Christian vs. The Way

“Christian”, today the word “Christian” could be a given name of either male or female it is most often used in a secular way to distinguish Westerners from cultures dominated by other worldly religions.

The Revell Bible Dictionary (Click the link in the sidebar to buy this book), an amazing addendum and practical study guide for the student of the Holy Bible says this about the word “Christian”.

Christian A person who has a personal faith relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26) and the word appears only two more times in the New Testament (Acts 26:28; 1Peter 4:16) The Greek word, Christianos, means “belonging to Christ”.

Originally the tag of “Christian” was more than likely an uncomplimentary and derisive name given to the Apostles very similar to our modern tag of Jesus Freak. So the word itself is one with negative connotations and akin to suffering and persecution of believers, in its original meaning all three times it is mentioned in the New Testament.

So that’s a total of three times the word “Christian” comes up now lets examine “The Way” which is how Jesus and the Apostles referred to what they were doing.

“The Way” or “Followers of Christ”, today this term comes up every now and then, usually in direct contrast to what the word “Christian” has become in our world. And the misrepresentation of the word “Christian” by people who do deplorable things in the name of God.

“The Way” comes up seven times, referring to the disciples of Jesus Christ (The Way John 14:4-6)

Let’s look at them all and allow you to decide for yourself if we should be called “Christians” or followers of “The Way” (The Way of Jesus Christ)…

Acts 9:2 - Saul asked for letters from the high priest to the synagogues of Damascus allowing him to persecute the people of “The Way” and bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts19:9 – Paul in Ephesus comes across some believers that hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit after baptizing them in the Spirit he preached in the synagogue for three months. Now after ‘some’ the text says “were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitudes” Paul “withdrew with the disciples. Reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus”.

Acts 19:23 – As Paul sent others into Macedonia he himself stayed at Ephesus were a commotion arose against “The Way”

Acts 22:4 – Paul talks of his former life as a Pharisee and of how he persecuted this Way to death and imprisonment of those followers of “The Way”.

Acts 24:14 – In Paul’s defence before Felix he says in “the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets”.

Acts 24:22 – Felix had heard of “The Way” and procrastinates on making a decision in regards to Paul.

So then we can cave to popular opinion and call ourselves (those that believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour) “Christians” or we can be followers of “The Way”. No matter what we personally choose. It is not a matter to fight each other about when we should be concentrating on what Jesus meant about the Way.

• What would Jesus Do?
• What did Jesus Do?
• What will you Do?

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

The Real Christian Test

Are you a real Christian do you consider yourself the real deal?

I have developed a little test that consists of one question with many possible answers. It will allow you to see if your the real deal or not and it's based on Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

How many people have you converted to Christ?

• Today

• Yesterday

• This week

• This month

• This Year

• Last Year

• Your lifetime

C.H. Spurgeon said and I paraphrase him here "If you do not have a burning desire to see others saved as you are then you are no Christian at all".

For some Way cool tools and Ways to share your faith check out this site...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here

Subscribe in a reader

All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

An Atheist & Christian Conversation

ATHEIST;

I am smart say's the atheist/intellectual in the crowd, God does not exist says he, and you Christians are all wrong about this God stuff; man are you guys dumb says he in a mocking tone.

CHRISTIAN;

I am blessed, say's the Christian in his midst whom the atheist would call down and ridicule his brother’s beliefs. You see say's the Christian I was once just like you in my thoughts, my heart and my belief. I was no different then the thousands of philosophers who came before and after me nor will I be the last to proclaim the blessed hope of Jesus Christ to a dying world.

ATHEIST;

Dying world says the Atheist/intellectual in the crowd speak for yourself says he; for I have searched high and low and this world I assure is not dying but it is thriving says he. It doesn't matter that the worlds resources are dwindling away or that my pollution is contributing to the dying world I firmly knew. It doesn't matter that disease is rampant and the natural remedy is no longer there due to my inexhaustible hunger for the products I consume.

CHRISTIAN;

It doesn't matter indeed says the Christian for this world will pass away. Now in my search for the why and the how of it all; I did find the answer looking at me through the hallowed tombs of antiquity where a book did stand out more than any other ever before, more than any other ever to be.

ATHEIST;

What book exhorts the atheist/intellectual for how do you think I got this way if there was such a book I would possess it even now and quote it with reverend dignity, to it's sought and tested truths.

CHRISTIAN;

Why its the New Testament says the Christian it is the most historically accurate book in existence today, bar none there is none other that even approaches its glorified state, it has well over five thousand (5000+) Greek manuscripts that testify to that fact as my mind did make a connection so did my heart in the reading and digesting of its contents.

ATHEIST;

I have read your book says the atheist/intellectual and I find it wanting and something left to be desired it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and in my stomach; I reject it for it is nonsense to me.

CHRISTIAN;

I do believe your saying Christian does utter back for the book itself says that some are made for honour and some for dishonour perhaps you are of the latter and not of the first. But then who am I to judge, am I God that I would judge another? No I am not, but just a humble servant who would proclaim He that would (Jesus Christ). Not with prejudice do I proclaim this, but with compassion, mercy and grace bestowed upon me by the God of the most historically accurate book in existence today!

To be continued...

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Try a Bible Quiz and test your knowledge

click here ---> BIBLE QUIZ <--- click here

Subscribe in a reader

All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar