WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

                         WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

Acts 11:26: - “…and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch…”

Acts 26:28: - “… And Agrippa [said] unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian…”

 1Peter 4:16: - “… but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name….”

  THESE STEPS TO SALVATION CAN BE FAKED!

A). HEARING THE GOSPEL, not enough: - Matt.7:21; Rom. 2:13; 1John 3:7; James 1:22-23, 25; Acts16:17.

B). BELIEVING THE GOSPEL, not enough: - James 2:19, 24; Galatians 5:6.

C). CONFESSION OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, AS THE SON OF GOD, not enough: - Matt.8:29; Mark1:24;    5:7; Luke 4:34; Acts 16:17; 19: 15.

D). BAPTISM. IMMERSION IN WATER, not enough: - Acts 19: 1-7.

E). REPENTANCE, IF AFFIRMED, AND EMBRACED INTO A LIFESTYLE, IS THE EVIDENCE OF A NEW BIRTH: - Romans 6:3-5 (v4). This is basic, the fruit of salvation.

 

                                       BRETHREN, WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

1. A DISCIPLE: -

1.       A). Acts 11:26:-- “…and the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”.

2.       B). John 8:31 “…if you continue in my word, then are you my Disciples indeed…” 14:15,21,23; 15:10,14.

3.       C). John 13:35 “…By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

4.       D). John 15:8 “…Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my Disciples.”

2. COUNTING THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP, (LUKE 8:18): -

1.           FORSAKING ALL YOUR POSESSIONS-

             LUK.14:28-33; PHIL.3:7-8; LUK.9:57-; LUK.14:26-27.

2.           DENYING YOURSELF, ALL—

           MAT.16:24-27; GAL.5:19-21; ESAW, COULD NOT DENY ALL; JUDAS;

3.           PRESENTING YOUR BODY A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD—

          ROM.12:1

4.           A LIFE OF WORKING OUT YOUR SALVATION-

          PHIL.2:12

5.           A LIFE OF TEACHING-

          2TIM.2:2; Luk.19:11-27.

6.           A LIFE OF SUFFERING (LIVING FOR OTHERS)---

2Tim.2:11-12; 2TIM.3:12; 4:7; ACTS14:22; MAT.13:20-21; 16:25; JOHN12:24-26; Mark 10:42-45; 9:35; Mat. 18:15-17; 21-22; Luke 17:3-4; Phil. 2:3-11; 1Cor.10: 24

7.           A LIFE OF SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND IT’S RIGHTEOUSNESS-

          MAT.6:33

 

8.           BEARING FRIUTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

John 15:1-end.

3       FORMER CONDUCT OF CHRISTIANS

LIVED IN THE FLESH: Ephesians 2:1-3; Galatians 5:16-17, 19-21. (A. Carnal person. Romans 7:13-25; 1Cor. 3:3. B. Filthy conduct. Sinful; wicked; lawless deeds; lewdness; 2Peter 2: 7-8)

OLD MAN OF DARKNESS AND LUST: Ephesians 4:22, 17-19.

CONFUSION AND EVIL: James 3:13-16. ( Unruly, Disorderly, Opposition to Authority. 2Cor. 12: 20-21).

ZEALOUS RELIGIOUS ERROR: Galatians 1:13.

AIMLESS: 1Peter 1:18; James 1:26.

 

4       PRESENT CONDUCTS OF CHRISTIANS.

 

WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL Phil 1:27-30.

SIMPLICITY AND GODLY SINCERITY: 2Cor. 1:12; 1Thess. 2:10.

EXAMPLE TO THE BRETHREN: 1Tim 4:12.

CONTENT, NOT COVETOUS: Heb. 13:5.

GOOD CONDUCT OF HEAVENLY WISDOM: James 3:13; 1Peter 3:16.

HOLINESS AND GODLY FEAR: 1Peter 1:15-17; 2Peter 3:11.

HONOURABLE: 1Peter 2:12. 1Cor. 16:14; 13:5.

PURITY: 1Peter 3:1-2; Titus 2:5.

 

 

 

 

                              

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