Listen to the Sermon: 06302013ChristiansOnlyDonRuhl

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Christians Only 

Why do we have to add other names to the name Christian?

Acts 26.24–29

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • June 30, In the year of our Lord, 2013

Persuasion: 

  1. Who do men say that a Christian is? 
    1. Some say he is Catholic.
    2. Some say he is Protestant.
    3. Some say he is Jewish.
      1. Christians share similarities with all these.
      2. Yet, it is something different.
    4. What do you get when you put a person and the Bible together?
      1. He would simply be a Christian.
      2. Why would he be anything more or anything less?
  2. Can He Be Categorized as Jewish?
    1. Agreements
      1. Worship God
      2. Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures, Torah)
      3. Morality
    2. Disagreements
      1. Christ
      2. New Testament
      3. Law of Moses
  3. Can He Be Categorized as Catholic? 
    1. Agreements
      1. Bible
      2. Christian virtues
      3. Church is universal (catholic)
    2. Disagreements
      1. Traditions
      2. Church government
      3. Worship
  4. Can He Be Categorized as Protestant? 
    1. Agreements
      1. God
      2. Savior
      3. Bible
      4. Morality
      5. Protest unscriptural practices
    2. Disagreements
      1. Hierarchy
      2. Creeds
      3. Faith only
  5. Why Can We Not Just Be Christians? 
    1. To be a Christian only:
      1. You have to change your belief status.
      2. You have to change your living status.
      3. You have to change your spiritual status.
    2. How would first century Christians be classified?
      1. As servants of Christ1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1Co 4.1).
      2. They only persuaded people to be one name, Christian,24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26.24–29).
        1. The way of unity (John 17.20–23).
        2. What the Lord wants (1Co 1.10–13; 3.1–4).
          1. Take the name Christian only
          2. Forsake all anything not included in Scripture.

Exhortation: 

  1. Why insist on denominating? 
  2. Why add names to the name Christian? 
    1. Let us be free to be Christians simply.
    2. Do not be bound with anything outside the Bible.
  3. I invite you now to be a Christian, nothing more, nothing less.