Recently I had a discussion with well-known Bishop in this region concerning the definition of members. He stated that there are members that come to church, are active in ministry and in giving. He added that there are others that come every now and then and some that left, but have not retired their membership. I responded by saying that God did not call us to make members, but to make disciples.

         See, what this Bishop gave me were denominational definitions of terms and concepts that are not Biblical. These are man-made concepts that have added to the confusion we have in the Body today. On the first portion of Acts chapter 6:1 the Bible tells us,

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number…” (KJV)

         The word disciple here simply means, «To learn, to understand. A learner, pupil.^[1]”   The word disciple is the same word used a few verses later in verse seven. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus articulated his last words before ascending by saying,

19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:

20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (ASV)

         The word disciple here means, “To be a disciple or follower of another’s doctrine ^[2]” We are members of the Body of Christ; that happens automatically when we receive Jesus as our Savior. After we are saved our first call is to be a disciple. We must be learning from somebody the sound doctrine of the apostles.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 (ASV)

         The word teaching here means, “To teach; the act of teaching, instructing, tutoring ^[3]”

         As you can see, to be a disciple you must be humble enough to be in a position where you allow somebody to teach you. You must show that you actually understand certain things so that you can apply them in life. You don’t learn just anything, you are called to learn, understand and apply the teachings of the Apostles exclusively. These men were not perfect, but they were the only men that gave us perfect doctrine under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

         I am afraid that many denominations are taking certain liberties to add and take from God’s Word. They are establishing and making definitions of concepts that are not Biblical. No wonder we see the mess that we see in churches today. They are not fighting for souls, they are not necessarily being attacked by the enemy. They are actually dancing with the enemy by comfortably allowing the introduction of heresy in our churches.

         I personally witnessed a church leader speaking about the Bible having two truths. That same leader also stated, in an open Bible Study, that we can make our own plans and that God just wants us to take Him along with what we are doing. Never mind that the Bible is clear in the fact that Jesus is the truth and that we must die to self and follow HIM. As I attempted to correct this fool, the pastor attempted to unsuccessfully stop me.

         Examples like these are common in many churches today as the Word becomes less and less relevant. The church, in many sectors, is embracing a Constantine approach to church, a demonic mixture of truth and lies, a time when the word of a man leveled or even went above God’s Word while many church leaders stood and did nothing for the sake of maintaining their positions and statutes.

         It is time to confront the heresy of churchs’ membership. It is time to go out and make disciples by teaching them the WORD, that is what the Lord blessed, that is how we multiply, by making disciples who, in due time, will be ready to also go and do the same.

^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[3] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.