Are You A Christian?
"How can a man know he is a Christian?" is a question often asked. The answer: God does not leave us standing on the quick-sands of feelings and experiences. Here are some plain statements from His word that place us on a sure and solid foundation:
"And hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: he that saith he abideth in him ought also to walk even as he walked." (1 John 2:4-6.)
"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are children of God." (Rom. 8:16.) This passage teaches that there must be agreement in testimony of the Holy Spirit and my spirit. The Holy Spirit testifies that to be a child of 'God one must:
1. Believe — (Mark 16:15, 16).
2. Repent of sins — (Acts 2:38).
3. Confess Jesus as God's Son — (Rom. 10:9, 10.)
4. Be baptized into Christ — (Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:27).
My spirit can testify that:
1. I have believed.
2. I have repented.
3. I have confessed Christ.
4. I have been baptized.
Therefore, I know I am a child of God, a Christian, for the testimony of both spirits agree. Are YOU a Christian? How do you know?
"How should people choose their religion?" is another question often in the minds of thoughtful, but uninformed, people.
The answer: Conviction based upon the teaching of the New Testament should determine what people do religiously. Too many people choose the church they are to attend like they choose the grocery store where they are to shop. Convenience, the building, or personal acquaintance determines the choice. This is the result of the teaching that, "All beliefs and religions are right." Now, if it did not make any difference what one believes in religion, the "grocery store method" of choosing would be right. But those familiar with the Bible cannot accept the idea that, "it doesn't make any difference what one believes." (See Matt. 15:13; 7:21; Gal. 1:7, 8; Eph. 4:4, 5; 2 John 9-11.) Only the teaching of Christ and the apostles is right. Only the church he established meets his approval. All other churches and religions are wrong.
"How can I find the true church?" is the question that logically enters the mind of the man who has, become convinced that there is one true church, and that all save it are wrong.
Many ask this question, but do not go to the right source to find the answer. If the question is asked of men, each one is likely to respond, "My church is the right one; come with me." The honest and sincere enquirer, therefore, need not worry himself with church histories, creeds, claims of apostolic succession, etc. All of these things serve but to reveal the folly and confusion of man in following his own human wisdom in trying to serve God. Instead of going to creeds and denominational claims, let the honest enquirer go to the word of God. In this inspired book there are many statements telling of the true church; its characteristics are so fully described as to make confusion for the honest and unprejudiced heart impossible. In the Book of Acts (chapter 2) the sinners heard the story of Christ, believed it, repented of their sins, and were baptized. The Lord added them to the church — the one true church, the Lord's church. He had no other then; he has no other now. The reason for that is simple: the church consists of "the redeemed." These people (in Acts, chapter 2) had been redeemed, hence they became a part of the church. The gospel has not changed; Christ has not changed; the church has not changed. If a man in this day follows the same course followed by these people described in Acts, chapter 2, he will be in the same church they were in — "the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood."
Why let men lead you astray in this matter? Why subscribe to creeds and doctrines which are from man and not from heaven? Why be a party to institutions unknown to the New Testament? Deal directly with God through his word. Here you will learn that the church is not denominational, not made up of warring factions, not wearing names of men and systems, not bound to human traditions and ordinances. But in this book you will learn that men obeyed the gospel, thereby became members of the church of Christ, glorified God in the name of Christ, worshiped in spirit and in truth, and worked the works as outlined by the Saviour and Master. This way is right. Here is the true church.