Defining Our Faith In a Changing WorldWhat is a Christian?

Bishop H. Ransom Jr.Life Enrichment Bible StudyNew Covenant Church Intl.

Now More Than Ever❖ In these turbulent times it is necessary to make

clear distinctions about our faith.❖ 2 Tim 3: 1-7 ; 16 -17 The Bible states that in the

last days this would be needed❖ Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people

unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Christians❖ The purpose of this study is

to list some things that define us as Christians.

❖ These are characteristics that all Christians should have.

❖ This study is both foundational and a refresher course for those who have been saved for some time.

Disciples were called Christians first in AntiochChristianity 101Being like ChristActs 11:26 - The disciples of Christ were first called Christians as an insult of sorts

They simply refused to let the Name of Jesus die. They talked about Him constantly, preached about Him, and determined to BE LIKE HIM.

Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a Faith, and a Way of LIFE!

What Jesus said about Disciples

❖ Luke 14: 26 - 34❖ John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which

believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

❖ John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

❖ Mt. 10 : 32-39 - Confessing that you belong to Jesus

❖ John 21: 15 - 19 - Actually LOVING JESUS

Getting Saved - Being Saved

❖ Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

❖ Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

❖ Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

❖ Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

❖ Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Discipleship is BEING SAVED!

❖ After one GETS saved one needs to learn how to BE saved. This is a life of purpose in Christ where you begin to BE like the Master.

❖ John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

❖ So being a Christian means living a lifestyle that is truly Christlike in every sense of the word.

A Christian is ...❖ Godly❖ Good❖ Spiritual❖ Giving❖ Productive Person❖ Person of Faith❖ Person of Patience❖ Person of Honor❖ Person of Filled with Peace and Joy

A Christian is a Godly Person

❖ Let's begin our list with the behavior of a Christian. It must be undeniably Godly. We can't get around it. How we behave is paramount to who we are.

❖ Psalm 1 - Portrait of A Godly person❖ 1 Tim. 3:16 - God was manifest❖ Titus 2: 11 -15 - Denying what is ungodly

Communicable Attributes of God

❖ There are some attributes of God that we cannot imitate such as His Nature, (Spiritual and Infinite, Eternal) and His Deity.

❖ Then there are some that we do share with Him:

❖ Holiness❖ Justice❖ Love❖ Truthfulness

God In Christ❖ 1 Tim. 3: 16❖ John 1:4❖ Phil. 2: 5-8❖ Christ is God Incarnate. In Christ, God is:

❖ Visible - Col. 1:15 - 19❖ Comprehended - John 1:18❖ Accessible - John 14: 6 - 7 ; Eph. 2: 18; 1 Tim. 2:5, ❖ Heb. 2: 11-18; Heb. 4:15;

Christ in Us Regeneration - Sanctification -

Justification❖ Col. 1: 26-29 ❖ By His Spirit Jesus Christ transforms believers into the

image of God's character.❖ We call this process sanctification.❖ We call the initial coming to Christ regeneration, and there

are things that happen to a believer immediately to help them to become Christ-like.

❖ 1 Cor. 6:11; Heb. 10:14❖ Justification - 2 Cor. 5:21 ; Rom. 3:24-29; Rom. 4: 1-5, 25❖ Rom. 5:1 , Rom. 6-11; Rom. 18-19

Godliness is...

❖ God's communicable attributes being developed in our lives by the Holy Ghost.

❖ All things become NEW:❖ Our Record - Justification❖ Our Hearts - Regeneration❖ Our Lives - Sanctification

Defining Our Faith In a Changing WorldWhat is a Christian?

Bishop H. Ransom Jr.Life Enrichment Bible StudyNew Covenant Church Intl.

A Christian is a Good Person

❖ Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

❖ Acts 11: 22- 24 Barnabas a man of good character

❖ Matt. 19: 15 -22 Good people do good things❖ Christians don't do good to get saved. They

emulate Jesus who did good. This is because they ARE saved.