What Does It Mean To Be A Christian #2

At last Autumn here! For the last few weeks we have seen signs indicating that winter is around the corner! The Canadian Wild Geese are training their young ones to fly in formations and to follow their leaders. It is so interesting to watch and listen to them honking their orders to the younger generation born this spring. Then there are the various species of green trees gradually turning into shades of light green, yellow, orange, brown, fiery red and colors of deep wine. Oh so beautiful!

Welcome to our Blogspot. We trust that you will be encouraged and helped as you read our Posting today. We continue, as we said we would, on the topic of what does it mean to say: “ I am a Christian?” We want to again go into the Scriptures to see what it says, and not what I think it means.

No doubt, you who are reading this, consider yourself a Christian. As a native-born Aruban, and fellow Antillean of the islands around, as Bonaire and Curaçao, St. Marten, etc; I am totally aware that the great majority of us consider ourselves CHRISTIAN. And if someone would ask us how we became a Christian, many of us would answer more or less in the following manner: I was born a Christian; I grew up in a Christian home; or I became a Christian when my parents had me baptized.

BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT?

In our first message about that name we mentioned that the Word Christian is mentioned only three times in the Bible. And those called Christian, were called that because they believed in Christ, and followed His teachings, and those by the Apostles. But, before that they were called believers, disciples, brethren, but they were also called saints and the Church. Today, after more than two thousand years, the world is still confused and mixed up about titles and names.

But thanks be unto God, Who has made it possible for us to have the Holy Scriptures, through which we can learn and be taught, repent and be corrected in the way of God. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

The name Christian alone is NO guarantee for entrance into the Kingdom of God. However, personal faith in Jesus Christ, motivated by repentance of our sins, is the guarantee to forgiveness and eternal life. This incredible and inexplicable blessing is offered to every living person in the entire world, by grace without money and without price. But, there was a price that had to be paid, and that was the shedding of the blood of Christ, the son of God, on the cross for us. He died in our place to reconcile us to God. We can read the following words in the Bible: “You were bought with a price; therefor honor God with your body.” 1 Cor. 6:20 and 1 Cor.7: 23. And also in Ephesians 1:7,8 we read, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Dear friends, the blood of Christ is included in His life, and in the cruel way in which He was crucified for us. But God, the Father on the third day, through His power raised up Christ from the dead, and gave Him a NAME above all other names both in heaven and on earth.

One day, friends, all knees will bow to this Jesus, but the better time to do this is today, even at this very moment. Do not delay, obey today.
Written and prepared by Bicento & Betty Henriquez
Write to us at: bbhenriquez@shaw.ca
Or Write us a Comment - as one did last week. Thanks so much!

What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

The name Christian or the title Christian identifies a person who professes to be a follower or disciple of Christ. In the Book of Acts chapter eleven and verse twenty-six, we read the following words, “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

After this, the name or title Christian, is mentioned only two more times. The Apostle Peter is the only apostle that mentioned the name Christian, and it is mentioned in the context of suffering. This is what we read in 1 Peter 4:12-19. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
That is why, friends, a true Christian, is a person who has heard and believed the Gospel of God, and with the help of the Spirit of God, we are able to understand and obey it.

Obedience is when the sinner repents of his life of sin, and believes with all his heart in the Son of God, who shed His blood on the cross because of our sins. There is no Christian outside of a living faith in Jesus, the son of God.

Water baptism without a personal faith in Christ is in vain. To be a member of some religion, or of a church without repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, is a false hope, in which multitudes are living today.

Ask God today to help you repent and believe the good news that there is forgiveness and eternal life, possible only through faith in the Son of God.

Do you have any question after reading the above words? Take a moment and drop us a line via email sharing your questions or comments. That way we can interact with each other. Our blog address is: www. Bbhenriquez.blogspot.com and our email address is: bbhenriquez@shaw.ca

We will continue this topic of WHAT or WHO is a Christian in our next blog! Keep watching for it!