Today,
reply is on the use of “Christians” as a name for the followers
of Jesus Christ who are his church and the
new creation. Jesus began to
proclaim the doctrines and teachings that were the foundation for his
church by reading aloud from the Scriptures each Sabbath during
worship within a synagogue that endorsed the Covenant of Moses. Even
so, the foundation and rock whereon the church, and a new covenant
for Israel, would come to rest would be the blood of Jesus, and his
believers having consciousness and sacred
knowledge through fresh
endowments of spirit substance imparted from the makeup of GOD. The
full gospel and revelation through Jesus Christ addresses all mankind
in every age, from Adam to the saints who will meet Christ in the air
at his Advent (we also say, his appearing; the harvest; the Rapture;
the Second Coming). It is written: Ephesians 2: 11-22, King James
Version (KJV): 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being
in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by
that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ
Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between
us; 15 Having abolished in
his flesh the enmity, even
the law of commandments contained
in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so
making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one
body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and
preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were
nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an
holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for
an habitation of God through the Spirit. A fighter in the “Yahoo!
Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID
“Stevan” (Level 1 with 16 points) posted the following:
Why
are Christians called christians if the worship the jewish god. Why
arent they just called jews?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: God that made the world and all things therein, seeing
that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made
with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s
hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life,
and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations
of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and
find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we
live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets
have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are
the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like
unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s
device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed
a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that
man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance
unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts
17: 24-31, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: No Wall of Partition (07/05/2019); Christians Are
Following Jesus (01/24/2019); The Household Of Cornelius
(05/17/2018); One Root, One Harvest (11/12/2017); Does GOD Hate Jews?
(10/03/2016); Academic Language? (12/10/2015); On Cults (08/30/2012);
A House of gods? (08/31/2012)
“Stevan”,
here are a few points you may find helpful: The goal of every
Christian should be to display the image of GOD, and to be
Christ-like as the offspring and joint-heirs of GOD with Jesus
Christ. Jesus began his ministry as a rabbi and an itinerant
preacher who traveled from place to place within Canaan (i.e., the
land then under Roman rule that was occupied through Moses and Joshua
as the inheritance of the 12 tribes of Jacob; the Promised Land;
Israel as the United Kingdom). This included Samaria where Jesus
grew up (also called the ten tribes; Israel; the Northern Kingdom)
and Juda (also called the 2 tribes; Judea; the Southern Kingdom). In
addition to teaching “the law and the prophets,” Jesus also
healed those with disability and sickness (e.g., blindness, fever,
paralysis), cast out unclean spirits (exorcisms), and performed
miracles. At first, the apostles were used as advance men to
announce the coming of Jesus, and to prepare a community to receive
his ministry. Because of sacred law, custom, and tradition, those
sent by Jesus were not to serve among people outside the covenant of
Moses (Gentiles). Later, still before his death on the cross, the
church founded by Jesus Christ would be built up and continue to
increase through evangelism and outreach ministries by his apostles
and disciples. Approaching the time of Jesus dying on the cross,
development of the church and its operations became centered within
the Temple in Jerusalem of Judea. The Pharisees and Sadducees who
led the Temple community regarded Jesus and his followers as
outsiders and a dangerous cult. After the death of Jesus his
disciples were first called “Christians” (Little Christs) to mock
them the way some might say, Little Clones, Little Copy-cats, Little
Wannabes. Consider the following that use language from the Bible,
and a presentation from the music ministry of Marty Goetz:
1.
Matthew 10: 5-8, King James Version (KJV): 5 These twelve Jesus
sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the
Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye
go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye
have received, freely give.
2.
Acts 11: 19-22, KJV: 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. 20 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. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great
number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 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.
3.
Acts 11: 25-27, KJV: 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to
seek Saul: 26 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. 27 And in these days came
prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
4.
Romans 3: 29, KJV: 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is
he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended (for example, 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0du_eT0MigM.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be
useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
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THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
