Jn6:44-45) Those who changed their minds about being disciples when Jesus’ words got too hard couldn’t have been drawn by the Father. They must have come for personal reasons! Whenever you see a real disciple there’ll be an increasingly visible conformation to Christ. Paul’s life followed Christ’s pattern even to the point of setting his face like flint to go to Jerusalem. (Is50:7;Act21:13) Many of the experiences in Paul’s Christian life were very similar to things Jesus went through and Paul handled them in similar ways to Christ: His persecutions and trials by the Jews are one example. Paul responded to every hardship in the way Jesus would which demonstrated the Christ in him! It’s no different today. If I have Jesus in me you’ll see me go through things like Jesus went through and what Paul went through and I’ll handle things the way they did which will demonstrate the reality of Christ in me! Christ-like behavior comes out automatically if Jesus is truly in you. I didn’t have to study the Scriptures to learn to gather up the fragments; it was instinctive in me to do that. There’s an anointing to do it. God isn’t wasteful. Jesus isn’t wasteful. He’s in me, so I’m not wasteful! It’s in me to be like that because I’m born again of God. You can also see here that Jesus won’t scratch itching ears in order to keep people. (2Tim4:3,4) He won’t flatter! He always speaks the Truth whether people like it or not. Jesus preached what some called a hard saying and many of His disciples left. Likewise in “My Father’s House” every apostate who’s left us left because of a hard saying. It’s also certain that if they’d been drawn here by God they’d still be here. Obviously they came for some selfish reason in which they were disappointed. Those of you who remain in “My Father’s House,” are you here because God drew you? If you have a difficult time with hard sayings you’re showing you’re more like the ones who left than the ones who stayed. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” (Jn6:67) and Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.” (vs68) What Jesus said may have been a hard saying for the twelve too, but Jesus’ true disciples recognized something those who departed didn’t. “You have the Words of life.” The true disciples in “My Father’s House” have stayed for the same reason. We too can say, “We have the Words of life.” That’s what keeps us together; knowing God’s Truth is here. By this all will know you’re My disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn13:35) That you love one another; as I’ve loved you. (vs34) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1Jn3:16) We know we’ve passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. (vs14) My little children, let’s not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in Truth. (vs18) False churches and false christians think they have eternal life because they make some kind of lip-service profession to love the brethren but this isn’t the kind of love demonstrated in John 13 or described in 1st John 3. The love that proves you’ve passed from death to life isn’t just an emotional feeling; some hidden thing you only know inside. Christian love must be demonstrated in good works; such good works as laying down your life or giving up things like your own personal pleasures so you can be helpful to the brethren. (1Jn3:16-18) If that isn’t what you’re doing you’ve no right to consider yourself a disciple. (Jn13:35) According to Christ no one else will consider you one either, because discipleship is defined in the outward actions your love brings forth towards the brethren; where your labors of love are visible and truly useful! (Jn13:34,35) If your “good work” isn’t really helpful no one will thank God for it! Godly good works bring glory to God because they cause the people who receive them to praise God for the Christ in you who’s done these good things to them. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men. (2Cor9:12,13) The worldly excuse that “It’s the thought that counts not the gift” is a lie. If the gift isn’t any good the thought wasn’t. If your thought doesn’t bring forth a gift that’s truly useful then you aren’t thinking right. It isn’t the thought that counts. It’s the gift that counts. In fact, it counts so much that if the gift doesn’t get to those who need it, it will be as though it never happened and there’ll be no fruit to your account. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I’ll go by way of you to Spain. (Rom15:26-28) A good intention accomplishes nothing unless you complete the doing of it. But now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. (2Cor8:11) So discipleship is evidenced by a love that labors and lays down personal interests for the benefit of the brethren, the church, and the Kingdom of God. That’s the love that shows people you’re Jesus’ disciples. By this My Father’s glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you’ll be My disciples. (Jn15:8) You can’t be a disciple if you’re not bearing fruit. Discipleship is defined in fruitfulness. But bearing much fruit isn’t separate from; By this all will know you’re My disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn13:35) It’s the love for one another that brings forth the fruit. (Gal 5:6) Discipleship is evidenced in fruitful love! After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples. (Jn21:1) He showed Himself only to the disciples and not to anyone else. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. (vs14) Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, (those witnesses were the disciples) even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. (Act10:40-41) In our Glory of His Grace books “True Faith” 1&2 we explain how God chose men of integrity, holy men to be His witnesses so they’d be believed. The disciples are holy men! Their testimony is trustworthy! Christ didn’t show Himself to the unholy because He doesn’t need unrighteous “witnesses.” Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It’s not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore brethren, seek out from among you (here they give the charge to appoint the deacons) but we’ll give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” (Act6:2-4) The apostles aren’t involved in evangelism at this time! Rather they’re keeping very close to God so they can properly lead the church. The evangelism is now taking place amongst the disciples. After Philip evangelizes Samaria some of the apostles go there to baptize the new disciples in the Holy Spirit. (Act8:14,15) Then the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. (Act6:7) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the (“believers?” Is that what it says? No it doesn’t say believers! It says) disciples of the Lord. (Act9:1) If you’re not a disciple nobody can tell you’re a believer! Concerning the so-called believers spoken of in, Nevertheless even among the rulers many “believed” in Him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess Him lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God. (Jn12:42,43) Saul wouldn’t even know such people were “believers” so they couldn’t be in danger of his persecutions. Unless you confess Jesus before men, you’re not a “saved” believer. (Mt10:32,33) Today’s “churches” need to repent of this heresy in which they presume just because you have some hidden “belief” in Christ you’re going to heaven. You’re not going to heaven unless you’re a disciple. If you’re a disciple your behavior must become such as everybody knows you’re a believer. A disciple’s “believing” is public. “They’ll know you’re My disciples because of what you’re doing.”(Jn13:35) After Paul’s conversion he spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. (Act9:19) And when the Jews tried to kill him the disciples took him by night, and helped him escape. (vs25) And when he tried to join the (believers? in Jerusalem. No,) disciples! But they were all afraid of him. (vs26) And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard Peter was there, they sent (vs38) to bring him to raise Dorcas… And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Act11:26) Mere “believers” have no right to be called “Christians.” Only disciples are worthy of being called “Christians!” But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, when the Jews raise up a persecution and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Act13:51,52)… After Paul’s stoning, The disciples gathered around him and he rose up. (Act14:20) Paul is raised in a gathering of the disciples… And when they’d preached the gospel in Derbe and made many (believers?) disciples! (vs21) The scriptures rarely use the word “believer.” Jesus said, “Make disciples!” Go into all the world and make disciples teaching them to observe all the things that I’ve commanded you! (Mt28:19,20) A disciple is taught to obey his Master… And when they’d preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.” (Act14:21-22) So if you’re true disciples don’t let tribulations upset you. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Jms1:2-4) It’s through patience in trials the disciples will become perfect in Christ – which is the goal of discipleship. So it strengthens the disciples to hear this Truth. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they’d been commended to the grace of God for the work which they’d completed. So they stayed there a long time with the (believers? No, with the) disciples! (Act14:26,28) After he’d spent some time there (Antioch,) he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the (believers? No,) disciples! (Act18:23)… And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Act19:1-2) These were disciples of John who hadn’t yet been baptized into Christ. John had been preparing his disciples for Christ and it’s evident he did a good job because as soon as these disciples heard of the better thing, they received! When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Act19:5) After the uproar had ceased, (the Diana riot at Ephesus) Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. (Act20:1) Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (In contrast to the Seventh day Adventist’s “Sabbath” heresy, the true disciples chose the Lord’s day, His resurrection day as their primary day of worship. See also 1Cor16:2) Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. (Act20:7-9) When the bible mentions there were many lamps in that room, it indicates Eutychus was overcome by breathing the fumes from the lamps. It wasn’t because he was lazy or not paying attention that he fell asleep! For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (Act20:29,30) Satan and his followers are after the disciples! It’s of no significance that they draw mere “believers” away because non-disciple believers aren’t “saved” anyway. If satan wants to hinder those who are being saved, it’s the disciples he must go after. That’s why Paul’s warning is to the disciples. If you’re a disciple you’ll be attacked for the very reason that you are a disciple. Being a true disciple is what makes you an enemy to the world; and our being Jesus’ disciples is what makes the world hate us the way it hated Him. (Jn15:19) After considering all these scriptures it’s plain to see you can’t really be a believer unless you’re a disciple. Nor can you be saved unless you’re a disciple! And a true disciple is characterized by some very distinctive behavior: You can’t be Jesus’ disciple unless you forsake all. (Lk14:33) You aren’t a true disciple unless you love Jesus more than your mother, father, or brother. (Mt10:37) You’re not a disciple of Christ unless you’re bearing much fruit. (Jn15:8) You can’t be Jesus’ disciples unless you’re laying down your lives for one another in works or labors of love. (Jn13:34,35) You’re not a true disciple unless you’re obeying Jesus’ commandments, (Jn14:15) unless you’re being conformed to the image of Christ, (Rom8:29) unless you’re an active member of a real church, participating and doing your part to help the others grow up into perfection. (Eph4:11-16) These are all characteristics of Jesus’ disciples and you must have them or you won’t hear “Well done good and faithful servant” in the judgment. Prophecy: I haven’t changed the way to salvation. It’s always been through discipleship. It’s the false teachers who’ve changed the meanings of the things I’ve put in My Word and twisted My Word to make the people lukewarm and fruitless! I’ve never changed and My Word never changes but the wicked have turned My glory into shame! Now I say, to be saved you must become My disciple, and you must come unto My true disciples to be discipled; those who know My ways, those who are pleasing to Me. Woe to those who think they can believe on their own and be saved. But here at “My Father’s House” I have an Apostle Bill Taylor, whom I’m pleased with; who disciples the children I’ve brought to this place. Because in this place I have true disciples, I’ll cause them to be fruitful in making new disciples. And I’m well pleased with My church here because she’s a true school of My Spirit and she’s truly leading My disciples to perfection, thus saith the Lord. Prophecy: Achan was a “believer.” Ananias and Sapphira were “believers.” But in both cases I killed believers. It isn’t enough to just be a “believer.” Achan believed in Me but he didn’t obey My Word. Ananias and Sapphira believed in Me but they lied to My Spirit. It’s no wonder only disciples will be permitted to enter My Kingdom. For a disciple wouldn’t lie to Me. A disciple will obey My voice in everything I tell him to do. All of My grace, all of My riches, everything you need has been made available to those of you who truly are My disciples. And all around you will see that you’re My disciples because of your obedience, your love and My Spirit working in you to will and to do of My good pleasure. For as you saw in the Word it was My disciples who could be called upon to work miracles and demonstrate My power. It was My disciples who were the dependable ones and that’s what I’m making you. So all around you will see this and they’ll call to you saying, “Send us disciples.” They’ll hear of you and say, “Send us disciples that we may hear the Word of God,” because disciples are the only ones who truly know Me and who can truly teach others to know Me, thus saith the Lord. (Prophecies delivered at “My Father’s House”) Epilogue: Salvation is absolutely contingent upon the believer truly having Christ in him. I’ve been crucified with Christ; it’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20) Apart from Me you can do nothing! (Jn15:5) Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God. (Rom8:14) Christ in you is your hope of Glory. (Col 1:27) If Christ is truly in you then He’ll be leading you by His Spirit, and He’ll by no means lead you to a false or heretical church or any church which wouldn’t help you go on to perfection. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col 1:28) For God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1Jn1:5) And No lie is of the Truth. (1Jn2:21) The true church is the pillar and ground of the Truth. (1Tim3:15) Any church that isn’t the pillar and ground of the Truth isn’t Christ’s. Any church teaching anything that’s a lie isn’t of the Truth. The only work Jesus does in such churches is to help get His people out of them and into the Truth. Jesus is the Truth! (Jn14:6) He can’t be Head of a church that isn’t following Him-Truth, but rather is following lies! It’s nice to think that names don’t matter and all you have to do is believe and do good to be acceptable to God, but without Jesus’ leading you can’t bring forth good fruit. (Jn15:4) So it’s fallacious to think you can do good in a bad church, or that Jesus would be leading you to such a place. Also, John says if you even greet a false preacher, you partake in his evil deeds. (2Jn10,11) How much more if you participate in an erroneous denomination do you give credence to their lies and show you value the praises of men more than God. (Jn12:43) There’s so much corrupt “christianity” that almost anyone who’s been exposed to anything called “christian” these days has been indoctrinated with numerous religious lies, presumptions, and doctrines of demons (1Tim4:1) from which they must be delivered before they can “abide in Truth.” But if you truly have a heart to know God, and you continue in His Word His Truth will set you free. Only then are you disciples indeed and in Truth. (Jn8:31,32) Prophecy: When I met with the disciples on the road to Emmaus I didn’t reveal Myself to them immediately but after I did reveal Myself their words were, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us? Didn’t He open the Scriptures to us?” I ask you, doesn’t your heart burn with passion when My preacher here teaches you? Doesn’t He open the Scriptures to you? Then who’s speaking to you? Is it a man or is it Christ? And I ask you when you meet these people who claim to be christians but aren’t, do you ever bring it up to them, “In our church when our preacher preaches our hearts burn within us, what happens in yours? What happens when your preacher preaches?” Because I tell you right there is the difference between who’s of man and who’s of God. For My Word is a fire in the mouths of My true preachers, and My Word starts a fire in the hearts of My true disciples, saith the Lord. Prophecy: Behold I’m coming quickly to give every man according to his work. I’ve much work for you to do for I’ve said the fields are white unto harvest but the laborers are few. I’m teaching you to be good disciples who are led by Me, who hear Me, and obey Me. And I’ll give you much help by grace to bring in a harvest that glorifies the Father that you may be found worthy of My Kingdom. But you must choose to work. You must choose to follow Me. You must choose to obey Me. I’ve given you free will and I won’t take that away from you. Those who make the right choices to follow Me, to go where I send, and abide in My Word will bear much fruit. But those who choose to please their flesh and not sow to My Spirit, who’ll yield to temptation and follow their own desires and listen to the stranger’s voice will receive judgment. My Word is true. My Word won’t bend, and it won’t break. You’ll receive what My Word says according to the choices you make. Behold, I’m coming quickly to give to each man according to his work, thus saith the Lord. Prophecy: As concerning this wicked adamic generation, when one of this generation finds the Lord and comes to the Lord in a true faith he dies just as real a death as if he were dead and buried. He’s now separated from that adamic generation. He has nothing to do with them. They’ve lost him and he’s left them just as if he’d gone into the grave. Only he hasn’t gone into the grave, he’s died and gone to heaven, and he’s seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, where he’s dead to them but alive to God. And although he’s seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, still his body is on the earth. Unlike the one who dies in the adamic generation and is buried and is of no use to anyone, this one is now of great use to Me and becomes My disciple, a living member of My body upon this earth; not of the world but able to affect many things within the world; and able to cause others to see what they need to do to attain to life. And though he’s dead yet he lives. He lives to Me and he demonstrates My life in this world and he becomes a very fruitful vessel unto Me and worthy to spend eternity with Me. The death of a true disciple is real, it’s just as real as if he were put in the grave. But the life of a true disciple is real, and it’s just as real as the resurrection of Christ, saith the Lord. Prophecy: The things I ask you to do may seem very difficult. But consider, if I were asking you to do the ordinary things that everybody already does, there’d be no purpose in instructing you to do them since everyone is already doing them. So it’s written, “What good is it if you greet your friends? Don’t even the unbelievers do that? What good is it if you love your family? Don’t even the unbelievers do that?” Am I to teach you what you already know? No! I’ve come to teach you what you don’t know. And I’ve come to tell you to do things that are very hard for your flesh to do because they’re contrary to the ways of flesh. So I’m showing you a better way that those who don’t know Me won’t do and don’t want to do as it comes against their fallen nature because their nature is like the nature of their father the devil. But I’m calling you to be My disciples and sons of God. I’m asking you to demonstrate a nature that’s very different from that of this world and the people in this world. I’m asking you to demonstrate My nature. And though it may seem difficult, that it’s the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, when you arise and take true steps of obedience you break the chains that have bound you to the lower nature and you burst forth into the higher nature by faith and you attain to this by the power of My Spirit. So though it seems difficult you achieve a deliverance by doing the things others won’t do and you enter into the freedom of the Spirit and the glorious liberty of the sons of God when you obey the things that I ask of you that are so contrary to your flesh that you wouldn’t think of doing them if I hadn’t commanded it. But because you love Me and you keep My commands, you walk in My Spirit and you are My disciples indeed, saith the Lord. Prophecy: When you discern My purpose, are you able to make it your purpose? Are you able to take it into your heart and purpose it in your heart to accomplish My will? Are you able to purpose it in your heart to accomplish all the things that pertain to the good pleasure of My will when I show you what My will is? Because I’ve often shown you what My will is and I’ve often seen you begin with fervency and then I’ve often seen you grow slow and sluggish and forget the purpose in what you’re doing, which purpose falls and your blessing falls because you haven’t kept hold of the purpose in your heart. I tell you this, knowing My purpose is life to you. Holding on to My purpose is strength to you. And holding on to My purpose even when it looks like its not happening, is the trial of your faith. When it looks like the purpose that I’ve purposed for you and you have purposed to do for Me isn’t going to happen that’s when the disciples who are real disciples buckle down. That’s when they cry out; that’s when they travail; that’s when they fast; that’s when they won’t allow My purpose to be defeated, even as it says in Isaiah, “I beheld the travail of His soul,” Jesus wouldn’t let Himself fail to accomplish My purpose. And when I see you travail in your soul to hold on to the purpose at all cost, I tell you I’ll hold on with you and you’ll overcome and My purpose will be accomplished when you desire it with all your heart, saith the Lord. Prophecy: I’m pouring out My Spirit here in an awesome way. Multitudes around you will never experience what you’re experiencing in this place and through the fruit of the Glory of His Grace. My Spirit comes by way of the door who’s Jesus. When one comes through Christ My Spirit works in a mighty way to humble him and break his heart and he loathes himself and he despises what he used to be. And he’ll stay in that place of humility and he’ll stay in that place of brokenness. There’s the true place of discipleship where I can truly form My Son in the one who comes through the door as you are seeing in your own lives. When I do this there’s also a resurrection in a real disciple. The false churches have it backwards. They party before the death and they don’t have a death. My true disciples have a death and then there’s a resurrection and then there’s a real rejoicing because Christ is truly being formed in My true disciples. That’s the work that’s going on through the Glory of His Grace because that’s the fruit I’m looking for; a believer who comes to Me in faith, broken hearted and loathes himself and allows Me to cleanse him, wash him, and form Christ in him. That’s the work you’re seeing done here! But there’s much more to come. I’m pouring out My Spirit awesomely and the Glory of His Grace will bring forth exceedingly more fruit and by My Truth it will awesomely shame those who say they know Me but don’t know Me, thus saith the Lord. (Prophecies delivered at “My Father’s House”)
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