On Being A Christian

Members of Christian denominations (and there are a lot of them) are called Christian. It’s a label assumed by them when they join their church. They are also labeled by their denomination and by doctrines within their churches.

The above graphic is too simplistic. Early Christianity was not a single grey line – Paul’s letters give testimony to differences from the time Christians were first called that by outsiders:

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26 KJV)

In a later chapter, the king acknowledged Jesus’ followers were called by that name:

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28 KJV)

From Paul’s letters, it is obvious that of those persuaded, not all understood what it meant to be Christ’s follower. That’s why the letters to the churches are important for us today – what did they do right, and what did they do wrong? Why was Paul inspired to write as he did, and were there good results? Why should we be interested, today, in a first century author’s letters?

In my case, I believe the books included in the New Testament are scripture – but it would take a much longer venue for me to go into why. I ask that you do that study for yourself. Others have done so and determined the books of little importance, subject to societal and cultural changes over centuries. I hold them to have been inspired by God, His continued message to His people. A book of examples and instructions as to what went right as well as what went wrong.

It is also my personal opinion that we spend a lot of time looking through this book in order to justify doing what we want to do rather than following instructions given by God.

We look for loopholes, for undefined lines where we can move away from the strait gate and narrow way. We want the way to be broad and the gate open wide for all treading many paths. The New Testament God is not different from the Old Testament God who laid out what was to be for eternity.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:8 KJV)

To be a Christian is not a label, but is living as a believer in God’s word that Jesus is His Son and our example. It is not a buffet spread for us to pick and choose what is currently in fashion. It is filled with mercy and grace from a God who loves us enough to show it.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 KJV)