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What is a Christian?

by David Luke, Pastor, 3 Sep 2006

There are of course many ideas about what a Christian is. And if you were to ask 100 different people it would be interesting just how many answers you would receive. The following is an attempt to answer this question from a biblical point of view.

But before reading any further answer try answering the following 3 questions by way of orientation:

  • What is a Christian?
  • Do you know for certain that if you died right now you would go to heaven?
  • If you stood before God tonight and he asked ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ What would you say?

A Christian is someone who knows that if they die they will go directly the heaven. And they also know that God will accept them into heaven. So it is important that we know the answer to the first question what is a Christian?

Read on to find the answer that the Bible gives to that question. . .>>>

Adoption

Jesus encourages us to think of God as our heavenly Father. This is a thrilling idea, but there is a false notion of the fatherhood of God. People say God is the father of us all, and that we’re all children of God. So it doesn’t matter what we believe: we’re all God’s children and, therefore, all going to heaven.

Adoption: colour drawing of stork holding pink sling in beak, captioned Loving homes welcomed

Jesus flatly contradicts this idea in John 8:42–47. There he talks about some very religious people belonging to their father the devil:

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

So if God is not the father of us all, how can we know him as our father and how can he become our father?

Peter Jeffery shows us from the Bible how God can truly become our father, and we can be adopted into God’s family. . . . >>>

            We make it our goal
            to please God.
            (2 Corinthians 5:9)

SIDEBAR

Some recently added items

The notices for February are now online.

Hearing Loop Installed. Switch hearing aid to T-coilA hearing loop is installed in our main hall.

further details

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