31 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
31 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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Title = '487. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?';
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<h2>487. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?</h2>
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<p>We find that the word "Christian" only occurs three times in the New Testament. First, "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed" (<a id="fem487-si11" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,16);">1Pe 4:16</a>). Second, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," which was spoken in contempt by Agrippa to Paul (<a id="fem487-si22" onClick="return mV('Act',26,28);">Act 26:28</a>, R.V.). Third, "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (<a id="fem487-si33" onClick="return mV('Act',11,26);">Act 11:26</a>). It has been a matter of contention as to who called them Christians, whether it was a name applied to them in ridicule by the world, or whether God called them by that name. We believe God called them Christians, from the simple fact that the word "called" in the eight instances where it is recorded, has reference to God Himself speaking and acting. The wise men, "<em>being warned of God</em>," did not return to Herod (<a id="fem487-si44" onClick="return mV('Mat',2,12);">Mat 2:12</a>); Joseph, "<em>being warned</em> of God," turned aside to Galilee (<a id="fem487-si55" onClick="return mV('Mat',2,22);">Mat 2:22</a>); it was <em>revealed</em> unto Simeon by the Holy Ghost that he "should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (<a id="fem487-si66" onClick="return mV('Luk',2,26);">Luk 2:26</a>); Cornelius "<em>was warned</em> from God" (<a id="fem487-si77" onClick="return mV('Act',10,22);">Act 10:22</a>); "She <em>shall be called</em> an adulteress" (<a id="fem487-si88" onClick="return mV('Rom',7,3);">Rom 7:3</a>), that is because God calls her so; "Moses <em>was admonished</em> of God" (<a id="fem487-si99" onClick="return mV('Hbr',8,5);">Hbr 8:5</a>); "Noah <em>being warned</em> of God" (<a id="fem487-si1010" onClick="return mV('Hbr',11,7);">Hbr 11:7</a>); "If they escaped not who refused him <em>that spake</em> on earth" (<a id="fem487-si1111" onClick="return mV('Hbr',12,25);">Hbr 12:25</a>). Thus in every case where the Holy Spirit uses this word,<sup>*</sup>· it has reference to a communication from God, and hence we assume that the title "Christian" is God-given.</p>
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<p>We give an acrostic on the word "Christian," as illustrating what he is—</p>
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<p><big>C</big>…<b>Child of God</b>, as to his relationship to the Lord (<a id="fem487-si12" onClick="return mV('Jhn',1,12,13);">Jhn 1:12-13</a>).</p>
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<p><big>H</big>…<b>Heir of God</b>, as to his inheritance in the Lord (<a id="fem487-si13" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,3,4);">1Pe 1:3-4</a>).</p>
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<p><big>R</big>…<b>Redeemed one</b>, as to his being freed by the Lord (<a id="fem487-si14" onClick="return mV('Rom',8,2);">Rom 8:2</a>; <a id="fem487-si15" onClick="return mV('Eph',1,7);">Eph 1:7</a>).</p>
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<p><big>I</big>…<b>Influence</b>, as to his responsibility to the Lord (<a id="fem487-si16" onClick="return mV('Mat',5,'14-16');">Mat 5:14-16</a>).</p>
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<p><big>S</big>…<b>Soldier</b>, as to fighting for the Lord (<a id="fem487-si17" onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,3);">2Ti 2:3</a>).</p>
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<p><big>T</big>…<b>Temple</b>, as to being occupied by the Lord (<a id="fem487-si18" onClick="return mV('1Cr',3,16);">1Cr 3:16</a>).</p>
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<p><big>I</big>…<b>Instrument</b>, to be used by the Lord (<a id="fem487-si19" onClick="return mV('Rom',6,13);">Rom 6:13</a>).</p>
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<p><big>A</big>…<b>Ambassador</b>, as to his representation of the Lord (<a id="fem487-si20" onClick="return mV('2Cr',5,20);">2Cr 5:20</a>).</p>
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<p><big>N</big>…<b>New man</b> in Christ, as to his attitude towards the Lord and the world (<a id="fem487-si21" onClick="return mV('2Cr',5,17);">2Cr 5:17</a>).</p>
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