Study3....A Christian is one who is prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, if necessary. This suffering, as we have seen, is described in detail by Peter.
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Study3: Christian
1peter4:12-19
. First, "Christian" was not so much a name that they chose as a name that was applied to them (they "were called Christians"). This is consistent with our observation that it was a term placed upon them by hostile critics. Second, it was a term that was placed on "the disciples." This helps us to establish the meaning of the term: A Christian is a disciple, a follower of Christ, one who clings to the gospel . Furthermore, a Christian is one who is prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, if necessary. This suffering, as we have seen, is described in detail by Peter. It entails a life patterned after the life and death of Jesus, a life of service to God and others. This is the Scriptural picture of what a Christian is...
Let consider the two points
1 .A Christian is someone who WITNESSES FOR CHRIST (Acts 26 :28 )
Here Paul is making his defence before King Agrippa, and notice that he is also pleading for the soul of this man. He is witnessing to him of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ who has saved and satisfied him. If you and I were arrested and in danger of death, and were given an opportunity to speak, what would concern us most –- our defence, or evangelism? Read verses 27-29, and notice that this was not just an odd occasion when Paul burst out in a passionate appeal for the salvation of the soul of some man or woman. Wherever he was he was seeking to win others. In Acts 9:20 we read that after his conversion and open confession of the Lord, “”at once”” he began to preach the Lord Jesus; and all through his life, whatever situation he was in, he was making known the gospel of the grace of God. Nor was Paul unique in this ministry of evangelism. The early Christians were all characterised by the same soul-winning zeal. Compare Acts 1:8 with Acts 8:4. These first followers of the Lord Jesus were bold, witnessing Christians, and surely this is the second mark of a real Christian – someone who not only belongs to Christ but who witnesses for Him. Why is it that we are so slow, so reluctant, to speak for the Lord and to set out to win others? The early Christians had to face much opposition, but they did it joyfully (Acts 5:41). Is it true to say we lack a deep, burning conviction of the greatness and the reality of our salvation? – but what thrilling surprises we would get if we would really step out in faith and witness boldly for the Lord!
2. A Christian is someone who SUFFERS WITH CHRIST (1 Peter 4 : 16 )
Verses 12-16 make very helpful reading, and Peter is in effect saying, ‘’Now you are a Christian you must expect suffering, simply because you are a Christian’’. You see, a Christian is identified with the Lord Jesus Christ and must therefore suffer for His sake. Look up and compare Matthew 10:22-25; John 15:18-21; John 16:33 and Philippians 1:29. Why is it that a Christian must suffer? It is because he is markedly different from the non-Christian. The early Christians suffered because they were so completely different from the pagans around them. They were completely transformed men and women. They had to be one thing or the other. The trouble is we do not like being different, and many of us are Christians in name only, and the people we work with and live with would hardly recognise that there is any difference between us and those who do not profess to be the Lord’’s people. What a challenge this is! We must recognise the fact that when anyone really dedicates his all to Christ and begins to live a separated life, that he will adopt the Lord’’s standards in every area of his life. It may mean suffering the taunts and scoffing of the world, or even worse, the threat to our very life if we are prepared to be identified with Christ. But remember that it was Christ Himself who suffered scoffing and the threat of stoning and death itself for us. So, a Christian is someone who belongs to Christ, who witnesses for Christ, and who suffers with Christ. Are you a Christian?
What kind of a Christian are you?
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
Motto:Charity,Holiness and power...
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater
Study3: Christian
1peter4:12-19
. First, "Christian" was not so much a name that they chose as a name that was applied to them (they "were called Christians"). This is consistent with our observation that it was a term placed upon them by hostile critics. Second, it was a term that was placed on "the disciples." This helps us to establish the meaning of the term: A Christian is a disciple, a follower of Christ, one who clings to the gospel . Furthermore, a Christian is one who is prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, if necessary. This suffering, as we have seen, is described in detail by Peter. It entails a life patterned after the life and death of Jesus, a life of service to God and others. This is the Scriptural picture of what a Christian is...
Let consider the two points
1 .A Christian is someone who WITNESSES FOR CHRIST (Acts 26 :28 )
Here Paul is making his defence before King Agrippa, and notice that he is also pleading for the soul of this man. He is witnessing to him of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ who has saved and satisfied him. If you and I were arrested and in danger of death, and were given an opportunity to speak, what would concern us most –- our defence, or evangelism? Read verses 27-29, and notice that this was not just an odd occasion when Paul burst out in a passionate appeal for the salvation of the soul of some man or woman. Wherever he was he was seeking to win others. In Acts 9:20 we read that after his conversion and open confession of the Lord, “”at once”” he began to preach the Lord Jesus; and all through his life, whatever situation he was in, he was making known the gospel of the grace of God. Nor was Paul unique in this ministry of evangelism. The early Christians were all characterised by the same soul-winning zeal. Compare Acts 1:8 with Acts 8:4. These first followers of the Lord Jesus were bold, witnessing Christians, and surely this is the second mark of a real Christian – someone who not only belongs to Christ but who witnesses for Him. Why is it that we are so slow, so reluctant, to speak for the Lord and to set out to win others? The early Christians had to face much opposition, but they did it joyfully (Acts 5:41). Is it true to say we lack a deep, burning conviction of the greatness and the reality of our salvation? – but what thrilling surprises we would get if we would really step out in faith and witness boldly for the Lord!
2. A Christian is someone who SUFFERS WITH CHRIST (1 Peter 4 : 16 )
Verses 12-16 make very helpful reading, and Peter is in effect saying, ‘’Now you are a Christian you must expect suffering, simply because you are a Christian’’. You see, a Christian is identified with the Lord Jesus Christ and must therefore suffer for His sake. Look up and compare Matthew 10:22-25; John 15:18-21; John 16:33 and Philippians 1:29. Why is it that a Christian must suffer? It is because he is markedly different from the non-Christian. The early Christians suffered because they were so completely different from the pagans around them. They were completely transformed men and women. They had to be one thing or the other. The trouble is we do not like being different, and many of us are Christians in name only, and the people we work with and live with would hardly recognise that there is any difference between us and those who do not profess to be the Lord’’s people. What a challenge this is! We must recognise the fact that when anyone really dedicates his all to Christ and begins to live a separated life, that he will adopt the Lord’’s standards in every area of his life. It may mean suffering the taunts and scoffing of the world, or even worse, the threat to our very life if we are prepared to be identified with Christ. But remember that it was Christ Himself who suffered scoffing and the threat of stoning and death itself for us. So, a Christian is someone who belongs to Christ, who witnesses for Christ, and who suffers with Christ. Are you a Christian?
What kind of a Christian are you?
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
Motto:Charity,Holiness and power...
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater
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