Just A Christian?

“…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26, KJV) Who were these “disciples” who were called “Christians” first in Antioch (of Syria)? Let’s back up and read the text beginning in verse 19.

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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 11:19-26, KJV, emphasis mine, bgg)  

Compare the emphasized text above with John 6:44-45 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” There it is. Those who come to Jesus must hear, learn and come. But hear what and learn what? The “gospel” of course. The “gospel” is a message that must be preached and obeyed. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16, KJV)  

The apostle Paul wrote the following concerning this gospel: “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you–unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (I Corinthians 15:1-5, ESV) On the Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ the apostle Peter preached the crucified, buried and resurrected Christ and, when asked by believing and heart-pricked Jews “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, ESV) Verse 41 states that those who had received the word were baptized and there were added about 3,000 souls.

They heard, learned and came. They became disciples in the fullest meaning of that word. They were born again of an incorruptible seed, the word of God. (I Peter 1:22-23) They became what later came to be called, Christians. Friend, you can be just a Christian; a disciple; a follower of Jesus Christ. We would be delighted to study with you from the Bible, the book of God. We are Christians; just Christians.

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Nondenominational? Really?

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 NKJV)

Denial of affiliation with an organized denomination has become increasingly popular among “Christian” religious groups. Name changes, statements of faith and the various descriptors used to define local churches and separate them from other groups have proliferated in the last few years. The effort to distance oneself from the infighting, confusion, corruption, loss of focus on spiritual things, compromise and division which has become epidemic and may be inherent among denominations, is both understandable and commendable. The Lord’s appeal to “come out from among them and be ye separate…” could apply to more than just idolatrous unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6), but could also apply to religious groups who have lost their way, relying on the doctrines and commandments of men, appealing to the carnal and worldly appetites of men and focusing more on gratification of sensual desires than on simple, pure, sincere and reverent worship of the God of heaven. Although not having an assembled, man-made and written down “Creed Book” such as a “Manual” or “Discipline,” there are many man-made, extra-biblical doctrines, practices and statements (such as “Who Are The churches of Christ?”) which imply some loosely organized grouping of churches into a “nondenominational denomination.” (More on this in a later post.)

Now, you may be saying to yourself at this point: “What’s the point?” It is this: Our “claim” at Garden Ridge Church of Christ is that we are simply a local assembly of blood-bought Christians attempting to serve God and one another, build up a group of people committed to helping each one get to heaven and propagating and defending the “faith once for all delivered…” (Jude 3). We put “Church of Christ” on the sign because we believe that we belong to CHRIST. We could just as well put “the assembly of God at Garden Ridge” or any other Scriptural and meaningful designation. Someone might suggest: There is a denomination called the “Assembly of God.” That’s true, and we certainly wouldn’t want to be associated with any denomination. But the sign alone doesn’t validate the group and it is possible that “church of Christ” has become the name of a de facto denomination. How could you tell about Garden Ridge Church of Christ? Come and visit with us. Talk to us. Study with us. Worship with us. See for yourself.