Bücher veröffentlicht von Riaan Engelbrecht

The word disciple in Greek is transliterated mathetes (literally, the learning one) and is derived from the verb manthano which means "to learn". It means "one who learns instruction from another¿, or a disciple is likened to an apprentice who learns from his master tradesman. Thus, a disciple is a person who not only gains knowledge from the teacher but also acts upon it. A disciple therefore follows and a disciple learns from the Teacher. The disciple never replaces the one true Teacher or takes the role of the teacher. Jesus remains our Teacher and our Lord. This study series into discipleship explores what it means to be a disciple, within the context of the Great Commission of Matthew 28. Jesus provided us with the blueprint on how to be a disciple and how to make disciples. It has always been God's intention for us all (as followers of Christ) to be disciples, to do the work of a disciple (in the Spirit of God) and to make disciples. Through discipleship - God's Way - the eternal Kingdom is effectively and purposefully established and multiplied on earth.

Can the church of today truly be united in doctrine? This is a burning question it seems of late, and one of pressing urgency. For most, the answer will be a resounding 'no'. We are after all divided on so many things regarding doctrine, just consider the debate around the Trinity, predestination, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Law and grace. Granted, we will be divided on some things, which are fine, but such things as we will mostly find are religious. This is Churchianity stuff - like what clothes to wear, the kind of music to play, the décor, use of titles and clergy structures. Thus man-made traditions. Why quarrel over things that have no bearing on the Kingdom? Jesus was not proclaiming the good news of a denomination or a church but the everlasting and eternal Kingdom. One fears, however, that we have settled for division regarding doctrine, thus the truths of the Kingdom. And we use the adage that we should settle on agreeing on disagreeing. And yes, as children of God we can still work together because of doctrinal differences, but maybe, just maybe, the church is falling into a rather strange trap of delusion and deception, and this trap is accepting division as being the norm and the status quo. Has the church not been lulled into a false sense of peace, thus no longer pursuing doctrinal unity but instead pursuing agendas to prosper personal beliefs?