I Call Them Christians

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Steve Starcher:
>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.

I would like that to happen here as well....

>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.


Again...witnessing is tough and a fine line to toe in trying to show
people what they need and not offending them!

>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.

<snip>
>One of my pet peeves is that Apostolics try to make converts
>intellectually.

With a person that believes the bible is the Word of God...and is open
there are opportunities that only the Word of God can offer in
discussion. I have had it work and seen others use it. You can not be
hard, but you must be firm in your stand.  (IMO)

>I tell others that they need to understand the experience of Jesus in
>the Apostolic community before they can understand its theology.

It may work...I have seen a simple Bible Study (like Bro Harveys) do
wonders...so I guess it all depends on the audience you have.


>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?


The term Christian was used to describe those that followed Chirst and
the commandments...because I do not call them brethern does not mean
that I do not love them or hav a burden for them...on the contrary the
fact that I can not call them brethern gives me a greater burden for
them as I desire that they be saved! I do not see them as enemies...I
see them as lost souls that the Lord desires to be saved!

>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.

Again you seem to open acknowldge the existance of either multiple plans
of salvation OR you accept "Believe it and receive it". I see none of
this species stuff in the Bible...there was one way, one faith, one Lord
and one baptism...the rest is of man...not God.

You claim to be an Apostolic due to your "Apostolic Faith"...I wonder if
"Catholic Faith" is the same as Paul wrote "ONE FAITH"....

Lord Bless;
Bill




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