If you are a Christian who prefers to stick with definitions which are found in the Bible when explaining your faith to others, try doing this sometime. Ask the spiritual leader at your church, "Is it fine if I never use our denominational label, but instead only identify myself as a 'Christian' when talking to others about my faith?" The answer you are given will tell you a lot about the amount of spiritual freedom in your congregation.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor. 3:17) In the Bible, those who are born again through faith in Christ are defined with words such as: "believer," "Christian," "disciple," "saint," "brothers," "sisters," and "the church." These are some of the designations God chose to use in His Word when defining you as a follower of Christ. There are plenty of other descriptors which get used by Christians that are man-made and are not listed in the Bible.
It is not a sin to use some man-made words to define yourself and your spiritual beliefs and practices. You have the freedom as a believer to use such words if you so desire. There are plenty of born again people who in good conscience say things such as, "I am a Baptist," or "I am a Catholic," or "I am a Pentecostal," or "I am a Calvinist." This can certainly be done in a way that does not cause offense or too much division within the body of Christ.
But having the freedom to use such definitions is a very different thing than feeling the pressure to use them. Are you in a church that would frown upon your choice to always use "Christian" or "believer" rather than your denominational moniker? Are you concerned that a denominational label often gets in the way of the Gospel being presented without unnecessary clutter? If so, you are one of millions of believers around the world who feel the same way you do on this issue.
All denominational labels carry baggage. Many times there is some good baggage. Other times there is less desirable baggage. The less desirable baggage may be related to people who use that label to teach doctrines or promote behavior which do not reflect biblical Christianity. In any case, the label will often muddy the water and confuse the person you are trying to reach for Christ. Hence, you are reluctant to use a definition which is not found in the Bible and might easily be misunderstood. It could easily overshadow the real message you are wanting to share.
As Christians, is our message about a denomination….or a Person? Is it about having someone subscribe to all the doctrinal distinctions of one particular denomination….or is it about a person committing his or her life to following Christ even if they do not agree 100% with every secondary doctrine of one denomination? Are you more interested in building your "brand," or more interested in making disciples who are free in the Lord to make plenty of personal decisions such as these according to their own conscience and their understanding of Scripture? Read more
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