Un-denominating Christianity Who Is A Christian?

Identification Issues Un-denominational Christianity must involve identification as to who is a Christian. We seem prone to identify ourselves as to denominational lines. Rather than generically. Who really is a Christian? What does that mean?

They Were First Called Christians… Acts 11:26 – “and when he [Barnabas] had found him [Saul/Paul], he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Origin of the name? Helpful for identification

decades before others understood Acts 18:12-17 – “But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul….Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews…but if there are questions about words and names and your own law…. Did not understand distinction

What Do Our Names Do Today? Baptist Methodist Church of Christ Church of God in Christ United Church of Christ Seeks to identify finer details in doctrinal understandings By choice and not by divine mandate

What Did Jesus Say Identifies? John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Still, Names can be Helpful Important to differentiate 1 John 4:1-3 -- Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

Led To early Creeds Apostolic creed – to weed out those who might be preaching heretical doctrine. ICHTHUS – Fish symbol as an identifying icon arose from that creed. Identifying, though, often leads to dividing.

Modern Identification Issues With denominations, identification issues are multiplied. As we choose to identify as the Church of Christ, we essentially denominate in the interest of un- denominating. We have chosen an identifying name.

But What name? Romans 16:16 – “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” Why not… Church of God from 2 Corinthians 1:1 and 1 Corinthians 1:2? Name is NOT mandated!

The CHurch Some have tried out just the designation of CHURCH. It is the most common identifier in Scripture. Yet, it fails to distinguish between the thousands of different doctrinal systems couched in the modern understanding of church. So how to identify?

By Doctrine Rather Than Name Ephesians 4:14-15 -- As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ….

1 Timothy 4:6 – “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” 1 Timothy 6:3-4a – “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited….”

Doctrine Is Better Identifier 2 Timothy 4:3 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires….” Titus 1:9 – “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” And other similar passages

Sound Doctrine And Unity 2 Peter 3:17 – “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness….” Steadfastness in sound doctrine

1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Unity through doctrine. It’s the only way.