i borrowed this book from Alvin last saturday cos our group is now embarking on a really fascinating learning journey together. each of us have to get a book on Christian Doctrines to read and learn! how exciting is it?! GAME ON DUDES!
i've just started reading this book today, and it was really addictive! i tried to slow down, so that i can at least recap what i have learnt. but, i couldnt! it was simply DELICIOUS!
anyway, this was what i have learnt:
when i first started reading this book, a question popped up in my mind. -why did Christ choose the 12 from ordinary backgrounds? why not choose people with great leadership and people from the religious establishment?
and John MacArthur answered this question for me. -Jesus love to choose people who are humble and ordinary. if you are humble God can use you easily because you will tend to rely on Him for strength. -2 Corinthians 12:9. Actually, these is one of the many reasons why Jesus love to choose ordinary people like us.
(Process of choosing the 12 disciples that eventually did things that shook the world.)
Phase 1: Conversion
this is phase one of their calling. it illustrates how every disciple is called first to salvation. We must recognize Jesus as the true Lamb of God amd Lord of all, and embrace Him by faith. This stage of the disciples' call did not involve full-time discipleship. Although they followed Jesus in the sense that they gladly heard His teaching and submitted to Him as their Teacher, they remained at their full-time jobs earning a living through regular employment.
Phase 2: a call to Ministry
This was the occasion when Jesus pushed out from shore to escape the press of the multitudes and taught from Peter's boat. After He finished teaching, He instructed Peter to launch out to to launch out to deep water and put in his nets. Peter did so even though the timing was wrong (fish were easier to catch at night when the water was cooler and the fish surfaced to feed), the place was wrong (fish normally feed in shallower waters and were easier to catch there), and Peter was exhausted (having fished all night without success). He told Jesus, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5) The resulting catch of fish nearly sank 2 boats! (v6-7) It was then when Jesus said, "Follow Me, and i will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). And from then on, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Phase 3: Apostleship
Throughout this phase of training, the Lord Himself stuck closely with them. He was like a mother eagle, watching the eaglets as they began to fly.
Phase 4: Martyrdom
This is the fourth phase of their calling, which occurred after Jesus' resurrection. Jesus appeared to the remaining 11 in His resurrection body and sent them into all the world, commanding them to disciple the nations. This was, in effect, a call to martyrdom. Each of them ultimately gave his life for the sake of the gospel. History records that all but one of them were killed for their testimony. Only John is said to have lived to old age, and he was severely persecuted for Christ's sake, then exiled to the tiny island of Patmos.
Despite the obstacles they faced, they triumphed. In the midst of great persecution and even martyrdom, they fulfilled their task. Against all odds, they entered victorious into glory. And the continuing witness of the gospel -spanning 2000 years' time and reaching into virtually every corner of the world -is a testimony to the wisdom of the divine strategy.
(Process of choosing the 12 disciples that eventually did things that shook the world.)
Phase 1: Conversion
this is phase one of their calling. it illustrates how every disciple is called first to salvation. We must recognize Jesus as the true Lamb of God amd Lord of all, and embrace Him by faith. This stage of the disciples' call did not involve full-time discipleship. Although they followed Jesus in the sense that they gladly heard His teaching and submitted to Him as their Teacher, they remained at their full-time jobs earning a living through regular employment.
Phase 2: a call to Ministry
This was the occasion when Jesus pushed out from shore to escape the press of the multitudes and taught from Peter's boat. After He finished teaching, He instructed Peter to launch out to to launch out to deep water and put in his nets. Peter did so even though the timing was wrong (fish were easier to catch at night when the water was cooler and the fish surfaced to feed), the place was wrong (fish normally feed in shallower waters and were easier to catch there), and Peter was exhausted (having fished all night without success). He told Jesus, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5) The resulting catch of fish nearly sank 2 boats! (v6-7) It was then when Jesus said, "Follow Me, and i will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). And from then on, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Phase 3: Apostleship
Throughout this phase of training, the Lord Himself stuck closely with them. He was like a mother eagle, watching the eaglets as they began to fly.
Phase 4: Martyrdom
This is the fourth phase of their calling, which occurred after Jesus' resurrection. Jesus appeared to the remaining 11 in His resurrection body and sent them into all the world, commanding them to disciple the nations. This was, in effect, a call to martyrdom. Each of them ultimately gave his life for the sake of the gospel. History records that all but one of them were killed for their testimony. Only John is said to have lived to old age, and he was severely persecuted for Christ's sake, then exiled to the tiny island of Patmos.
Despite the obstacles they faced, they triumphed. In the midst of great persecution and even martyrdom, they fulfilled their task. Against all odds, they entered victorious into glory. And the continuing witness of the gospel -spanning 2000 years' time and reaching into virtually every corner of the world -is a testimony to the wisdom of the divine strategy.
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