It seems odd that additional labels
need to be added to the term “Christian” when someone identifies themselves as
such. “I’m a Baptist, I’m a Calvinist, I’m a Seventh Day Adventist etc., etc.
This really is a simple matter. Either one is a Christian or one is not. Jesus taught
the disciples and the disciples, in turn, taught those things to the first
century Church. That teaching has been handed down to each subsequent
generation even to this day.
One either believes the apostolic
faith or he does not. The need for additional labels comes from the confusion
that has been introduced over the centuries as groups of men tried to redefine
the apostolic faith while trying to retain the label Christian for themselves.
The church addressed men such as
this in the seven ecumenical councils. In these they minced no words. The
church fathers pointedly defined the Christian faith on various points in the first
800 years of church history. They said, “if you do not believe these things,
then you are not part of the body of Christ.” Everyone is so concerned about
inclusivity and being nice, that they are afraid to use the term anathema or
heresy in identifying those who seek to change the apostolic faith.
One either believes and practices
what Jesus taught the apostles or one does not.
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