295 – What is a Christian?

#faithbites #faithjourney Christian

If I asked you, what was a Christian, could you answer? Would you say you were one or would you say you are a Lutheran or Catholic or Protestant or one of the multitudes of sub-denominations out there? I posted something on facebook today regarding the rules of the Bible and how Jesus changed the laws. Some agreed, some didn’t. During the discussion, I realized, that it is hard to say you are a Christian without having a twenty-minute story of what kind of Christian you are. (Yes, I’m exaggerating here). The truth though is we make it more difficult than it needs to be.

Before I was baptized, I was always confused about the many denominations of Christianity. I also believed that there were only three main Jewish Denominations (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform). I later learned there were a few more. But when I started looking at Christianity, I was so confused. Some of the denominations are so similar but one scripture or one doctrine separates them.

I hear the refrain, What Would Jesus Do. I wonder what he would think if he saw his church today.

Scripture

• and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. – Acts 11:26
• I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. – 1 Corinthians 1:10
• There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, – Ephesians 4:4-5
• I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. – Galatians 1:6-10

Reflection

Ok, I know I threw a lot of scripture up there. I hope that you find it interesting and fulfilling. The Acts verse is the first time that followers of Christ were called Christians. The funny thing is these weren’t the Christians in Jerusalem.  We are told many times throughout the bible that there is one lord, one faith, one baptism, and we should all be a servant of Christ.

I know this #faithbite may upset some. To be honest, I don’t know what Jesus would do if he was here today. I don’t know the right way or the wrong way to worship him. I know that I trust in him, believe in him, and search for answers from his word.

In our church, Lutheran Christian, we have the 5 Solas:

• Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
• Sola Fide – Faith Alone
• Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
• Solus Christus – Christ Alone
• Soli Deo Gloria – To the Glory of God Alone.

For me, this is all about God, not man. If we follow his word, then we have salvation. The dictionary says a Christian is “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a belief in Jesus Christ and his teachings”. To me, that is pretty simple. You follow Christ’s teaching through the scripture, understanding the parables and how he answered the laws of the old testament. One verse isn’t being a Christian. Full understanding, faith, and study is the path to a Christian life.

I know this may upset some of you. That isn’t my goal. My goal is to understand my faith, share it, and understand Solus Christus – Christ Alone

Charge

When someone asks you what a Christian is, do you have an answer? Do you tie your answer to your denomination or is it to the scriptures or a mixture? Can you follow Christ fully and believe in his word? Through the water and the blood, you have salvation.

Lord, help me to live a Christian life. Give me the strength to not get bogged down in doctrine, names, and dogma. Let me always follow your will.