Why I do not refer to myself or my faith with the label ‘Christian’.

It is strange how the minute you challenge this labelling that  most automatically assume that you must surely reject parts of the New Testament. Well, this is certainly untrue. I believe the Words contained in all 66 Books of Scripture – The Bible.

I only prefer not to be labelled as a ‘Christian’ as I embrace a different set of understanding of Scripture to that of the mainstream religion of Christianity.

Our Messiah Yahushua taught a message and interpretation of Scripture that was almost totally rejected in His day. He stood virtually alone. We must not repeat this same error.

mIf I must accept any label then I consider myself a Messianic Yisra’elite (Israelite). 

Please hear what Y’Shua’s words imply in the following verses:

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matthew 15:3

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:8-9

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:7-9

The religion of mainstream ‘Christianity’ has for the best part of two thousand years now replaced the Word of the Almighty with the ‘Traditions of men’ i.e. the interpretations and teachings of theologians.

The Christain Church rejects the Biblical Feast days and Sabbaths and has replaced them with the ‘traditions of men’ e.g. Christmas. Easter, Lent, Sunday Sabbath etc

It is for this reason that I do not embrace the label of being called a ‘Christain’. If I stand alone because of this then so be it. But please read on to understand what the term Christian actually means and where the term originated.

More reasons why I reject the label ‘Christian’:

If being a Christian means accepting and believing the following, as most Christians do, then I can not identify with the label of being a  ‘Christian’:

◊ Our Messiah has changed his divinely appointed name from a meaningful Hebrew title to a Greek meaningless one i.e. Jesus ◊

◊ There are thousands of ‘church’ styles, types and doctrines to satisfy my desires. Not one called out ‘ecclesia’ (Greek Ekklēsia,’gathering of those summoned’) as mentioned in Scripture.◊

◊ Paul’s teachings are regarded as more significant than James – the brother of our Messiah and leader of the first body of believers following Yahushua’s departure. ◊ 

◊ My Priest/Pastor is my leader/teacher. I listen to him – the one who has the ‘calling’ and authority. Even though the Scripture states that the Spirit is our teacher/guide – John 14:26, John 16:13 ◊

◊ I can now, as believers, freely eat pork and any other ‘Biblically’ unclean foods such as shellfish etc. ◊

◊ Changing our lifestyle and removing ‘leaven’ from our life/house is no longer a requirement ◊ 

◊ All our sins – past, present and future, are automatically forgiven and unseen by God. ◊

◊ Jesus has done everything for us. We can now just ‘believe’, relax and carry on. Picking up our cross and following him is just optional. ◊

◊ That the commanded 7^th day Sabbath is now obsolete or only for the Jews ◊

◊ ‘Holy’ days have now become non-Biblical, pagan rooted, traditions of men  e.g. Christmas, Easter and Lent ◊

◊ I reverence and display a symbol of torture and death i.e. the cross and believe that the Menorah is ‘Jewish’. ◊ 

◊ All non-believers in Jesus will be tormented in an eternal fire i.e. a place called Hell ◊

◊ Our Heavenly Father is a ‘three in one’ trinity and not ‘One’ as He states in Deuteronomy 6:4 ◊

◊ Jesus is ‘God’ who came to earth in a flesh suit as a man to die for us ◊ 

◊ Our Heavenly Father has changed His rigid approach and ways since the obsolete ‘Old Testament’. Even though He states that He does not change his mind – Numbers 23:19, James 1:17. ◊ 

◊ Believing that Mary became impregnated with a supernatural seed without the involvement of a man (Joseph) – as would be according to the creation pattern/design. ◊

◊ We ignore the critical Biblical requirement to ‘overcome’ the trappings of the ‘flesh’ and resist this world with all of its carnal attractions. ◊ 

◊ We must mimic secular music, films and other activities and produce our own equivalent for the Kingdom – with a more Christian flavour. This we call ‘worship’ music ◊

◊ We must praise ‘God’ when our favourite sports team scores points while playing on the Sabbath. ◊

◊ ‘Worship’ is when you raise your arms in the air and sing along to ‘rock’ music as a replacement for ‘obedience’ as portrayed by Abraham in the book of Genesis chapter 22. ◊

◊ All of my evil deeds can be blamed on a cosmic being called ‘Satan’. It is not my doing but the influence and fault of a powerful, external enemy force. ◊

◊ There is a war going on in Heaven between this powerful cosmic entity called ‘Satan’ and the Almighty Creator of the universe. ◊ 

◊ Our supposed sinful nature prevents us from ever achieving righteousness. ◊ 

◊ We, as believers, will soon be ‘raptured’ up from this evil world to a place called ‘heaven’ before the wrath of almighty God is poured out. ◊

◊ Being dunked and rising out of a body of water makes one ‘born again’. Even if the sea or a dirty river is used as this body of water. ◊ 

◊ Wealth and general prosperity in this world is a blessing from God. Even though the Scripture reveals that the life of the true believer will include much suffering and persecution ◊

 

This list and my issues with Christianity could go on and on for pages.

 

The term ‘Christian’. 

‘Christian’ is the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were “brethren,” “the faithful,” “elect,” “saints,” “believers.” But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name “Christian” came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament ( Acts 11:26 ; 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ).

(Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

 

The disciples, we are told, ( Acts 11:26 ) were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, ( Acts 15:1 Acts 15:23 ; 1 Corinthians 7:12 ) disciples , ( Acts 9:26 ; 11:29 ) believers , ( Acts 5:14 ) saints , ( Romans 8:27 ; 15:25 ) The name “Christian,” which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, ( Acts 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ) is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name “Christian” of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt.

(Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

 

The term ‘Christian’ is only listed three times in the New Testament and was never a term assigned  by Y’Shua to his followers. The English word ‘Christian’ comes from the Greek word Christianos (Strongs G5546) and means a follower of ‘christ’ or ‘anointed’. I highly doubt that the word ‘christian/christianos’ would have come out of the mouth of Peter either – one of the three occurrences being in the book of 1 Peter. 

It does seem rather ludicrous to me that the term ‘Christian’ was adopted and accepted, seemingly without objection, by the believers/followers of the Messiah Yahushua both in the early ‘New Testament’ time and still today. I say this due to the origin and little use of the word – and by the Greeks in Antioch. Why have the Church embraced this label? 

Names in Scripture have enormous meaning and significance. People of knowledge should be very careful to use the correct names due to the significance of the meanings.

There was a time when the word ‘gay’ meant ‘happy and joyful’. Well things have changed and the word holds a completely different meaning in todays world. 

Well, considering the above comments and what Christianity has evolved into ( with the decay starting from as early as the first century), I can not associate with the term or call myself a Christian. 

I am, however, a Bible believing student. An attentive Berean. One who is listening out for the voice of the ‘Good Shepherd’ – to follow wherever He leads. I am not against, neither do I criticise any individual but I do reject the institute of organised religion and the traditions of man.

 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 

John 10:11-16