Follow by Ann-Louise
Although the exact number is uncertain, most sources say there are over 30,000 distinct Christian denominations in existence around the world. Why so many? Why so many differences? Who has it right? Who should we follow?
Let's take a look at how the world defines this thing we call "Christianity."
- "Christianity... is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament." (Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)
- "The religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and practiced by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies." (Source: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christianity)
- "The Christian religion, founded on the life and teachings of Jesus." (Source: answers.com/topic/christianity)
Do you see the pervading theme here? "Christianity" is generally viewed as a "religion." Regardless of the basis it claims, a "religion" is, in today's usage of the term, following a set of beliefs and practices defined and established by men.
Many in the western world have adopted the title of "Christian," without fully understanding what it means. Non-Christians look to the history and practices of the established church as they seek to define the concept of "Christianity". But is being a Christian really just a matter of following church tradition, attending services and doing what the established church says you should do? Or is it something more?
To answer that, let's take a look at the origins of the term "Christian." The word first came into usage during the time of the apostle Paul. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26)." From the Greek word christianos, "Christian" literally means "follower of Christ". There is a stark contrast between being a follower of Christ and a follower of a church, don't you think?
Please note... I am in no way anti-church. In fact, I attend a particular church regularly. However, although my church has blessed me in many ways and I have learned a lot from my pastor, my life as a follower of Christ/Christian is not based upon the doctrines of my church or even the teachings of my pastor. Such a statement may surprise those who have faithfully followed church rule and dogma most of their lives, but please allow me a moment to explain.
When Jesus found Peter and Andrew, He didn't say, "Come. Follow the teachings of My new church." He simply said, "Follow Me (Mt 4:19)." In fact, it is recorded in the gospels that Jesus gave this simple instruction many times to many people. "Follow Me," He said.
Follow Jesus. A simple statement made too complex by too many people all too often. Yet, if we look to what Jesus has said of Himself, it's really quite simple; simple enough for a child to understand. In fact, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:15)."
To follow Jesus means to believe in Him and what He has done for you. John 3:16 is a verse many of us have heard many times. It’s a verse that lays out God’s plan for you and for me – His plan for you to follow Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Do you see that? God says He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, to pay for your sins (all the bad things you have ever done). If you believe in Jesus, you don’t have to pay the penalty of your sin – He did it for you!
Jesus wants you to follow Him because He is the one who has good news for you. The bad news is that we all deserve to be punished for eternity. The good news is “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; Andthat he was buried, and that he rose again the third dayaccording to the scriptures(1 Corinthians 15:3-4).”
Because of this good news, God says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." God wants us to be truly sorry for our sins and allow Him to change us so we can be forgiven.
Some reading this may accuse me of easy believism. They want to add some “doing” to the following.” But God didn’t say do anything, He tells us to believe, to follow Jesus.
Acts 16:31 says simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
Please watch this video, listen to the words and choose to follow Jesus today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBR4rFJi9Rk
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Let's take a look at how the world defines this thing we call "Christianity."
- "Christianity... is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament." (Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)
- "The religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and practiced by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies." (Source: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christianity)
- "The Christian religion, founded on the life and teachings of Jesus." (Source: answers.com/topic/christianity)
Do you see the pervading theme here? "Christianity" is generally viewed as a "religion." Regardless of the basis it claims, a "religion" is, in today's usage of the term, following a set of beliefs and practices defined and established by men.
Many in the western world have adopted the title of "Christian," without fully understanding what it means. Non-Christians look to the history and practices of the established church as they seek to define the concept of "Christianity". But is being a Christian really just a matter of following church tradition, attending services and doing what the established church says you should do? Or is it something more?
To answer that, let's take a look at the origins of the term "Christian." The word first came into usage during the time of the apostle Paul. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26)." From the Greek word christianos, "Christian" literally means "follower of Christ". There is a stark contrast between being a follower of Christ and a follower of a church, don't you think?
Please note... I am in no way anti-church. In fact, I attend a particular church regularly. However, although my church has blessed me in many ways and I have learned a lot from my pastor, my life as a follower of Christ/Christian is not based upon the doctrines of my church or even the teachings of my pastor. Such a statement may surprise those who have faithfully followed church rule and dogma most of their lives, but please allow me a moment to explain.
When Jesus found Peter and Andrew, He didn't say, "Come. Follow the teachings of My new church." He simply said, "Follow Me (Mt 4:19)." In fact, it is recorded in the gospels that Jesus gave this simple instruction many times to many people. "Follow Me," He said.
Follow Jesus. A simple statement made too complex by too many people all too often. Yet, if we look to what Jesus has said of Himself, it's really quite simple; simple enough for a child to understand. In fact, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:15)."
To follow Jesus means to believe in Him and what He has done for you. John 3:16 is a verse many of us have heard many times. It’s a verse that lays out God’s plan for you and for me – His plan for you to follow Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Do you see that? God says He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, to pay for your sins (all the bad things you have ever done). If you believe in Jesus, you don’t have to pay the penalty of your sin – He did it for you!
Jesus wants you to follow Him because He is the one who has good news for you. The bad news is that we all deserve to be punished for eternity. The good news is “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; Andthat he was buried, and that he rose again the third dayaccording to the scriptures(1 Corinthians 15:3-4).”
Because of this good news, God says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." God wants us to be truly sorry for our sins and allow Him to change us so we can be forgiven.
Some reading this may accuse me of easy believism. They want to add some “doing” to the following.” But God didn’t say do anything, He tells us to believe, to follow Jesus.
Acts 16:31 says simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
Please watch this video, listen to the words and choose to follow Jesus today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBR4rFJi9Rk
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