by Samuel A. Matthews<\/p>\n
“Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?<\/em>” (James 2:6-7 KJV).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Loved ones, to answer our subject question completely, we will address three distinct aspects. First, we will consider whom denominations consider Christians. Secondly, we will entertain the question, “Can one accidentally become a Christian?” We will conclude by addressing the biblical answer.<\/p>\n
The answer to the question, “Who is a Christian?” will vary greatly depending upon the religious background of the person you are asking. A person with any denominational background will translate the question in his mind to, “How does one become a member of their particular group?” Consider the following answers that various religious groups might give.<\/p>\n
\n
- A member of the Baptist denomination might cite “The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches” by Hiscox, page 62, where it is stated, “Faith alone saves.” However, according to “Church Manual Designed For Use of Baptist Churches” by Pendleton, page 17, and Hiscox, page 23, one joins the Baptist Church by relating “experiences, then the membership votes whether to receive a new member and allow him to be baptized.” Does this agree with the directions we are given in the New Testament concerning our becoming a Christian? If so, where does the New Testament teach that one must relate his experiences and be voted on to become a Christian?<\/li>\n
- A Mormon, referring to the Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, page 4, will say the Mormon doctrine of salvation involves not only faith in Christ, but baptism by immersion, obedience to the teaching of the Mormon Church, good works, and “keeping the commandments of God (which) will cleanse away the stain of sin.” Does this agree with the directions we are given in the New Testament concerning our becoming a Christian? If it does, where is it taught that one must be obedient to the teachings of the Mormon Church to become a Christian?<\/li>\n
- A Seventh-Day Adventist might quote the “Questions on Doctrine,” page 105, which states, “One who truly understands and accepts the teachings of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church can assuredly know that he is born again, and that he is fully accepted by the Lord.” The teachings include grace only and obeying the Ten Commandments. Does this agree with the directions we are given in the New Testament concerning our becoming a Christian?<\/li>\n
- Adherents to the Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine advocate that a Christian (follower of Christ) must prove his faith by being baptized “not for the forgiveness of sins, but for symbolizing his dedication of himself to do God’s will.” (This Means Everlasting Life, by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, page 117). Does this agree with the directions we are given in the New Testament concerning our becoming a Christian?<\/li>\n
- The Methodist Church teaches one becomes a Christian by “faith only.” N. B. Harmon, editor of “Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church,” wrote, “The doctrine of justification by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.” Does this agree with the directions we are given in the New Testament concerning our becoming a Christian?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From this small sample, we can see confusion about the question, “Who is a Christian?”<\/p>\n
Before addressing the biblical answer to our question, let us consider whether one can accidentally become a Christian and a member of the Lord’s church.<\/p>\n
More and more common is the effort becoming to teach that not only may one become a Christian and a member of the Lord’s church quite by accident, but by the same premises one must conclude that there is a great “universal” church to which many belong and about which they know nothing.<\/p>\n
Also, the same premises will lead one to the same conclusion sectarians reached long ago: that when one is sincere in what he is doing, the Lord makes him a Christian and a member of that great “universal” church, the body of Christ, irrespective of what denomination he joins or does not join.<\/p>\n
To believe that people may sit at the feet of denominational preachers, hear denominational doctrine, believe that doctrine, be convicted by that doctrine, obey that doctrine, and at the same time be obedient to the Lord, is altogether foreign to scriptural teaching. It is truth (and only the truth-John 8:31-32) that makes one free from sin, and all denominational preaching in the world on the matter of redemption only adds to the bondage one is in because of sin.<\/p>\n
Many sectarians become incensed at the use of the phrase “churches of Christ” in reference to us as Christians (Romans 16:16). Why? They claim it is a travesty against the universal church of Christ, of which they claim to be members, and “localizes” the church. Does this sound like correct teaching regarding the kingdom of God?<\/p>\n
In Acts 8:12, when the people heard Philip and believed what he preached about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized and became Christians. When people are immersed because of the preaching of denominational doctrine, what have they heard about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus? Has it been the truth? No<\/strong>! How, then, can their obedience to error deliver them from the darkness of Satan’s kingdom and inaugurate them into the kingdom of God?<\/p>\n
All the false arguments in the world will not change the truth of our Lord into a lie. Men may deceive and be deceived, but what the Bible says about who is a Christian will remain unchanged. Men may ignore the truth; they may rebel against the truth and sin against the truth; but the truth will still be the standard by which our souls are judged in the last day (John 12:48). It matters not what the reputation may be of those who teach error; appeals to those teachers shall not avail with those of us who love and know the truth.<\/p>\n
We urge kindness be shown to those in denominational error, but truth must be preached and taught. We are to love all men and be concerned about the salvation of all, but that love and concern is not genuinely reflected in any effort that is not designed to lead them forth from the error in which they are mired.<\/p>\n
To call a man a Christian and admit him into the fellowship and work of the redeemed when, in fact and truth, he is not among that number is one of the most cruel and unkind acts one can commit against his soul, because it deceives him into indifference toward further seeking the truth of salvation.<\/p>\n
Our hearts go out to those who, in all sincerity, have presented themselves as candidates for membership and have been accepted into a local congregation of God’s people on the basis that they have a good conscience about their becoming a Christian when, in fact, their obedience was NOT as the Scripture teaches-not for the right purpose; not with the right significance being understood; not with sufficient understanding concerning who is a Christian and the church to which he or she was being added; and therefore, an unscriptural act of obedience.<\/p>\n
The name “Christian” is found three times in the Word of God. First, we read, “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch<\/em>” (Acts 11:26). The second reference which uses the word “Christian” is when King Agrippa said to the apostle Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian<\/em>” (Acts 26:28). The third reference to “Christian” in the New Testament comes when Peter wrote, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf<\/em>” (I Peter 4:16). Or, as the American Standard Version says, “But let him glorify God in this name<\/em>.”<\/p>\n
In all three passages where we find the name “Christian” in Scripture, the word is clearly a noun. Indeed, the word “Christian” names a certain type of person- a unique individual. The name “Christian” implies a significant relationship with the Son of God.<\/p>\n
Who is a Christian? Can we tell whether we are the people of God? Fortunately, we have abundant information and reliable documentation that will reveal the fundamental characteristics of a Christian, so we can examine our lives against God’s standard and discover whether we should wear the name.<\/p>\nWho is a Christian? According to one inspired writer, a Christian is one who has “obeyed the gospel<\/em>.” Peter wrote, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?<\/em>” (I Peter 4:17). Obviously, the apostle identifies the “house of God<\/em>” as those who have obeyed the “Gospel of God<\/em>,” and these are the very people he called Christians in the preceding verse!
\nThe gospel (or the good news of salvation through Christ) is the “gospel of God<\/em>” because He is the Creator of the message. The gospel is divine in inception. The gospel includes commands that men must obey (John 14:15; Luke 6:46). In fact, obedience to the gospel’s commands is so critical to one’s salvation that those who decline or neglect to obey them will one day face eternal punishment (cf. Hebrews 5:9).\nListen to the Word of the Lord: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power<\/em>” (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).<\/p>\n
As surely as the gospel makes faith in Christ necessary unto salvation, then without faith there is no hope (John 8:24; Mark 16:16). As surely as the gospel reveals the command to repent, it is repent or perish! (Luke 13:3, 5; II Peter 3:9). As surely as Paul included an oral confession of the Lord Jesus as part of what he called “obeying the gospel<\/em>,” then one must confess the Lord (Romans 10:9-10, 16). As surely as Jesus declared relative to the gospel, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved<\/em>” (Mark 16:16), one who desires salvation must obey this command.<\/p>\n
Who is a Christian? The person who obeys the gospel is a Christian. One who is saved by the power of God in the gospel (Romans 1:16) is by the Lord added to the church (Matthew 16:18-19; Acts 2:47), God’s family, a body of Christians (I Corinthians 12:27). These people are submissive to pay any price to become God’s chosen people; they tolerate either physical or verbal scorn in order to remain faithful Christians (Revelation 2:10). Since Christians are followers of Christ, God informs them, in the New Testament, about problems of morality, and these people follow the Lord.<\/p>\n
In light of this truth, is it any wonder that Peter said, “Glorify God in this name<\/em>?” We glorify God by wearing the name of His Son and by being what is implied in the divine name “Christian!”<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Samuel A. Matthews “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:6-7 KJV). Loved ones, to answer our subject question completely, we will address three distinct aspects. First, we will consider whom denominations consider Christians.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[99,494],"class_list":["post-98157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-becoming-a-christian","tag-christian"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13242,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-right-to-marry-a-non-christian-if-she-is-willing-to-convert\/","url_meta":{"origin":98157,"position":0},"title":"Is it right to marry a non-Christian if she is willing to convert?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 8, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is it right to marry a non-Christian girl if she is willing to convert? 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