"Christianity : the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ"
The question, 'What is Christianity', was in the comments in response to a devotion I posted on FaceBook. (Social Media has become a very useful tool that enables the followers of Christ to advance the message of Christ.) This question keeps haunting me, yes haunting me, because the answer is easy to locate in the dictionary but it has probed deep into my Spirit. Are we following the teachings of Christ? Do we read the Bible often or do we just casually read a verse here and there? Do we wait until we go to the church of our choice and depend on the preacher to be our complete source of biblical knowledge? Why do we have so many denominations or maybe a better word would be divisions in the community we refer to as Christianity? Do we believe what we believe because it was handed down from our ancestors and we've found verses to validate our belief system or do we really believe the Bible? Do we know what the Word of God actually says for ourselves or do we know what someone told us it said? Have we adapted to a lifestyle we picked up at the church by default or do we grow in grace as we journey by faith? I'm often asked where something is in the Bible and when I say, "Actually, that's not in the Bible", I get the strangest looks, sometime more than strange looks.... So, 'What is Christianity' and are we Christians?
Read this passage from Acts 11 slow and deliberate, please;
"Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, PREACHING THE LORD JESUS, And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a WHOLE YEAR they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called CHRISTIANS first in Antioch"(Acts 11:19-26 KJV)
Christianity is a group of people that have been introduced to Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost and the Preaching of the Word of God!! Once introduced, they put their hands to the plow, they don't look back, they take up their CROSS and bear it to the nations of the world!! Have you been called a Christian lately? Are you 'cleaving' to the Lord Jesus Christ with 'purpose of heart'? If you are the only Christian that someone ever sees, how is that going to work out for them in the end? Does our lives portray a clear message or do we send out mixed signals? Are we fulfilling what Christ wanted us to fulfill?
Just asking myself the hard "in my face" questions, "Keeping it Real"!!
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12 KJV)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
