StewardoftheMystery
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I wrote this thread in another forum several years ago, but the message still rings true today. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings.
Many claim to be “Christians”, but yet they do not "follow the teachings" of Jesus Christ.
The word “Christian” by definition is "a follower of Jesus Christ", which means a follower of Jesus Christs "teachings". Notice the word Christian in 1 Peter 4:16…
Yet G1161 if G1487 any man suffer as G5613 a Christian, G5546 let him G153 G0 not G3361 be ashamed; G153 but G1161 let him glorify G1392 God G2316 on G1722 this G5129 behalf. G3313
The word Christian G5546 is defined as Χριστιανός Christianós, khris-tee-an-os'; from G5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:—Christian.
But many who proclaim themselves to be “Christians” are not really “followers” of Jesus Christ's teachings. As a matter of fact ,many of them proclaim Jesus’ teachings and sayings were not for them to follow; but only for the Jews; as some like M.A.D. doctrines teach. And they also go on to teach that Jesus and the other Apostles before Paul taught a works based gospel message for salvation. And they also claim that it was not until Paul became a Christian that the body of Christ (the Church) first began, and that the true message of grace first began being taught by Paul alone. This is also another reason they give in order to reject Jesus Christs teachings, sayings, and commands as for them "to follow".
But there is also another movement called “hyper grace” which is spin off of Universalism and of the same false grace message, which includes the early beliefs of “Antinomianism.” Here is what one of their cult leaders Joseph Prince teaches about "following" Jesus Christ’s DOCTRINE= teachings, sayings, and commands… Joseph Prince is quoted as saying “21- We can’t take doctrine from the gospels because Jesus had not yet risen from the dead yet.”
Now I have even heard some of the followers of this false gospel message say, even the words and teachings of Jesus Christ are not a part of the New Testament. Anything before the cross is considered “Old Testament” to them; even though Jesus Christ was the messenger of the New Testament. So in effect they disregard the very words of Jesus Christ and His doctrine, and even in some cases they reject all OT scripture and that of all the other apostles, (with the exception of Paul), as being “legalism” or “works based” salvationism.
And so by disregarding, and by not keeping the doctrine, teachings, commands, words, and sayings of Jesus Christ, they are in Truth not really “followers” of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Therefore by definition they are not truly “Christians”; but are just followers of "the doctrines of men," like this Joseph Prince.
By not following Jesus’ doctrine, even by their own confession, proves they are not truly “followers” of Jesus Christ and His teachings. To "follow" Jesus Christ and his teachings, commands, and sayings is an action word, as "to follow" and "to keep", and "to do" God’s will, and "to obey" as is an act of the obedience of the faith, by being a righteous servant of Jesus Christ. Jesus says to "follow me", "to do" the will of His Father, "to keep" His words, commandments, and sayings. This is repeated over and over again by the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and "follow me".
Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he "that doeth" the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, "keep it", and bring forth fruit with patience.”
Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and "keep it".
John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will "keep my words": and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
John 14:24 “He that loveth me not "keepeth not my sayings": and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
1 John 2:5 “But whoso "keepeth his word", in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
John 14:15 “If ye love me, "keep my commandments.”
John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and "keepeth them", he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
John 15:10 “If ye "keep" my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
John 8:51 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man "keep my saying", he shall never see death.”
John 8:52 “Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man "keep my saying", he shall never taste of death.”
John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have "kept my saying", they will keep yours also.
Jesus also kept the sayings of the Father...
John 8:55 “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and "keep his saying."
It is written in 2 John 9-11"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in "the doctrine of Christ", hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not "this doctrine", receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
Beware of these cult followings and doctrines of men which exclude the teachings of Jesus Christ. These
cults are not "Christian" by definition, not being "followers" of the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Christ Jesus.
Be a follower of Jesus Christ. Peace and God bless
Many claim to be “Christians”, but yet they do not "follow the teachings" of Jesus Christ.
The word “Christian” by definition is "a follower of Jesus Christ", which means a follower of Jesus Christs "teachings". Notice the word Christian in 1 Peter 4:16…
Yet G1161 if G1487 any man suffer as G5613 a Christian, G5546 let him G153 G0 not G3361 be ashamed; G153 but G1161 let him glorify G1392 God G2316 on G1722 this G5129 behalf. G3313
The word Christian G5546 is defined as Χριστιανός Christianós, khris-tee-an-os'; from G5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:—Christian.
But many who proclaim themselves to be “Christians” are not really “followers” of Jesus Christ's teachings. As a matter of fact ,many of them proclaim Jesus’ teachings and sayings were not for them to follow; but only for the Jews; as some like M.A.D. doctrines teach. And they also go on to teach that Jesus and the other Apostles before Paul taught a works based gospel message for salvation. And they also claim that it was not until Paul became a Christian that the body of Christ (the Church) first began, and that the true message of grace first began being taught by Paul alone. This is also another reason they give in order to reject Jesus Christs teachings, sayings, and commands as for them "to follow".
But there is also another movement called “hyper grace” which is spin off of Universalism and of the same false grace message, which includes the early beliefs of “Antinomianism.” Here is what one of their cult leaders Joseph Prince teaches about "following" Jesus Christ’s DOCTRINE= teachings, sayings, and commands… Joseph Prince is quoted as saying “21- We can’t take doctrine from the gospels because Jesus had not yet risen from the dead yet.”
Now I have even heard some of the followers of this false gospel message say, even the words and teachings of Jesus Christ are not a part of the New Testament. Anything before the cross is considered “Old Testament” to them; even though Jesus Christ was the messenger of the New Testament. So in effect they disregard the very words of Jesus Christ and His doctrine, and even in some cases they reject all OT scripture and that of all the other apostles, (with the exception of Paul), as being “legalism” or “works based” salvationism.
And so by disregarding, and by not keeping the doctrine, teachings, commands, words, and sayings of Jesus Christ, they are in Truth not really “followers” of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Therefore by definition they are not truly “Christians”; but are just followers of "the doctrines of men," like this Joseph Prince.
By not following Jesus’ doctrine, even by their own confession, proves they are not truly “followers” of Jesus Christ and His teachings. To "follow" Jesus Christ and his teachings, commands, and sayings is an action word, as "to follow" and "to keep", and "to do" God’s will, and "to obey" as is an act of the obedience of the faith, by being a righteous servant of Jesus Christ. Jesus says to "follow me", "to do" the will of His Father, "to keep" His words, commandments, and sayings. This is repeated over and over again by the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and "follow me".
Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he "that doeth" the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, "keep it", and bring forth fruit with patience.”
Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and "keep it".
John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will "keep my words": and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
John 14:24 “He that loveth me not "keepeth not my sayings": and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
1 John 2:5 “But whoso "keepeth his word", in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
John 14:15 “If ye love me, "keep my commandments.”
John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and "keepeth them", he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
John 15:10 “If ye "keep" my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
John 8:51 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man "keep my saying", he shall never see death.”
John 8:52 “Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man "keep my saying", he shall never taste of death.”
John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have "kept my saying", they will keep yours also.
Jesus also kept the sayings of the Father...
John 8:55 “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and "keep his saying."
It is written in 2 John 9-11"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in "the doctrine of Christ", hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not "this doctrine", receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
Beware of these cult followings and doctrines of men which exclude the teachings of Jesus Christ. These
cults are not "Christian" by definition, not being "followers" of the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Christ Jesus.
Be a follower of Jesus Christ. Peace and God bless
