BUT I THOUGHT I WAS A “CHRISTIAN”
BUT I THOUGHT I WAS A “CHRISTIAN”
INTRODUCTION:
One of Satan’s greatest strategies is to offset God’s truth by way of counterfeit. The devil knows that truth is here; so, his only means is to employ someone or something to disguise truth as much as he can. Jesus said false prophets would “appear’ in sheep clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7: 15). Paul said that Satan “transforms” himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11: 14). Jesus says again, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7: 21).
This “appearance” and “transformation” is very popular with the name “Christian.” In Biblical parlance the name Christian had a definite and distinguished meaning to first century followers. However, Christendom is now defined as “believers” who accept the basic tenants of Christianity as opposed to world religions and godless philosophies. In this tract, we would go back to Bible teaching on the name Christian and those who were identified as such. The following was written to arrest your attention to the claim multitudes are making in being a Christian.
CHRISTIANS WERE PROPAGATED. Very early in the Bible we learn of the law of propagation. “And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind…” (Genesis 1: 12). We learn from this passage that every seed produces after its own kind. You cannot plant tomato seed and bring forth apples. You cannot plant watermelon seed and bring forth oranges. Humans are begotten by humans. Monkeys produce after their own kind and bring forth monkeys. Its all in the seed.
In the spiritual realm the Bible teaches us that the seed is the word of God (Luke 8: 11). So, whatever the seed produces, will bring forth its kind every time. The word of God (the seed) will bring forth a Christian and a Christian only. You cannot plant the word of God and produce any denomination in the world because the seed must produce after its own kind. The word of God will not produce Baptist; it takes Baptist seed to make one a Baptist. The word of God will not produce so-called “Jehovah Witnesses”; it takes “Jehovah Witnesses” seed to make one a “Jehovah Witnesses” etc. The word of God conspicuously mentions no denominations because the seed will not produce such. Whenever you plant the “seed” (the word of God) into honest hearts you will have Christians and Christians only.
CHRISTIANS WERE DESIGNATED. While we acknowledge that God’s people were designated by various names in the Bible, we deny that they were given any of the modern man-made names today. No one was an “Episcopalian”; no one was a “Methodist”; no one was “Catholic”; no one was a “Baptist” etc. As a matter of fact, Paul condemned the Corinthians for calling themselves after men (1 Corinthians 1: 12). Three times in the sacred scriptures God’s people were called Christians. (1) “…And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11: 26). Many believe this name was given in derision; however, we believe this name was prophesied in the long ago: “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name” (Isaiah 62: 2). The Jews of old and God’s people today were on equal footing so far as names were concerned except one. The new name is Christian. (2) “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian’” (Acts 26: 28). Agrippa was not almost persuaded to be a “Presbyterian” or a “Lutheran.” Neither was Agrippa a hyphenated “Christian,” e.g., a Baptist “Christian.” He was almost persuaded to be a Christian and only a Christian. (3) “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4: 16). Peter instructed the sufferers to suffer as Christians. Never at one time were they to suffer as any of the man-made names given today. God’s people were designated by the name Christian as a follower of Christ.
CHRISTIANS WERE LOCATED. If Jesus built His church (and he did) “…and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16: 18), and if the saved are in His church (and they are) “…And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2: 47), and if the saved are identified as Christians (and they are) “…And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11: 26), then the Christians are in the church of Christ (Romans 16: 16). Jesus has no children outside of His family. Paul wrote, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3: 15). Christians are located in the “house of God” which is the church of Christ. None others who have not heard the gospel, believed, repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ, and been baptized for forgiveness of their sins are located in the church of Christ. Christians are not located in denominations started and built by men; but in the church Jesus built.
CHRISTIANS WERE CREATED. Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2: 10). The Christian life is one of activity. The Bible teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2: 26). Yet, those works must be the works of God: “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10: 35). The Christian busies him/herself with the good works of teaching and preaching the gospel to the lost (Mark 16: 15-16); worshipping in Spirit and truth (John 4: 24); defending the truth when under attack (Jude 3); being benevolent to the needy (Galatians 2: 10); doing good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6: 10); practicing pure and undefiled religion (James 1: 27). However, good works can only be accomplished by those who have been propagated by the “seed” (the word of God) in producing a Christian; by those who are designated by the name Christian; and by those who are located as Christians into the one church (church of Christ) which He built.
∼By Stacey Mobley
