Section 3 “Discipleship”
There is a fellowship among those who ride motorcycles born only from the common experience of riding. This common bond creates unique opportunities for evangelism and fellowship. Wheels of Faith Riding Fellowship exist to reach the lost, disciple the believer, and develop the bonds of Christian Love through fellowship and accountability. Our constitution, found in the back of this handbook, establishes the qualifications and responsibilities for membership. (read more in the “Introduction”)
People ride motorcycles for a variety of reasons. For some it is their primary form of transportation. For others it is a hobby. Although most enjoy riding alone, there is something unique and fulfilling about riding in a group or formation. For many, it is this group riding experience that draws them to become a part of Wheels of Faith, RF. Riding in a group presents additional safety issues to each rider.(read more in the (read more in “Section 1 – Fellowship“)
Wheels of Faith is a Riding Fellowship. Discipleship and Fellowship are two of the three mandates of our ministry. Evangelism is the third. We evangelize everyone we come into contact with, the barber, the waitress, the store clerk, and even the 1%er. As bike riders we have a natural point of contact with the 1%er. This thread is a fragile one. Most 1%ers would say we have nothing in common but perhaps that we ride motorcycles. The following pages will open the door to understanding the 1%er and how to share with them should the opportunity present itself. (read more in “Section 2 Evangelism”)
What does it mean to be a disciple? For some it means to be a student of a person or teaching. Although this is accurate, there is a more literal meaning. “A person who submits to a discipline, or one who disciplines themselves to a teaching.” While many people study Christianity, those who discipline themselves to the teachings of Christ are fewer. Remember, its one thing to know who Jesus is, and quite another to submit oneself to Him as Lord and become obedient to His teachings which are His will for us.(read more in “Section 3 Discipleship”)
What does it mean to be a disciple? For some it means to be a student of a person or teaching. Although this is accurate, there is a more literal meaning. “A person who submits to a discipline, or one who disciplines themselves to a teaching.” While many people study Christianity, those who discipline themselves to the teachings of Christ are fewer. Remember, its one thing to know who Jesus is, and quite another to submit oneself to Him as Lord and become obedient to His teachings which are His will for us.
Every Wheels of Faith member is expected to have a daily devotional time which would include prayer and Bible reading. Of course, we all should be attending church as well. God’s word tells us this:
“ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. ” (Heb 10:23-25 NASB)
The Wheels of Faith way is one of integrity, honesty, love, and accountability. As a membership, we are all accountable to one another. When we put on the patch, we are no longer just representing ourselves, but now make a public confession of Christ as our patch proclaims, “Jesus is Lord.” Therefore, each of us loves the other. We have their best interest at heart. Our relationships help us remain accountable to the Fellowship and to God. Every disciple should have a clear understanding of what they believe. Each of us should have a basic understanding of the following sixteen statements:
Sixteen Statements
The Scriptures Inspired
- The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct .
The One True God
- The one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
- The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
The Fall of Man
- Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God
The Salvation of Man
- Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. - The Evidences of Salvation. The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
The Ordinances of the Church
- Baptism in Water. The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized.
- Holy Communion. The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elementsbread and the fruit of the vineis the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus; a memorial of His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming; and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”
The Baptism in the Holy Ghost
- All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
- The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues , but different in purpose and use.
Sanctification
- Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.
The Church and Its Mission,
- The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.
The Ministry
- A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world (2) worship of God, and (3) building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
Divine Healing
- Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.
The Blessed Hope
- The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church.
The Millennial Reign of Christ
- The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years.
The Final Judgment
- There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death
The New Heavens and the New Earth
- “We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”.