I Call Them Christians

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Sis Janet wrote:

"Bro. Starcher, I would really like to know how you define a
"Christian"".

Sis Janet,

My goal in presenting the Apostolic faith to others is to engage in a
responsible dialog.  Dialogue involves two parties listening and
sincerely
attempting to understand one another.  This is very difficult for
Apostolics who assume that their faith and understanding of Scripture
should be self evident to all.  Rather than listening to what
Trinitarians are saying we are busy recalling Apostolics answers to
questions, which may or may not be the ones Trinitarians are asking.  If
we listen and seek to understand their faith, they will listen and seek
to understand the Apostolic faith.  If the Apostolic faith is true, and
I believe it is, God will establish its truthfulness.

When I present Apostolic salvation to others I do
so with the confidence that the Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to
establish its truthfulness, not my intellectual ability, not the passion
and depth of my conviction.  I have also learned that for some
understanding Apostolic salvation takes time.  They have to overcome
years of misunderstanding, error, and traditions.  The Apostolic faith
is new to them and they are sacred!  This is compounded by the fact that
the Apostolic movement has not achieved glowing reviews in Christendom! 

The quickest way to end a dialogue is tell your partner that he or she
is believing a lie, is deceived, is lost, and is on the way to hell. 
Which is doing more damage, being tolerant to a fault, or closing the
door to all dialog?  I can tell someone that I disagree with their
theology in a good way, remain friends, and not become an advocate for
their faith, denomination, or movement.  I want to do everything in my
power to remain in dialogue and give others an opportunity to understand
and experience the Apostolic faith.

One of my pet peeves is that Apostolics try to make converts
intellectually.  We quote Scriptures, preach doctrines, and go door to
door like Jehovah witnesses.  We ignore the fact that our beliefs arise
from the experience of Jesus in the Apostolic community.  While
attending Bible College I became friends with a Baptist teenager at the
nursing home where I worked.  He had been a faithful Baptist for years
and was attending a Baptist Christian High School.  We became friends
and shared our Christian faith.  I never told him he was lost.  I never
told him he was deceived and believing a lie.  My wife and I invited him
over for lunch and dinner several times, praised him for attending a
Christian High School and serving God as best he knew how.  We told him
he should come visit our Church someday when he was free.  That day came
sooner than was expected. He had never been in a Pentecostal Church
before.  He was overwhelmed by the worship, anointed preaching of Jesus,
and the love of the Apostolic saints he experienced.  During lunch
following the service we explained Apostolic distinctives.  Because he
had experienced the presence of Jesus in an Apostolic community and the
love of the people of God he was receptive.  The following month I
baptized him in the name of Jesus Christ and he received the baptism in
the Holy Spirit with the sign of speaking in tongues as he emerged from
the water!  This young man was not confronted by doctrines, he was
confronted by Jesus!  This young man was not confronted by condemnation,
but by love!  His experience of Jesus in the Apostolic community led to
an understanding of Apostolic doctrines.  This is the type of
understanding we need in the Apostolic movement.

I tell others that they need to understand the experience of Jesus in
the Apostolic community before they can understand its theology.  We
need to do everything possible to allow them to experience the reality
of the Apostolic faith.  Once again, how can this be done unless there
is toleration without condemnation?  How can this be done unless others
have learned to trust and respect us?

What really is the substance of the Christian faith?  Is it
denominations?  Is it doctrines?  Is it salvation? Is it religious
experience? Is it the Bible?  No, all of these Christian realities point
beyond themselves to Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is Christianity! 
People call themselves Christians because they are attempting in all of
their human weaknesses, frailties, and misunderstandings to follow
Christ.  I call them Christians because they, like me, are trying to
explain their faith from the pages of Holy Scriptures.  I call them
Christians because they share, with me, the the common heritage of the
Christian faith.  I call them Christians, even when I disagree with
their theology, because I want to build upon the faith they possess and
not destroy it.  I call them Christians, even when they are wrong in
their faith, because I have been wrong in my faith to.  I call them
Christians, even when I don't understand their faith, because I want to
establish a relationship with them to enable me to gain understanding
and show them what I perceive is a better way.  I call them Christians, 
even when they are determined to be my enemies, because  I want to
follow Christ's commandment and make peace, and who else can you make
peace with if not your enemies?

This month marks the second  anniversary of the death of my
Grandmother, the one whose life and faith won me to the Lord. 
Officiating at her funeral was the most difficult thing I have ever
done. It brought back so many memories!  She taught me so many lessons
in life!  Perhaps the greatest lesson was the need for toleration.  She
was thoroughly Apostolic in faith, and committed to the Lord.  But she
was always in fellowship with other Christians, attending revivals and
social functions.  She never said a harsh word against other
Christian.  She demonstrated the truth of her faith by her Christ like
life.  She won her family and countless others to the Lord.  She did
this with only a third grade education.  She did this without being able
to explain all of the intricacies of the doctrine of God and the reasons
why Apostolics believe Acts 2:38 is the plan of salvation.  She did this
because she was first and foremost a Christian committed to Jesus
Christ. 

This is what I want to be.  Genus: Christian.  Species: Apostolic
Pentecostal.  Description:  A follower of Jesus Christ who 
understands the Christian faith from the perspective of the Pentecostal
experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of
speaking in tongues.  In this experience Jesus Christ is said to be
personally present to bring salvation to all who would respond in
faith.  This experience results in Christ centered worship, faith, and
life.   Theological distinctives are consistent with this experience and
include water baptism performed in the name of Jesus Christ and a
revelational doctrine of God, God himself (the Father), is present in
Jesus Christ (the Son), through the Holy Spirit (the Spirit).  Possesses
a passionate desire to proclaim the Gospel and evangelize the world. 
Seen to practice various forms of spiritual discipline, holiness, and to
devote themselves to Christian service. Willing to fellowship and engage
in responsible dialogs with other Christians about their common faith. 
Known to be very knowledgeable and persuasive.  Firmly committed to the
truth of their faith.  A good example for all Pentecostals seeking to
understand and/or recover the dynamic and powerful faith, worship, life,
and ministry of the early Pentecostal movement.  Contact with extreme
caution!  This faith is contagious!  Conversion may result!

God bless!

Steve