Is There a Difference Between a Convert and a Disciple?
- Thread starter DesertWanderer
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1 John
5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Looks like it is all there in the KJV to me. Don't see where it disregards anything.
5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Looks like it is all there in the KJV to me. Don't see where it disregards anything.
Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Rom. 16:5
He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 1 Tim. 3:6
Now, brothers and sisters, you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. 1 Cor. 16:15.
Although the word "convert" isn't used that often, the concept of a new believer is:
When the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. Act. 13:43
Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness. Isa. 1:27
The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life.
The rules set down by the Lord are reliable
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. Psa. 19:7
He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 1 Tim. 3:6
Now, brothers and sisters, you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. 1 Cor. 16:15.
Although the word "convert" isn't used that often, the concept of a new believer is:
When the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. Act. 13:43
Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness. Isa. 1:27
The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life.
The rules set down by the Lord are reliable
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. Psa. 19:7
I believe the difference between the words lies in the connotation. A "convert" implies he was something else; now he is a Christian. The word is applied much more strongly if the person was Jewish, or Wicca, or Mormon, for example. The term is weaker if he was saved as a little kid, or came from a background of just being non-religious; didn't want to mess with it, etc.. "Disciple" has more to do with day-to-day living, or a member of Disciples of Christ denomination.
Just as with many other words in many other languages, the words technically can be used interchangeably, but they carry a different inflection. And communication is not so much about being "right" or "wrong"--it's about getting your point across.
Just as with many other words in many other languages, the words technically can be used interchangeably, but they carry a different inflection. And communication is not so much about being "right" or "wrong"--it's about getting your point across.
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I would offer. It is one of those neutral words depending on context. . A convert would represent one born again .While the word disciple (student of the teacher) could represent either .
The faithless disciples who tasted of the good things to come and fell away are shown in John 6 . They would be those who expose Jesus to public shame in Hebrew 6 as if one demonstration of the Father and the Son was not enough .
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. John 6:65-66
I'm wondering who will take offence from your comment? 
You appear to be saying that those Members who Post in the Family Forum are LESS Studied in Scripture than those who Post here in the BDF. Let me assure you, that my experience would reveal you to be waaayyyyyyy off the mark! Spend more time here in the BDF reading the Posts and I think you will come to the same conclusion.
Now, regarding the Title of the OP. The simple answer should be NOTHING.
a Convert (new believer) becomes a believer in and follower OF Christ upon their conversion. The simple definition of disciple is one who believes in and follows...........
In practice, this may not reveal itself because, again in my experience, some new believers have a hard time moving forward as a follower OF Jesus. That is, they aren't too all fired up about getting out in the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Yes, it is true that one of the greatest witnesses a Christian can put forth to the World is HOW they lead their lives. Living a Christ like life serves as a wonderful example that can draw unbelievers to Christ, but God has PURPOSED all new believers for a purpose they are to fulfill in working for the Kingdom.
Learning what that purpose is and getting busy fulfilling that purpose is the duty of all disciples of Christ.
You appear to be saying that those Members who Post in the Family Forum are LESS Studied in Scripture than those who Post here in the BDF. Let me assure you, that my experience would reveal you to be waaayyyyyyy off the mark! Spend more time here in the BDF reading the Posts and I think you will come to the same conclusion.
Now, regarding the Title of the OP. The simple answer should be NOTHING.
a Convert (new believer) becomes a believer in and follower OF Christ upon their conversion. The simple definition of disciple is one who believes in and follows...........
In practice, this may not reveal itself because, again in my experience, some new believers have a hard time moving forward as a follower OF Jesus. That is, they aren't too all fired up about getting out in the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Yes, it is true that one of the greatest witnesses a Christian can put forth to the World is HOW they lead their lives. Living a Christ like life serves as a wonderful example that can draw unbelievers to Christ, but God has PURPOSED all new believers for a purpose they are to fulfill in working for the Kingdom.
Learning what that purpose is and getting busy fulfilling that purpose is the duty of all disciples of Christ.
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Definition of disciple
1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as
aChristianity : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts
b: a convinced adherent of a school or individuala disciple of Freud
Definition of convert
(Entry 1 of 2)
transitive verb
1a: to bring over from one belief, view, or party to anotherThey tried to convert us to their way of thinking.
b: to bring about a religious conversion inThe missionaries converted the native people to Christianity.
So, the conversion of a person is the first step of becoming a disciple...................right?
1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as
aChristianity : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts
b: a convinced adherent of a school or individuala disciple of Freud
Definition of convert
(Entry 1 of 2)
transitive verb
1a: to bring over from one belief, view, or party to anotherThey tried to convert us to their way of thinking.
b: to bring about a religious conversion inThe missionaries converted the native people to Christianity.
So, the conversion of a person is the first step of becoming a disciple...................right?
No, that's not what I was implying at all. I have to choose my words more carefully next time.
It was my intention to try and draw out the church leaders to openly discuss the subject. That's all.
Discipleship, unfortunately, appears to be an allusive topic, even with all of the sermons at our disposal through various forms of media available in 2020.
It was my intention to try and draw out the church leaders to openly discuss the subject. That's all.
Discipleship, unfortunately, appears to be an allusive topic, even with all of the sermons at our disposal through various forms of media available in 2020.
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