Godhead In Jesus

MY FAITH IS NOT CHRISTIANITY (ANYMORE)

“26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26.)

I will never embrace a mindset that makes me believe that I have “arrived” at a state of perfection and complete knowledge regarding my walk in Christ. I will continue to consider myself to be in a continual state of growth in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While I now reject “Christianity” as my religious faith, I do regard myself as a Christian. Who are those disciples mentioned in Acts 11:26? They are all those who walked after and followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. But I have just now come to realize that “Christianity” does not necessarily follow from being a genuine Christian. The prefix “anity” means the state or condition of (being a Christian.)

(Frequently this signifies being a Christian in name only.)

However, I have come to realize just today that the term Christianity carries with it an unexpressed caveat (warning) that cannot be overlooked or condoned. What was the spiritual condition of the believers in the days of the apostles? What did they believe? Were there competing religions such as exist today among Methodists, Episcopalians, Baptists, Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics (Roman and Eastern,) Pentecostals, AME (African Methodist Episcopalian,) etc.?

Significance of Being a Christian

The Christians were first called Christians as an homage to the Son of God, Jesus Christ and through imitating His life and following His teachings. 1 John 4:6 reads:

“6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

And Jesus prayed:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their (apostles) word” (John 17:20.)

“These alone” refers to Jesus’ disciples who became apostles.

What is the appropriate name or label for the faith of the first-century disciples and modern-day believers? I agree with Pastor Gino Jennings of the First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. He chose the name of the faith from Jude 1:20:

“20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

“2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2.)

And 1 Peter 1:16 says:

“16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Holiness Is Lacking Today

“14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14.)

Unlike the first century Christians of Acts 11:26, 21st century believers claim to be Christians without embracing the holiness of scriptures such as:

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5.)

“30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life” (Jeremiah 4:30.)

“9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:9.)

WRAPPING UP

I am a Christian and my faith IS holy. The unscriptural word Christianity carries with it a lot of polluted baggage and DOES NOT reflect Christ. We need to return to the "old paths":

"16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah 6:16.)

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