I Am An Evangelical - Are You?

 

In their own words defining evangelicals: "Lifeway Christian Resources is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, a collection of like-minded churches who share a common bond of basic biblical beliefs and a commitment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in every nation."

The National Association of Evangelicals puts it this way: 'Evangelicals take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion, meaning “the good news” or the “gospel.” Thus, the evangelical faith focuses on the “good news” of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ.'

A little wordier than the SBC, but with the same meaning when it comes to characteristics, from NAE evangelicals have:

• A serious approach to the Bible
• A focus on the "good news" of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ
• An emphasis on the authority of the Bible
• A relationship with Jesus Christ
• Conversion
• A belief in the necessity of being born again
• An emphasis on the importance of evangelism
• Affirmation of traditional Protestant teachings on the authority and historicity of the Bible

Lifeway's list is a bit shorter, but hold the same characteristics:

• The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
• It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
• Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation.

I was baptized into a Southern Baptist associated church following my profession of faith, and remained a member through marriage and the birth of three children. Some physical moves resulted in our visiting a number of churches, some not Baptist, until we ended up closed to an evangelically active Baptist church identifying itself as Fundamental and Independent, basics of the early New Testament churches set up in specific cities. I did not, and still do not, find doctrinal issues - except in the divisiveness within the SBC. 

They are no different, though, than the schisms in any other Christian denomination. Half of America's Christians are excepting into their congregations members living in situations sinful as defined in the Bible. Note that when I started my blog, I began my beliefs with:

"I believe the Bible is Holy, the divinely inspired and preserved Word of God, the final authority for all faith and life. I place this belief first, not because it is the most important, but because it explains and provides answers for so much of the following. Without the Bible, there is not a foundation for believing ...", and then I go further into specific beliefs, including explanatory scriptures. I know what I believe, why I believe it, and have expectations based on scripture. 

As to having sinful people in the congregation, we all sin. Often people respond with scripture:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 KJV)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)

Never accept single scripture without context. Matthew 7:1 leads into verses 2 through 6, which explains we are to work with the person being judged after we work through our own sinful nature. Lots of scripture available to help us do that. As for Luke 6:37, you will need verses 38 through 45 - and maybe 46 would be helpful, too. Scriptures were not originally written with verses - those were added years later for reference purposes.  While I love and appreciate them, I won't single out a verse without studying what's next to it.

Now - bottom line: Are you an evangelical? Do you believe the God who inspired the Bible exists, 

- that the Bible carries His truth, 

- that it is historically accurate, 

- that Jesus is God Son and eternal life is through Him,

- that Jesus' life is the gospel, the good news,

- and that He, Himself, asks us to to tells His story, to join us in eternity?

If so, you, too can be an evangelical by sharing that message. Is there any reason you do not wish to do so? Why?

To encourage readers - and those they speak with about Jesus - I write this blog with my own thoughts after Bible reading. If you have a moment, would you leave a comment (anonymously if you wish) stating your thoughts about evangelicals, and about your interest in reading your Bible.