JUST A CHRISTIAN

     One time a "union meeting" was held with two different
denominations working together -- one preacher from one
denomination one night, the other one the next night. They had
agreed not to teach their own peculiar, denominational doctrines
and agreed to preach just the Bible. As a result of the preaching
during the meeting, some three hundred souls responded. However,
as the meeting drew to a close, one problem was quite obvious --
what should the converts be called and where should they worship?
One hundred decided to join one denomination, and another hundred
decided to join the other. The third hundred asked, "Haven't we
obeyed the Gospel? Haven't we been saves? Aren't we Christians?"
They reasoned, therefore, that they shoduld not join themselves to
a denomination, but should simply band themselves together to work
and worship just as Christians did in the first century, to be a
church that belongs to Christ.
     Today, in the confusion of religious division that exists in
denominationalism, a person in inclined toward throwing up his
hands in exasperation. One should think seriously about this
problem of division. As you ponder it, think about the
illustration used in our introductory remarks. Is it possible for
a person to be JUST a Christian. This is all that one need be. In
fact, is there any other solution for removing the religious
division that we see around us today? Can a person be just a
Christian, a child of God; wearing the name of Christ, and it
only; whose loyalty and subjection is to Christ only; forgetting
about denominationalism and its divisive ways?
     In the first century there were no denominational churches as
we see around us today. Look into your Bible and see if you can
find even one. Does that tell you something? Does it not mean that
denominations originated many years after the first century,
therefore, none of them can be the church that was built by Christ
Jesus. In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus said, "I will build my church."
Did He build differing denominations? To ask the question is to
answer it. Can you feature Christ establishing the church in
Jerusalem that teaches one thing. Then establishing a church in
Corinth that teaches altogether something different. Then
establishing a church in Philippi that teaches things different
from the one in Jerusalem and the one in Corinth? It follows then
there was no such thing as denominational Christians in the first
century.
     The apostle Peter affirmed that there is salvation only in
the name of Christ. Acts 4:12 so affirms. In Acts 11:26, we learn
that, "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." The
apostle Peter tells us that when one suffers as a Christian, we
should not be ashamed to suffer "on this behalf" (1 Peter 4:16).
The name Christian is the name given by God for His children to
glorify Him. What kind of Christians do we read about in the first
century? I can read of only one. Can you find another??
     The word "Christian" is used rather loosely in our day and
times. Some are called "good Christian people" who do not even
believe in Christ, much less obey Him. We hear nations called
"Christian nations" whose principles are basically atheistic and
humanistic. To be a Christian means to be "Christ-like." The term
Christian can scripturally be applied only to one who has
submitted himself or herself to the will of Christ; thus that one
is Christ like. That one becomes a servant of Christ, following
His commandments and living as He directs.
     How does one become a Christian? The first essential step is
to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Christ Himself
said, "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins"
(John 8:24). Yet, there were those who believe in Him, but were
not Christians. Note John 12:42. Thus, faith is necessary, but
faith alone is not sufficient unto salvation. James tells us that
"faith without works (Obedience) is a dead faith" (James 2:26).
     For one to become a Christian, repentance is required. Paul,
by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, "Now commandeth all
men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). Repentance is a change of
mind that results in a change of life.
     In Romans 10:10, Paul states, "For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation." Thus the believer, who repents, is willing to
confess his or her faith in Christ as the Son of God.
     In Galatians 3:26-27, we read, "For ye are all the children
of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Faith, yes indeed, but
also baptized into Christ as a result of one's faith in Christ.
Paul, himself said that he was told, "to arise and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). The apostle Peter states
that baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). Does it? Read the passage for
yourself, then tell me that this is not so.
     To deny the necessity of faith, repentance, confession and
baptism is to stand opposed to all of these passages that have
been mentioned. One who is a Christian became such by believing in
Christ as the Son of God, repenting of their sins, confessing
their faith in Christ with their mouth and being buried in the
waters of baptism for the remission of sins; each act or deed as
important at the others. When one agrees with and obeys the
commands of Jehovah, then and only then does one receive the
forgiveness of sins that comes from the Father in Heaven.
     In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, "Therefore if any man is in
Christ, he is a new creature: behold, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself..," reading through verse 19. This new creature or
creation is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It
is from a burial in baptism that Paul says we are raised to walk
"in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). Hear Him, "For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be in the
likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed
from sin," reading through verse 7 of Romans 6.  Being a new
creature, one is thus transformed by the renewing of the mind as
stated in Romans 12:1-2. These scriptures affirm the fact that
this new creation is spiritual and is the result of obedience from
the heart to the commands of the gospel. Also, all who are new
creatures in Christ are ONE in Christ. All have been born of the
Father in response to the seed provided by the Father, which is
the word of God.
     Christians are referred to as children, saints, brethren and
disciples because these suggest different aspects of this
relationship. However, the name that God gave for His children is
"Christian" (Acts 11:16). This name was given to the exclusion of
all names which show allegiance to a man, method of worship, or
some type of organization.
     Religious division frequently exists because of man-made
names. Religious people like to be thought of as Christians with
each being a different kind of Christian. Was there more than one
kind of Christian in the first century??? Not that I have been
able to find. If you know of one, perhaps you will share that
information with me. I would be more than happy to hear of it.
Those in the first century were Christians, just Christians. Real
unity is possible only through the name of Christ. Human names
will continue to divide men religiously. And yet, it seems that
this is what the majority of religious people desire. They seem to
revel in the fact that there are some many differing
denominations. Surely, the Lord is not pleased. He prayed for
unity among believers, as we discussed a couple of weeks ago.
     Jude 3, reads, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write
unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the
faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." Here the
term "the faith" refers to that system of faith or the gospel.
Paul states, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of
God" (Romans 10:17). The Christian has no other creed or belief.
The Word of God is referred to as the Seed of the kingdom in Luke
8:11. It is called the seed because it is planted in the human
heart ( or mind) and brings forth fruit unto God. When the Word is
sown it will produce like kind. Have you ever heard of sowing
watermelon seed and getting pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers and
perhaps watermelons?? The farmer knows better than that. Yet,
religious people feel that they can plant the seed of God and come
up with all kinds of Christians. An honest heart knows better than
that. When the seed of God's word is sown, it will produce the
same results in the hearts of everyone who accepts it. Now, if is
it mixed with some other kinds of seeds or tares, then, perhaps
others plants will be developed. But, they will not please the God
of this Universe. The traditions of men cause religious division.
Jesus said that those who follow the commandments of men are
worshipping him in vain. That's the reading of Matthew 15:9. And,
yet, men come along and say, "It makes no difference what one
believes just so long as one is honest and sincere." My listening
audience, that is the message of Satan. The Devil would have you
believe that what you do is not important. God's Word says that it
is important what we do, because what we do must be in harmony
with the revealed word of truth, the seed of the kingdom.
     As a follower of Christ, one must be loyal and faithful to
Him. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John
14:15). Our Lord also states, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I
will give thee the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). In spite of
the many verses that demand obedience to Christ Jesus, mankind
comes along and often seem to offer more loyalty to their
denomination than to Christ.  When our affection leans more toward
defending our denomination than defending the name of Christ, we
will be encouraging religious division. And to encourage religious
division is a slap in the face of our Lord and Savior.
     When one becomes a Christian, his or her life becomes Christ
centered in everything that is done. Being a Christian will make
one a better husband, a better wife, a better parent,  a better
son, a better daughter, a better employer, a better employee, a
better neighbor, a better citizen, and on and on we could go.
This nation would be a better nation if all were Christians. Our
world would be a better world. Can you not imagine what our land
would be like if all citizens were following the Master in all
that we do. There would be no need for locks, for police, for our
court system, etc. What a wonderful world this would be if every
one were Christians, just Christians, nothing more nor nothing
less. May God each of the courage and the desire to look deep
within our lives and ask ourself, "Am I a Christian?" You can be,
you know.
     Would you like a copy of this manuscript, or a cassette of
this program. If so, please let us know. The address is: White
Park church of Christ, Route 1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX 77514. We
also offer you a free Video Cassette, entitled, "Good News for
Today." If you would like your copy, please let us know. It may be
viewed in the privacy of your own home and at your own
convenience. If we may assist you in a better understanding of the
Word of God, you have our invitation to contact us.
                      --Taken from a Tract by Jim R. Everett

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