____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 13, 1997 ____________________________________________________ Arrogating to Ourselves the Name "Christian" by Tom Edwards The term ``arrogate'' means ``to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously; assume or appropriate to oneself without right.'' As I thought of this word, I also thought of it used in connection with those of us who call ourselves ``Christians.'' Naturally, just calling ourselves this is not what truly makes us a child of God; for in so doing, would we find the Lord also recognizing us as being the proper wearers of this name? I write this not to ``shake'' or ``unsettle'' our ``faith,'' but rather to encourage us to make sure that we are actually in the faith and with Jesus Christ in us (2 Cor. 13:5), that we are walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:6,7), and that we really do have the right to be identified by this name ``Christian,'' which was even prophesied in Old Testament times as being that ``new name'' that would be designated by the Lord to His follower (Isa. 62:2). If we are not careful, though, we will not be much more than nominal Christians -- just wearing the name, but not living the life that is to characterize it. As Paul wrote to Titus about some of those of his day, ``They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed'' (Titus 1:16). Our nation of America is said to be a ``Christian nation,'' but by what weights have the scales been able to tip in this direction? Dishonesty, vulgarity, indecency, immorality, alcoholism, illicit drug use, vandalism, theft, jealousy, hatred, murder, and the numerous other sins that make up our nation have definitely sullied this generic, and loosely used, title. In actuality, though there are many good people living in our nation -- as well as in the nations of the world -- only a few of these, relatively speaking, could truly be called ``Christians'' in the Bible sense of the term. It's sad to realize that there are many good, sincere people today who use this name to refer to themselves, yet they have not even submitted to the Lord's plan of salvation, which includes the need to hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17; 1:16), to believe in the deity of Christ (Jn. 8:24), to repent of sins (Acts 2:38), to confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38), and to be baptized in water so sins can be forgiven by the blood of Jesus (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Pet. 3:21). All of this -- and not merely part of it -- is necessary toward becoming a Christian. It's so easy to call ourselves anything: ``I'm a painter''; ``I'm a mechanic''; ``I'm a doctor''; ``I'm a jet pilot''; ``I'm a Spanish teacher''; ``I'm a computer programmer.'' But we realize that it involves more than merely being able to label ourselves with any of these professions that would make us one. Why should we, therefore, feel that we can simply call ourselves ``Christians'' without ever taking the time to examine the Scriptures to see how a Christian is to be in word, in thought, and in conduct? Could we imagine a Spanish teacher who doesn't know Spanish? a jet pilot who doesn't know how to fly? a doctor who doesn't know anything about medicine? True, there is a growing period for the Christian (2 Pet. 3:18). One does not become one, already knowing all there is to know about the Bible. Rather, the recent convert is called a ``babe in Christ'' who needs to feed upon the ``milk of the word'' before he or she is able to assimilate the ``meat'' of the word (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:13,14); but if one is a Christian, then one does know how to teach others to become one, too. Just three times in all the New Testament is this term used (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11:26); and, interestingly, in this latter verse, we learn that the disciples were first called ``Christians'' in Antioch -- even though the church there was made up of Jews and Gentiles. In Christ, there is no racial or gender distinction with regard to salvation and one's standing with God (Gal. 3:28), for the Lord does not favor one race above another, nor one gender above the other. According to Jesus, a ``disciple'' is one who continues in God's word (John 8:31); so, therefore, those who are ``Christians'' are the ones who abide in the Scriptures -- regardless of race, regardless of gender. We know it is not because of ``perfection'' or ``self-worthiness'' that one can wear this God-given name. Jesus would have His followers to think of themselves -- even after having done everything commanded of them -- as being merely ``unworthy slaves,'' who ``have done only that which they ought to have done'' (Luke 17:10). There is certainly no room for any boasting on our part in anything we have done; but we can boast in what Christ has accomplished for us. It was in the cross of the Lord that Paul had made as his boast and as his glory (Gal. 6:14). We are each unworthy. When we, therefore, think of the name Christian, perhaps it would do us well to view this term in two parts: ``Christ'' followed by ``ian.'' Let us view the ``ian'' as standing for the individual who is to follow Christ. It can also be pointed out that though ``Christ'' from ``Christian'' can stand alone, ``ian'' really can't; for ``ian'' is just a suffix, like the suffix ``an,'' which means ``of, pertaining to, having qualities of....'' ``Ian,'' therefore, must attach itself with a word in order to have full meaning. So if we want real meaning in our lives, we need to join ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps, it would even do us well to view the ``ian,'' as one old preacher used to: to him, it stood for ``I ain't nothing.'' Doesn't that about sum up who we are in contrast to Jesus? It is important for us to remember that ``The one who says, `I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him'' (1 Jn. 2:4). Let us, therefore, each truly strive to be Christians in word and in deed, that we may bring glory to God and not reproach upon His holy name -- nor on the name ``Christian'' that we, who are God's people, have been privileged to wear. For it is a name that identifies us with Christ, shows that we belong to Him and have His qualities merging into our lives, so let us continue to show that affiliation by the way in which we live -- lest our lives belie this blood-bought name. ___________________________________________ What I Want for My Daughters by Bryan Gibson Recently, my wife and I were blessed with the birth of a baby girl, Leah May Gibson. We now have two daughters -- Alli is three years old. As any father is likely to do, I've done some thinking about what the future holds for my two daughters. Here are some things I want for my girls; things I believe God wants for them, too. I want my daughters to be beautiful on the inside. It's not that I want them to neglect their outward appearance; it's just that there are some things far more important. I want them to be clothed with ``strength and honor'' (Prov. 31:25), and with a ``meek and quiet spirit'' (1 Pet. 3:3-5). I want them to have the kind of beauty that never fades. In looking through the New Testament I see many qualities I would love for my daughters to have. I want them to be poor in spirit, meek, merciful, compassionate, tenderhearted, forgiving, kind, longsuffering, pure in heart, and patient. I want them to hunger and thirst after righteousness. I want them to mourn when they sin. I want them to learn to rejoice, even in the midst of difficult times. I want them to learn what it means to truly be content. In short, I want them to be like Christ, which should be the goal of every faithful Christian. I want them to marry faithful Christians. I want this, partly, for selfish reasons. I want my daughters to be treated well, and if they marry faithful Christians, they will be. If married to faithful Christians, they will be loved as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25). They will have unselfish husbands (Phil. 2:3-4). They will have husbands who not only tell them they love them, but who show them as well (1 John 3:16-18). But there are other reasons for wanting them to marry faithful Christians. I want them to marry someone with whom they can pray. I want them to marry someone who will want the same things for the children as they do. I want them to marry someone with whom they can be fellow-workers in the kingdom of God, a husband and wife team like that of Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-26; 1 Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16:3,4). I want them to be good wives. Each will need to understand her role of submission in this relationship (Eph. 5:22-24,33). Each will need to look out for the interests of her husband, as well as her own (Phil. 2:3-4). Each will need to show her husband she loves him (1 John 3:18). Each will need to do her husband good as long as she lives (Prov. 31:12). I want them to be good mothers. I want them to see the importance God places on bringing up children (1 Tim. 2:11-15). I want them to be like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, who was very attentive to her children's needs. I want them to be like Hannah, who said of her son Samuel, ``I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life'' (1 Sam. 1:11). I want them to be like Eunice, who taught her son Timothy the Scriptures from childhood (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15). I want them to be ready to do good for others. I want them to be like the virtuous woman who ``extends her hands to the poor...reaches out her hands to the needy'' (Prov. 31:20). I want them to be like Dorcas, who was ``full of good works and charitable deeds'' (Acts 9:36); like Phoebe, who was ``a helper of many'' (Rom. 16:1-2). I want them to be the kind of women who have ``diligently followed every good work'' (1 Tim. 5:10). Finally, I want my daughters (as well as my sons) to go to heaven. If they can do the things mentioned earlier in this article, they will be well on their way. -- Via Guardian of Truth, March 20, 1997 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Bob Buchanon solicits the prayers of the brethren for the family of Bill Eves, who passed away recently. He had been a member of the Eastside Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bob writes, ``...Bill was known and loved by brethren all across the country. He had lived in various parts of Indiana and Minnesota before moving to Bowling Green over a year ago. We grieve with his wife, Susie, and his children: Bill, Nathan, and Christy....'' Philip Strong has reported that ``Linda Fink -- daughter of the late J.T. Alders (long-time elder of the Mound & Starr congregation in Nacogdoches TX) and wife of Dennis Fink (former elder here at Lake Jackson TX and son of Carroll Fink who currently preaches for the Corrigan TX congregation) has within the last month and a half been diagnosed with breast cancer. According to its' pattern, the cancer has also shown up in the bone -- specifically the C1 and C2 vertebrae of her neck....'' Linda expresses that she would like to have "as many people as possible praying" for her. Randy Hoft has posted an update on Yancey Benjamin, the young boy who was involved in the fairly recent car accident: ``...I visited yesterday and he was doing absolutely tremendous. He and my young son were playing sword fights and all kinds of other kid games. His speech seems perfect and he is talking much more. He catches a hackeysack ball like a pro shortstop. It seemed that the old Yancey was completely back, though there still are some effects, of course. His right eyelid still hangs down with some nerve damage, blocking his right-side vision somewhat, but the doctors said it may heal itself. They still were doing hearing tests. His balance is yet a little shaky. But all in all he is doing wonderful. He is looking forward to getting home, where no doubt his recovery will speed up much more...." If you are visiting with us today, we want you to know that we are glad for your presence. Please come again! Write or call for a free Bible course. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ________________________________________