BIBLE STUDY August 25, 2011 Citadella

 Informal and free discussion  Interrupt anyone anytime

Are you a Christian? Am I a Christian?

1. Must be PERSONALIZED ◦ Because the Christian Faith is not just a set of rules or creeds but is about the Person of Jesus Christ ◦ Because Christ must be personally believed in, received and obeyed by every individual

 Mark 1:1  The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

 Romans 10:9  If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (underlined is SINGULAR)  John 1:12-13  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

2. Must be PRACTICED ◦ Because the Christian Faith is not a religion to be joined in but a relationship to be daily cultivated. ◦ It is to be practiced INSIDE THE CHURCH with other believers and OUTSIDE THE CHURCH with unbelievers

 Colossians 2:6-7  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (underlined portion is PLURAL meaning “all of you”)

 John 13:34 Love one another  Romans 12:10 Honor one another  Romans 15:7 Accept one another  Galatians 5:13 Serve one another  Galatians 6:2Carry each other’s burden  Ephesians 5:21Submit to one another  Colossians 3:13Bear with each other & forgive  1 Thess 5:11Encourage one another  James 5:16Pray for each other

 1 Peter 3:15  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

3. Must be PROCLAIMED ◦ Because the Christian Faith must be passed on from one person to another, from one generation to another, from one people to another.

 Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (underlined portion is in the PLURAL form, meaning addressed to many)

 PERSONALIZED  PRACTICED  PROCLAIMED 

 John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”