Articles

I’m Simply A Christian

Written by Frank Jamerson.

(Note: The following is a translation of the leaflet that George Micu prepared to hand out in Pitesti, Romania. Frank Jamerson handed out over five thousand during the time heworked there.)

Oftentimes I’m asked what church do you belong to, what  sect are you part of, and I   answer—I’m Christian, just Christian. But again, I’m asked, what kind of Christian? To this question I’m a bit puzzled, because the New Testament teaching only reveals one name, that of a Christian; nothing more.

Religions around us: (1) In the world there are many religions. There are a lot of churches—large, small, old, new, liberal or conservative. Thus, it is normal that the world asks us to try to classify us in one category or another.

needs to evolve and adapt to the new needs of people. But we are not a new sect which came about to enrich religion. We have heard that diversity is a good thing, that only one church cannot satisfy everybody. From here the wrong conclusion is drawn that it is better to have many churches so that we can have our choice.

Ask the people—who talk about a partisan spirit. They talk about my group, your group or their group—each wishing to bring into the limelight their own religion. Thus, some emphasize the Holy Spirit, others the Sabbath, baptism, or ethics. And their names are just as different: Pentecostals, Adventists, Baptists, Catholics or Orthodox.

Unity in Christ—Paul asked: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized   in  the  name   of  Paul?”

(1 Cor. 1:13). Did Jesus preach the gospel for over three years to divide and disorient us? Did Jesus give Himself as a sacrifice on the cross to divide people? Is the message of the gospel of Christ responsible for the great number of different churches? Of course not! Christ prayed to the heavenly Father in this manner: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 17:20,21). Jesus said that he would build His church (Mt. 16:18), and it would be built upon the fact that He was the Son of the Living God.

“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). What is the significance of being a Christian?  He is a disciple of Jesus.  You become a Christian by first hearing about the life and teachings of Christ. Then you believe strongly in your heart that He is the Son of God; you repent of your sins, confess Him and you are baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:36-41). In this way, you make a covenant with Christ entering into His kingdom and He will care for your soul. Thus men choose Christ as Lord.

Those who hear His call and obey His will are added to His church. They come together each Sunday to bring worship to God by singing hymns, praying and partaking of the Lord’s supper in remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29). Then, believers become teachers by speaking to others about the life, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus. They make up the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. A building is not a church within itself, but only can shelter a church, an assembly of Christians. According to the New Testament, the church of Christ does not have any other leader than Christ, and its organization is only local and very simple. Working for the Lord and learning His will together with other Christians will complete their spiritual growth (Eph. 4:11-16). All this is produced by “good seed,” the word of God (Lk. 8:11), which brings forth only Christians. “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of  God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:23). But where men sow their own words, and not the word of God, different plants come forth—hyphenated Christians, which are not in fact Christians. The Lord said “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31,32). Therefore, a true disciple is one who follows the teachings of Jesus found in the New Testament.

Invitation—Do not let yourself be troubled and disappointed by the many religions around you, but believe with all your heart that Jesus has prepared for man the only way of life. One that is simple and at the same time perfect. Depart from rituals and complicated doctrines invented by men. Instead, receive only the word of Christ. Choose to be a Christian, nothing more, nothing less. Holding no other teachings but the teachings of Christ and no other cause but the cause of Christ.

 

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