Christian Living

Christians was the name given to a group  of believers converted under Barnabas and  Paul’s preaching at Antioch in Turkey (Acts 11:26) at the start of the New Testament church. The Christian beliefs are based on salvation through faith in Christ, an eternal dwelling place with God cannot be earned through our own efforts, it is based on:

· A Belief in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross

· Repentance of sins through the Blood of Jesus 

· Baptism in water

The Bible

Christianity is based on teachings in the Bible. This is the absolute authority for religious beliefs and practises. The Old Testament was before Jesus came, this was religion based on the law, we live in New Testament times. This did not erase the teachings in the Old Testament, Jesus said, “I did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfil the law”, The ten commandments still apply today, Jesus’ death on the cross gives us grace to fulfil them,  replaced with Jesus’ teaching “If you love me you will keep my commandments”. The Old Testament teachings are run through the cross, they become either replaced, revised or deleted in the New testament. The practise of animal sacrifices are no longer required, this practise was replaced, Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins on the cross, once and for all. 

Charismatic Renewal

In Britain, the Charismatic renewal led to more 'Holy spirit led' denominations being formed, which were closer to teachings in the book of Acts. It spread through some of the traditional churches, the gifts of the Holy spirit came into operation which created church splits, as some members wanted to keep to traditions, while others wanted more spiritual renewal. Certain denominations accommodate both: a traditional service in the morning with a more spiritual service in the evening.

Beliefs and Practises

Unlike most religions, Christians have a firm belief in the Trinity:  The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the three cannot be separated. Communion is practised in most Christian denominations. Bread and wine are symbols of Christ’s death on the cross, unlike the Catholic Church, they are taken in an act of remembrance,  just as Jesus had instructed  the disciples at the last supper, “Do this in remembrance of me”. (1 Corinthians 11:14)

The Reformation

In 1517, Martin Luther was a key person in the reformation who rejected the authority of the Pope and protested against policies of the Catholic Church. Eventually he left with a following, the ‘Protestant Reformation’. This led to many people reading and interpreting the Bible for themselves. Other key men of the reformation are:

· John Calvin - Founder of the Calvinist movement 1563 and rejected the Pope's authority 

· John Knox –  Founder of the Scotch Presbyterian church in 1560

· John Wesley – Founder of the Methodist movement in 1944.

The Roman Catholic Church took a firm stand against the new reformers, it termed them  ‘Heretics’. Many were murdered or burned for their faith in Protestant religion. Protestant doctrine is centred on the worship of Jesus. Prayers are directed towards God (the Father), through Jesus Christ (the Son) who acts as our mediator. 

Protestant Denominations

There is one faith, one trinity and one Bible. Because of different and contradictory beliefs and practises among Christians, this led to different denominations:

· Baptist

· The Salvation Army

· Brethren

· Charismatic Movement (Pentecostal, Elim, Apostolic)

· Church of Scotland & Church of England 

· Episcopal

· Lutherans

· Presbyterian

· United Reformed Presbyterian

· Quakers

· Methodists

· Anglican

Although beliefs and practises vary in some Protestant denominations, most agree on the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

· Virgin birth

· Death & Resurrection of Jesus

· The Trinity

· Authority of the Bible

· God’s plan of salvation

· The Second Coming of Christ

 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the LORD. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

God designed the Church as a place of fellowship and worship. This is a community of those who share the Christian faith. The Church helps us to grow spiritually in our walk with Christ. At least once a week, Christians gather for fellowship to study and hear the Word of God. The church is an establishment and a movement, not a building or a denomination. The church is made of people across the world who believe and practise the Christian faith. Being part of a Church plays a major role in the Christian life. Spending timing with other people in the church is essential. We are taught in the Bible to strengthen and encourage one another through fellowship. 

“For as iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend”  (Proverbs 27:17)

The Fellowship of Believers

The New Testament Church was formed in the book of Acts.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40-47)

The Body of Christ

Just as our physical body is made up of different parts: the spine, hands, legs, ears and eyes, the body of Christ is made up of different parts. Each person has an important part within the body of Christ. Each part is essential for the church to function and grow. 

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. (1 Cor 12:12-14)
 

Christians Isolated from the Church

If a Christian becomes isolated from the church it is spiritually dangerous. We become more vulnerable to spiritual attacks. Especially in these last days, as the Bible warns us of increased religious deception and persecution before Christ returns. Like a loose sheep away from the flock, it is easier to be devoured by the wolves, there is safety in numbers!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

God never intended that we live the Christian life away from other Christians and the church. Being isolated from church is one of the devil’s oldest strategies. He will cause division that leads to isolation and eventually he will move in for the kill.  Not long after being Isolated comes a spiritual coldness and eventually falling away from the faith, even though we can still believe in God. The church should be seen as a blessing rather than a duty or inconvenience. There are many reasons why a Christian can isolate themselves from the church. We are all prone to wander. In certain cases it could be: 

· Sin and temptation

· Offence

· Illness

· Deception

· Disappoint or disillusionment

· Relationship problems

Isolation or the lack of fellowship with others can lead to depression, we will also become easier influenced by the world, its morals and behaviour. Surround yourself with true Christians who support and inspire you, so you can also support and inspire others. Being part of a church or fellowship is not always what you can get from it, but what you can bring to it. 

Water Baptism is when someone is fully immersed in water after repenting and deciding to follow Jesus in the Christian life. It is a powerful spiritual declaration that you intend to follow Christ instead of following the ways of the world. Water baptism played a major part and an important role in the New Testament church.

"Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12).

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ!

Cleansing: Water signifies washing away of  the former life and sins.

Resurrection: Coming up from the water is symbolic of a new life in Jesus.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4)

Water baptism is a demonstration of our obedience to Christ. Jesus commanded that we be baptised with water in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus Himself was baptised at the beginning of His ministry.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:9-11)

Water Baptism is Symbolic of Repentance!

Water baptism is an important action after becoming a Christian, it is a sign of repentance and obedience. A personal acknowledgment of faith in Jesus is the only requirement for being baptised. After we receive Jesus Christ by faith, we take part in His death, His burial and His resurrection!

Baptism signifies:

Repentance -       This is not a feeling it is an action!

Obedience -         Obedient to what God commands 

Deliverance -        From your former lifestyle

Renewal -              To a new life in Jesus!

Jesus was fully immersed under water, verse 10 tells us ‘he came up out of the water’. God responded to His actions and the Holy Spirit came upon Him as a dove. Jesus gave his reason for being baptised in water in verse 15. Although Jesus, being perfect and sinless, did not need to repent, he acted as an example to show us the way.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13-17)

In the New Testament, when people are mentioned as repenting, their baptism is also mentioned:

Acts 2:41, at Pentecost, 3,000 were baptised 

Acts 8:12-16, new believers in Samaria were baptised

Acts 8:26-40, the Ethiopian eunuch was baptised  

Acts 9:18, Paul was baptised by Ananias
Acts 10:24-48, Cornelius and his friends were baptised 

Acts 16:15, believers in Philippi were baptised

Acts 18:8, believers in Corinth were baptised 

Acts 19:3-5, Paul baptised followers of John the Baptist
Acts 19:4-5, the Philippian jailer was baptised 

Baptism can take place in the Church, swimming pool, lake, river or a household bath. A person’s whole body needs to be submerged under water. The River Jordan is an unclean river and where many people in the New Testament were baptised. It is not water that makes a person holy, it is leaving behind the old nature.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19)

A Pastor or a mature Christian who have been baptised themselves can perform baptisms. If you are part of a church, which to follow the Christian faith is essential, then your church should recommend baptism in water and organise it for you. This is the full immersion in water, not infant baptism as some traditional churches practise. To be repentant of your sins you have to be of an age to be aware of what sin is. 

Two practises which Christ gave to the church are water baptism and taking communion, referred to as ‘The Lord’s Supper’. This is to take bread and wine. Bread represents Christ’s broken body, and wine represents the Blood of Christ shed at the cross. This was practised by Jesus and His disciples the night before His death, also referred to as the Last supper and is recorded in all four of the gospels; Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23 and John 13:21-30 it is  also mentionedbeing practised in the Corinthian Church.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor 11:23-26)

During the Supper, Jesus took the bread and then gave thanks to God. As He broke the bread and handed it to the disciples He said, “‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. ’In the same way, He took the cup and said ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’". (Luke 22:19-21.) The Last Supper was concluded with a hymn (Matthew 26:30). 

The New Covenant that Jesus mentions replaces the sacrificing of a lamb that was used under the Old Covenant for the forgiveness of sin. It was terminated as Jesus fulfilled this at the cross, he became a once-and for-all sacrifice as the Lamb of God (Hebrews 8:8-13). It is through the new covenant that we receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life. With the practise of the Lord's Supper, the Blood of Christ and His broken body are remembered. After the last supper, Jesus and the disciples went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was there, just as Jesus had predicted earlier, thathe was betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot. The following day Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified.

When the bread is broken, it represents the brokenness of Christ’s body due to the flogging He received before going to the cross. Wine is the symbol of the blood that Jesus shed for our sin the following day. This fulfilled many of the old testament prophecies. A minister, a pastor or leader breaks and blesses the bread and offers it to those gathered. They will take the wine, pray over it and offer it to those gathered. 

Although this is a time to reflect on the Lord’s death and His resurrection, it is also a time to reflect on His victory over death and sin and the future victory on His return.

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Any Christian can take part in The Lord’s supper, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. It is not only a time of reflection for believers, but a time for self-examination and confession of sin. Paul instructs us to examine ourselves beforehand.

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. (1 Cor 11:27-28)

Taking the bread and wine in an unworthy manner could mean having a disregard for the true meaning of the Lord’s supper and the price paid by Christ for our salvation, or it could be this is just a ritual ceremony performed by some, or having an unrepentant heart and ignoring unconfessed sin. 

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the LORD in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the LORD. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)

Communion can bring healing spiritually, emotionally and physically and is powerful part of spiritual warfare. It can  also connected to a believer's sickness. Paul mentions in his letter to the Corinthians, believers who had brought judgement on themselves, which he mentions as the reason why weakness and sickness were amongst some of them.

The Lord’s Supper is something we should observe and practise regularly. It is part of our communion with Christ. During Communion, we remember, focus and mediate on the death and resurrection of Christ. “Do this in remembrance of me” (verse 24)