There seems to be a basic formula, whether in a non-denominational church or at a larger crusade type event. The pastor or preacher who is filled with the Holy Spirit conveys a message that stirs the hearts of those in the audience. An invitation is given to either raise a hand, come to the altar, etc, and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Generally, there are individuals available to offer prayers and a Bible, and the person is sent on their way encouraged to find a church home where the Bible is preached. This is certainly a great start, but should not be the conclusion. This new sheep often leaves overwhelmed but not knowing what to do with these emotions and the road before them. It is very easy for this sheep to be quickly disillusioned and devoured by their surroundings. If they find themselves in a church with a gifted pastor, this will certainly help them once a week. Ministries are good but are often task oriented and will often include prayer with one another, but that is also not the model that seems to be put forth in the book of Acts of the early church.

We don't know how he received this, possibly a gift due to his position or possibly a purchase, but we read in Acts 8:26-29, of an Ethiopian official sitting in his chariot having left Jerusalem reading the book of Isaiah. Notice the interchange which takes place in 8:30-31, "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him." This official was obviously desiring to move forward but could not understand what was before him. Previously in Luke 24:25-27, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus came along two of His disciples, as we read, "Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow to heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered those things and enter into His glory?" And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." These disciples needed to be mentored, they couldn't figure it out on their own. We read of Cornelius in 10:2, that he was "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." This family was most likely wealthy (he was a centurion of the Italian Regiment) and was surrounded with pagan worship and pleasures, but as opposed to modern society where most parents absorb into their children's culture in attempt to remain relevant and "cool", Cornelius led his family to believe in God. But, Cornelius did not possess everything that he needed. Notice in Acts 10:24, what Cornelius does when Peter agrees to come to his house, "...Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends." After Peter presented the gospel message to those assembled, and the holy Spirit fell upon those assembled in 10:44, we read the conclusion in 10:48, "...Then they asked him to stay a few days."

Throughout this book and the New Testament there is a focus on discipleship, while in today's church there seems to be more of an emphasis on conversion. The two are not the same. The new believer will be attacked and is very vulnerable. We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, "Two are better than one...For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up...Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." When Jesus sent out His "lambs among wolves" (Luke 10:3), He purposely sent them out in pairs. Our walk in Christ is not a solo sport or a spectator sport, it is a team event. As we mentor and disciple one another, it is to be more than Christian friendship where we engage on conversations about health, sports, the weather, etc, we read in Colossians 3:16-17, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." As the Ethiopian official responded , how could he understand unless someone guided him, may God lift up guides and receptive hearts as we go through the entirety of God's Word. The commitment will bless both people who are being mentored. May God open our hearts and our minds in whatever path He chooses for us, and may we be faithful to His leading.