[SIZE=12pt]Unfortunately, too many in our 21st century culture, the term Christian has come to mean just about anything to anyone. For example, Catholics call themselves Christians even though the beliefs and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church are completely against the tenants of the Bible. Mormons call themselves Christians too, but like Roman Catholicism, the teachings of the Mormon “church” also flatly contradict the clear teachings of the Jesus of the Bible. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Many in the LBGT culture call themselves Christians as well, yet their lifestyles are in flagrant rebellion and complete contradiction of Scripture. New Age Hollywood pop culture icons such as Roma Downey and Mark Burnett lay claim to the title Christian, even though their beliefs are nothing close to genuine Christianity. Even our current president, sometimes calls himself a Christian without demonstrating one scintilla of evidence that he has any inkling of what the term means.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]ALL of these individuals and groups claim the title of Christian, but each one has his own ideas regarding what being a Christian means. Furthermore, each of these beliefs blatantly contradict the clear teaching of the One who calls Himself “The Word made flesh,” the Christ from whom the very term Christian is derived. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now think about this: If all of those with contradictory beliefs and doctrines call themselves Christian then the very term becomes meaningless. If there is no set meaning for what defines and differentiates one as a Christian, then the very term loses all sense of identity and distinction. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]But, being a Christian does have a specific definition. It has both a particular meaning and an historical meaning. Therefore for any person or entity to hijack the term and twist it to suit their own definition or agenda, does violence to both the meaning of language and to history. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]In actuality, calling oneself or any entity Christian should mean a particular thing. It should mean that everyone who calls himself by that term (as well as any other group or entity that identifies itself as Christian) is one who adheres to the fundamental beliefs set forth by the One who made the term meaningful in the first place. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]In the case of Jesus who claimed the title “Christ,” we had better find out from Him the criteria that He set forth for those who would follow Him and who would identify themselves with His name. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]According to the Scriptures, a genuine Christian is one who: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]1) Believes in Jesus as being THE Christ (God incarnate). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]2) A genuine Christian is one who accepts Jesus’ statements regarding Himself and His purpose as fact, and who lives his life by faith according to those claims. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]3) A genuine Christian is one who accepts Jesus as Savior through faith believing that He is the One and only Savior of mankind that He claims to be, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]4) A genuine Christian is one who puts his faith in the crucified and risen Son of God—the Christ, and who follows the teachings regarding Jesus Christ as they are revealed in His Book, the Bible.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thus, a real Christian is one who accepts the record of the Bible as being literally true, one who has followed Christ for salvation and forgiveness of one’s sins according to the criteria Christ Himself set forth in the Bible. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Many in the LBGT culture call themselves Christians as well, yet their lifestyles are in flagrant rebellion and complete contradiction of Scripture. New Age Hollywood pop culture icons such as Roma Downey and Mark Burnett lay claim to the title Christian, even though their beliefs are nothing close to genuine Christianity. Even our current president, sometimes calls himself a Christian without demonstrating one scintilla of evidence that he has any inkling of what the term means.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]ALL of these individuals and groups claim the title of Christian, but each one has his own ideas regarding what being a Christian means. Furthermore, each of these beliefs blatantly contradict the clear teaching of the One who calls Himself “The Word made flesh,” the Christ from whom the very term Christian is derived. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Now think about this: If all of those with contradictory beliefs and doctrines call themselves Christian then the very term becomes meaningless. If there is no set meaning for what defines and differentiates one as a Christian, then the very term loses all sense of identity and distinction. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]But, being a Christian does have a specific definition. It has both a particular meaning and an historical meaning. Therefore for any person or entity to hijack the term and twist it to suit their own definition or agenda, does violence to both the meaning of language and to history. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]In actuality, calling oneself or any entity Christian should mean a particular thing. It should mean that everyone who calls himself by that term (as well as any other group or entity that identifies itself as Christian) is one who adheres to the fundamental beliefs set forth by the One who made the term meaningful in the first place. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]In the case of Jesus who claimed the title “Christ,” we had better find out from Him the criteria that He set forth for those who would follow Him and who would identify themselves with His name. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]According to the Scriptures, a genuine Christian is one who: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]1) Believes in Jesus as being THE Christ (God incarnate). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]2) A genuine Christian is one who accepts Jesus’ statements regarding Himself and His purpose as fact, and who lives his life by faith according to those claims. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]3) A genuine Christian is one who accepts Jesus as Savior through faith believing that He is the One and only Savior of mankind that He claims to be, [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]4) A genuine Christian is one who puts his faith in the crucified and risen Son of God—the Christ, and who follows the teachings regarding Jesus Christ as they are revealed in His Book, the Bible.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thus, a real Christian is one who accepts the record of the Bible as being literally true, one who has followed Christ for salvation and forgiveness of one’s sins according to the criteria Christ Himself set forth in the Bible. [/SIZE]
