Pure, New Testament Christianity

Luke wrote, "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch"  [Acts 11:26]. Disciples of Christ in the first century identified themselves as "Christians." These Christians wore no denominational names, nor did they follow denominational doctrines. Rather they were simply Christians, members of the church that Jesus built [Matthew 16:13-19]. They practiced pure, New Testament Christianity. Surely, that should be our desire today.
Here are some basic Bible facts which will help us practice pure, New Testament Christianity:
  • The book of Acts is designed to reveal how to become a Christian [read Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18:8, and 22:16].
  • Following only the New Testament will not lead one into a denomination, but into the Lord's church [read Acts 2:38, 41, and 47; Colossians 3:15; 1:13].
  • Followers of Christ in the first century were called Christians [read Acts 11:26, 26;28; I Peter 4:16]. They never identified themselves by using denominational or sectarian names.
  • Jesus built His church, but He did not build any of the various denominations that exist today [read Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 2:38, 41, and 47; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:16, 5:25, 5:23].
  • It is possible to be a member of the same church which Peter, James, John, and Paul were members, without ever joining a denomination [read Acts 2:38, 41, and 47].
  • In the first century, there was only one church [read Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23, 2:16].
  • No one can read the New Testament and find in it how to become a member of a denomination. The New Testament teaches us how to become a Christian [Acts 11:26].
I believe that many people are weary of the division caused by denominationalism. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no religious division?... If all believers were united? Such unity is attainable, but only when we appeal to God's Word as the final authority in all religious matters.

- Mark Lindley

From a paid advertisement in The Tribune-Times, March 15, 2006

Uploaded February 8, 2007

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