A few of my brethren have wondered why, in the September article on the Biblical Concept of Election (Gk. "eklektos, or "eklego"), no reference was made to Acts 13:48 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13. There WAS a reason. Though often included in discussions regarding divine election, NEITHER of these passages embrace either the WORD or CONCEPT. With reference to these two passages I submit the following.
    If one will observe the context of Acts 13:48, it Is difficult to miss the fact that Luke is contrasting two ATTITUDES: 1) that of the Jews, who choose the way of darkness and condemnation, and 2) that of the Gentiles, whose hearts were made glad by the spiritual life and enlightenment that was then being offered them. They "glorified the word of the Lord!" Like the "house of Stephanas ... the firstfruits of Achala", who "addicted themselves (Gk. "tasso') to the ministry of saints", (1 Cor. 16:15); so, many of these Gentiles, whose hearts were "disposed, Inclined toward, or set on" (Gk.. "tasso") the possession of eternal life, BELIEVED?
    In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul is also contrasting the attitude of the saints (church) at Thessalonica with others. They "turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his

    In John 8:30-32 It is recorded that, as Jesus spoke, "many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my DISCIPLES INDEED; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free".
    Any endeavor to better prepare oneself for Christian discipleship is a noble undertaking. Yet, discipleship is no more evidenced in mere Intellectual comprehension than it is in pious pretension. Discipleship is a matter of WHAT ONE IS and HOW ONE ACTS. There can be no right ACTION until there is, first, a right HEART.
    In an effort to focus our attention on the immediate importance of the subject, permit me to pose a hypothetical situation. SUPPOSE that an angel of the Lord should suddenly appear - informing you that you have only 24 hours to live. You are told that to share the blessing of joint heirship with Christ, in his coming kingdom, you must, within this brief time, clearly establish the VALIDITY of your CLAIM TO DISCIPLESHIP. If the evidence Is not forthcoming, you will forever forfeit the privilege of sharing God's BEST!
    Could you prove the reality of your professed discipleship? Even to yourself? Who told you that you were a disciple of Jesus Christ? By what AUTHORITY do you

lay claim to the manifold promises, blessings and privileges divinely provided for those who are DISCIPLES INDEED? Do you have any real evidence that you are one of the Lord's "precious jewels" - a true "living stone"? Or, does your WAY OF LIFE actually prove you to be a cheap imitation? A counterfeit? A fraud? An unyielding REBEL against the actual, total lordship of Jesus Christ?
     If such questions startle you, I would remind you that the Pharisees were also startled by such questions in Jesus' day.
    Please understand that the question is NOT whether you have once trusted in Jesus, nor whether you are SAVED, but whether you are a DISCIPLE INDEED! Christian discipleship is NEVER assured by a flurry of religious activity, (Matt. 7:21-27). Thus, because it is so important to BE REAL, I ask you to consider with me something of both the PERILS and PROOFS of genuine discipleship.

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    Let us remember to thank God for all the rich, spiritual benefits He has so graciously bestowed. E.G.

    1) The Peril of Presumptuous Over-simplification. How easily many assume that "Every promise in the book is mine" - without ever considering the context in which those promises are set forth, and the conditions on which they are offered. Such over-simplification inevitably results in the preaching of an INCOMPLETE GOSPEL. Glorious as is the message of Jesus' SAVING DEATH, it alone is inadequate. We must also know something of His SAVING LIFE, whereby one is enabled to triumph over sin, (Rom. 5:10).
    2) The Peril of Careless Inattention to God's Order for True Discipleship. No one "has it made" on the basis of his initial trust in Jesus! (See: Phil. 3:7-11; 13-14; Heb. 3:13-14; Hos. 6:3). Discipleship requires some FOLLOWship!
    3) The Peril of art Uncrucified Ego. Far too often the "old Man", whom we are commanded to "mort1Ir", "put off' and "reckon dead", is allowed to CONTROL our lives. If Jesus Christ is not permitted absolute control, then "the old man" gets his way. There are even times when our Bible Study may involve nothing more than mere ego-bating; we are studying in an effort to "prove our point". Such a thing always imperils true discipleship.
    4) The Peril of art Unyielded Will, wherein we attempt to PLAY GOD - determined to have our own way and do our own thing! It was through such WILFULNESS that Lucifer became the original "rebel" against God. He vowed: "I will be like the Most High!" In the Garden of Eden he, in the form of a serpent, insinuated a willful desire into the hearts of the first human pair. He said: "In the day ye eat thereof, ye shall be as God". This spurred Eve to a deliberate choice: "I will be like God". And such willful rebellion has continued down through the

ages. The day came when Israel, God's own covenant people, said, concerning the very Son of God, "We WILL NOT have this man to reign over us!"
    5) The Peril of Unsanctified Desire - wherein one attempts to give Jesus Christ something LESS than absolute control over his life. No one is truly DISCIPLED TO CHRIST until he is brought to the place where he is willing to yield EVERYTHING to the rightful lordship of his dear Savior!
    6) The Peril of Incomplete Obedience, (I Sam. 15:17-23). Some people want to "pick-and choose" from the instructions and commandments of God's word, but He permits no such license to those who would be DISCIPLES INDEED.
    What utter folly for one to imagine himself a disciple of Jesus Christ while thumbing his nose at the church - the "house of God", "the pillar and ground of the truth" for which Jesus shed His precious blood, and over which He is now the great High Priest! To despise, ignore, or simply NEGLECT, what Jesus loves and values so highly is NOT AN ACT OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP! It strongly suggests that the person claiming discipleship under such circumstances is either DISHONEST or DECEIVED.
    1) Unwavering trust in the veracity and love of God. (Heb. 11:6)
    2) Self Denial and Daily Crucifixion, (LK. 9:23-24; 14:26-27, 33).
    3) Unquestioning Obedience, (John 15:12-17: Phil. 1:29). Even the Son of Man "learned obedience" by the things he suffered, (Heb. 5:8-9; comp. Psa. 40:8).
    4) Continuation in the Word, (Jn. 8:31-32). Let no one imagine that this condition is fulfilled in a mere intellectual pursuit of new, ego-inflating ideas. Rather,

it demands a faithful PRACTICE of what the Word commands, (Jas. 1:21-25).
    5) Love of One's Brethren, (Jn. 13:35). This involves caring for and serving one another FOR JESUS' SAKE - in honor "preferring one another" (Rom. 12:10); and esteeming other's BETTER than oneself, (Phil. 2:3).
    6) Fruit-Bearing, (John 15:7-8; Gal. 5:22-24). Here it must be understood that this is NOT something on can WORK UP; it is something that God alone is able to work within. "For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure", (Phil. 2:13).
    7) A final proof of one's discipleship is that of Absolute Surrender to the Total Lordship of Jesus Christ. He set the example of such abandonment of ALL, in his total dependence on the Heavenly Father, when He walked as a man among men. And He has said: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be AS his master, and the servant AS his lord" (Matt. 10:24-25a).
    When our Lord, following His institution of the Lord's Supper, had girded Himself and washed His disciple's feet, He said: "Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye KNOW these things, HAPPY are ye if ye DO THEM", (Jn. 13:16-17).
    In Christian baptism we profess to renounce the old "self" - pledging ourselves, henceforth, to walk in "newness of life" through the resurrection-power of our living and loving Lord. Fidelity to this pledge is a firm basis for assurance that we are DISCIPLES INDEED. Anything less will involve us in perilous PRESUMPTION!

"TASSO" .... Continued

Son from heaven", (1 Thes. 1:9-10), while others would refuse to "receive the love of the truth that they might be saved", and would, therefore, be sent "strong delusion", unto damnation, because they would not believe the saving truth, (2 Thes. 2:10- 12).
    According to my understanding, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says that, in Christ, God has "taken to Himself" (Gk. "haireomai") this church as a sort of "firstfruits" (alt. reading, "aparchen") whom He purposes to bring to the abundant fulness of that salvation which Is "in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim. 2:10). This will be effected through their faithful walk in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, (2 Thes. 2:14-15: Gal. 5:16).
    By the time this Issue of the CLARION HERALD arrives, it will be time to head for St. Louis and the Fellowship Meeting sponsored by the Calvary Cross

Missionary Baptist Church, located at California and Juniata. May I see YOU at this meeting? "Come thou with us and we will do thee good". E. G.




    A special word of thanks to Dan and Michelle Wade, and Leanna Clinton for help with typesetting this month - and to Joe Goodwin who regularly sees that the photography and plates are top quality. Thanks also to Landmark church and all who faithfully support the outreach of the CLARION HERALD!