Do Our Words Betray Us?

[IrishAngel]

There are many "tribes" of Christians. Some are of the Methodist tribe. Others from the Baptist, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian tribes. There are far too many to list in this short article. Having actually been in many of these different denominations or having studied the tenents, customs, and traditions of various denominations and "non-denominational" denominations, I have discovered that I can very often tell what denomination a Christian is in by just letting them talk about their beliefs for a few moments. Without them naming their denomination, it is often not difficult to find out to which "tribe" they belong. Their language, their speech, their vocabulary gives them away. Each tribe seems to major on a handful of doctrines, or rituals and it usually isn't too long before they begin to talk about the center of their beliefs.

There is an account in the book of Acts where all the tribes of Israel got together for the feast of Pentecost. Jews from all over the Mediterranean came into Jerusalem for that feast. A group of Galileans gathered together in a room and tongues of fire came down upon their heads. They entered into the streets and boldly began to speak "the wonderful works of God." Now the Jews from these other nations could still tell that these Jews were from Galilee. Their accent was still there, but the power of what was going on overpowered the fact that they were Galileans. After all, they all knew nothing good could come from Galilee, for it was the "Circuit of the Gentiles." What God was manifesting in them overrode their prejudices, which under normal circumstances, would have divided them.

In the fourth chapter of Acts we see another gathering of the tribes of Israel. Peter and John filled with the Holy Spirit spoke the to people and the Jewish leadership. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

When our conversation with other people begins to enter the realm of religion, does the audience recognize what denomination, sect, or movement of Christianity we represent? Does our conversation give away the fact that we are a dyed in the wool Baptist or Pentecostal or whatever? Do people first notice that we are Galilaeans? Do they recognize by the words, prejudices, rules, dress, etc. what kind of a Christian we are?

Or do they realize that we have been with Jesus!?

Only by abiding in Him can His presence overpower the camps we normally live (abide in). He alone manifests truth without hypocrisy. All the Bible study, church services, articles of faith, etc., in the world will not manifest the perfume of Christ's life. We must learn to live in Him and as we walk this earth, His fragrance will follow. And then the world will remember that you have been with Jesus. May His fragrance permeate your whole life and sweeten the place where you have been planted.

Thank you, Jesus.

 

[oholiab]

You would seem to have come to some of the same convictions I have, Im concerned about division in the church because of denominational distinctives. "You are still worldly, Gor since there is jeasousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are youo not acting like mere men? For whin one says, 'I follow Paul" and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" (ICor 3:3,4) Whenever Paul make practical exortations he emphasises the unity of faith. Its interesting that you mentioned Pentecost. The people that converted went to every point on the compass and the church in Rome was established very shortly after Pentecost. Paul was very aware of them was very serious about the fact that there is no difference. "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."            (Eph. 3:9).
I am well aquinted with the arguments that run throughout the church because of denominational distinctives. I'll take a good expositional study over all the arguments over semantics any day. Love builds up, knowledge puffs up.
                                                                     Grace and Peace

[Ambassador4Christ]

There are many "tribes" of Christians. Some are of the Methodist tribe. Others from the Baptist, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian tribes. There are far too many to list in this short article. Having actually been in many of these different denominations or having studied the tenents, customs, and traditions of various denominations and "non-denominational" denominations, I have discovered that I can very often tell what denomination a Christian is in by just letting them talk about their beliefs for a few moments. Without them naming their denomination, it is often not difficult to find out to which "tribe" they belong. Their language, their speech, their vocabulary gives them away. Each tribe seems to major on a handful of doctrines, or rituals and it usually isn't too long before they begin to talk about the center of their beliefs.

There is an account in the book of Acts where all the tribes of Israel got together for the feast of Pentecost. Jews from all over the Mediterranean came into Jerusalem for that feast. A group of Galileans gathered together in a room and tongues of fire came down upon their heads. They entered into the streets and boldly began to speak "the wonderful works of God." Now the Jews from these other nations could still tell that these Jews were from Galilee. Their accent was still there, but the power of what was going on overpowered the fact that they were Galileans. After all, they all knew nothing good could come from Galilee, for it was the "Circuit of the Gentiles." What God was manifesting in them overrode their prejudices, which under normal circumstances, would have divided them.

In the fourth chapter of Acts we see another gathering of the tribes of Israel. Peter and John filled with the Holy Spirit spoke the to people and the Jewish leadership. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

When our conversation with other people begins to enter the realm of religion, does the audience recognize what denomination, sect, or movement of Christianity we represent? Does our conversation give away the fact that we are a dyed in the wool Baptist or Pentecostal or whatever? Do people first notice that we are Galilaeans? Do they recognize by the words, prejudices, rules, dress, etc. what kind of a Christian we are?

Or do they realize that we have been with Jesus!?

Only by abiding in Him can His presence overpower the camps we normally live (abide in). He alone manifests truth without hypocrisy. All the Bible study, church services, articles of faith, etc., in the world will not manifest the perfume of Christ's life. We must learn to live in Him and as we walk this earth, His fragrance will follow. And then the world will remember that you have been with Jesus. May His fragrance permeate your whole life and sweeten the place where you have been planted.

Thank you, Jesus.

 

Right On  

[Ambassador4Christ]

You would seem to have come to some of the same convictions I have, Im concerned about division in the church because of denominational distinctives. "You are still worldly, Gor since there is jeasousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are youo not acting like mere men? For whin one says, 'I follow Paul" and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" (ICor 3:3,4) Whenever Paul make practical exortations he emphasises the unity of faith. Its interesting that you mentioned Pentecost. The people that converted went to every point on the compass and the church in Rome was established very shortly after Pentecost. Paul was very aware of them was very serious about the fact that there is no difference. "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."            (Eph. 3:9).
I am well aquinted with the arguments that run throughout the church because of denominational distinctives. I'll take a good expositional study over all the arguments over semantics any day. Love builds up, knowledge puffs up.
                                                                     Grace and Peace

DITTO  

[Symphony]

I think we have to back up and ask ourselves just what knowing Jesus, or believing in Jesus, means.  Then, I think the denominational issues will begin to show themselves for what they are--without a condemning or cynical judgement, but with just an awareness of what is good or not good, to be around....

God, knowing Jesus, makes us members of a "royal priesthood"...in humility, and in understanding..."ye shall know them by their fruits..."

[justin_teri]

Denomination loyalty can be dangerous if taken to an extreme. Many have become too political and seem to wholly miss the theme of the Great Comission. After all, it doesn't say "Go ye therefore and make laws and rules..." John Hagee went as far to say that more loyalty to a denomination than to Christ Himself could be considered paganism. I dont feel there is anything wrong with different denominations of churches as long as they don't have the "We are right and you are wrong" or the "Everyone but us are going to Hell" attitudes.

To address the original question...I don't think our speech alone would always give us away as belonging to a particular denomination when we are addressing non-believers. Most people I witness to don't know the difference between Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc. The most important thing is to tell them of Jesus. I always encourage the people I witness to to attend a church. I also include that it doesn't matter to my if theycome to my church or not, as long as the church they attend teach Biblical truths. I also try to give them names of several to choose from. (I guess I got a little off track...sorry)

If our speech gives us away when addressing fellow Christians, and they respond to it in a negative way, maybe the problem lies in denominational predujice. I belong to a "denominational" church but I do not believe "mine is better than yours". We all belong to the same church if we are born-again believers. The name outside shouln't matter when we as believers come together to discuss the Gospel.

[goinhome]

Great topic Irish!

I think it can affect things. People will make assumptions based on what they have heard. "Steeped in tradition" or "legalistic" is words used most often for certain denominations. And this can be based too on over hearing what someone else has said about them.

I really like what John1one said about being a member of "The Body of Christ". And no...it should not matter what the name on the outside of the church says as long as Jesus there.

[ollie]

Great topic Irish!

I think it can affect things. People will make assumptions based on what they have heard. "Steeped in tradition" or "legalistic" is words used most often for certain denominations. And this can be based too on over hearing what someone else has said about them.

I really like what John1one said about being a member of "The Body of Christ". And no...it should not matter what the name on the outside of the church says as long as Jesus there.

If a "member of the body of Christ; why be known by any other authority other than the head of the body, Jesus Christ? There is no salvation in any other name.



 Acts 4:6.  And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
 7.  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
 8.  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
 9.  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
 10.  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
 11.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
 12.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.


2 Thessalonians 2:12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[IrishAngel]

Many have become too political and seem to wholly miss the theme of the Great Comission. After all, it doesn't say "Go ye therefore and make laws and rules..."  

very good!  

Here`s another article I liked...

Not by Might Nor by Power
By John J. Grosboll

What are your feelings and mine toward our brothers and sisters in Christ? Our feelings toward each other, especially those who consider themselves our enemies, are one critical factor revealing whether or not we are ready for the latter rain. Ellen White, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote, "I would that I had the power to present the subject to others as it has been presented to me.

Just before He descended to the greatest depths of humiliation, the Saviour lifted up His eyes to heaven, and prayed that His disciples might be one. He said, ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they may all be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.’

The church will never as a whole receive the latter rain unless they shall put away all envy, evil surmising, and evil speaking. Those who have cherished hatred in the heart until it has strengthened and become part of their character, must have a different experience if they would share in the latter rain. Many are not awake to the fact that the Lord is testing and proving them to make it manifest whether or not they really love Jesus. The spirit and attitude manifested to their brethren, tells their spirit and attitude toward God. Great dishonor is done to Jesus Christ by those who claim to be His disciples. Those who are not branches of the divine Root, who are not partakers of the divine nature, will not and cannot love those for whom Christ has given His life. The evidence that we are accepted in the Beloved, that we have passed from death unto life, is that we ‘love the brethren.’ ‘He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.’ ‘He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.’

This is the decision of One who cannot lie. ‘Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.’ But notwithstanding these positive utterances, how little love is expressed among those who profess to be sons and daughters of God! ‘Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?’ The inference to be drawn from this question is that it is impossible for one to have the love of God, and fail to have compassion for his fellow men. The love of Jesus in the heart will always be revealed in tender compassion for the souls of those for whom Christ paid so dear a price. ‘Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him . . . And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ There is no such thing as a loveless Christian. He who is in unity with Christ, in word, in life, and in action, bears the living testimony that he has the mind and spirit of Christ." The Home Missionary, August 1, 1896.

"There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way byremoving every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of time. But we are not ignorant of his devices. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth. Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence from the assemblies of His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, "not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Zechariach 4:6."