|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Bible Based or Christ Based? |
|
| |
| Today it hit me. There is a strong implication that the phrase “bible based church” is centered more on studying the bible than on coming to know Christ. Yes, studying the bible is important, but …. John 5: 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life. There’s a time to study scripture and get to know Christ that way, and there’s a time to put it away and become aware of the presence of God in us and around us. Does anyone claim to be in a prayer based church? A praise or adoration based church? A sacrament based church? In reality, we should be a Christ based church. Bible study is supportive of that as are prayer, praise, adoration, and the means that Christ institutes to help us experience Him. In the end, it’s not how much scripture we know that really matters. It’s really all about the quality of our relationship with Christ. MT 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' [NIV] Gene |
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
| I agree totally...and though we are a Bible-Based Church, we are more importantly a Christ-Based Church. The Holy Liturgy is centered around Christ (through His Word and through Himself). The Sacraments are Centered around Christ. All of these things require both Christ and His Church. What is prayer without Christ? What is Liturgy without "the work of His people people" (see the Greek definition for leitourgia). We are all called to participate in all of these things with Christ. What is Bapsism without the Holy Spirit? What is Reconcilliation if we are not truly sorry for our sins? What is forgivness without Christ's Sacrificial Love? What would Holy Matrimony be if it did not mirror the covenant between Christ and His Church. The Scripture Canon is only one very important part of the Church. |
|
|
Deb |
 |
January 11, 2008 at 2:48pm |
|
| Our church considers itself a bible based church, but that is not the end of it. If you don't put what you read in the bible into practice, that it is just another book...Jesus, just another man. My goal in life is to be more like Jesus, and I can say that probably the majority of the other people in my church feel the same way. Yet we won't know what Jesus was like without the bible. And it is important to know scripture, so that we have our defenses ready if faced with challenges. I would agree, that in light of the quality of our relationship with Christ, scripture pales in comparison...but I think the two go hand in hand. There are many who think that reading the bible is enough, learning scripture is all they need. People need to know the Lord personally, and have an active and ongoing relationship with Him. Without that, they will not see the kingdom of Heaven. |
|
|
Glenn |
|
January 11, 2008 at 5:07pm |
|
Gene,
I often wonder if we in the mainline churches will approach Jesus in the day of judgment and hear those very words, "I never knew you". I am afraid that all to many people who call themselves by the name of Christ will hear that response. I pray God will continue to work in my heart both through His Word and Spirit so I will hear "Well done good and faithful servent, enter into my rest."
peace |
|
|
Gene |
|
January 11, 2008 at 8:15pm |
|
Really well said!
How often do we find people trying to beat each other up using the Bible? I think it also shows a major difference in two forms of church message - preaching or teaching. I find that most Bible based churches are teaching churches. The message is centered on the word and understanding what is being said. On the other hand, preaching messages focus more on the aspects of living a Christian life and use scripture as the basis for understanding how it applies.
Both are acceptable. And, if both are centered on Christ, why add special words t the name of the church?
Red Gene |
|
|
Gene |
|
January 12, 2008 at 12:23pm |
|
It just seems to me that if we all focus our eyes, our hearts, our lives on Christ then this constant fission going on all flip around and the body of Christ (the church) can be united. But I think that we have fundamentaly a spirit of distrust that continue to get in the way, which is what drives people to want to use labels such as "bible based".
And while labels serve to highlight something important, they create a problem.
People live up to the label to which they become attached, for better or for worse. Countless studies have shown what happens when parents or teachers label students. A seemlingly innocent statement on the part of parent can have oustanding....or severe... consequences in the life of a child. It works the same way with employees. Label someone a certain way and guess what, that's exactly what happens.
So if we label a church as being bible centered, that's what happens. The focus of the Christian life is on scripture. Other elements critical to the life of the Christain become diminished or evaporate altogether.
AC 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. AC 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
"A personal relationship with Jesus Christ" is the point. We all know that frequent study of scripture is vital to the Christian life, but it has to be in concert with the other elements that also serve to bring us into a closer relationship with Him.
The more we integrate these elements into the daily and weekly life of the Christian, the closer each gets to Christ, the closer we get to God, and the closer we get to each other.
"They will know that we are Christians by our love." And this is the strongest testamony of all.
Gene |
|
|
Gene |
|
January 15, 2008 at 11:39pm |
|
Kathy, in your blog you referenced you said, " It is my fear and observation that much of today's Christian church has become the Pharisees." That has been my exact thought of late.
Gene |
|
|
Sugz |
|
April 22, 2008 at 10:23pm |
|
| This is why it is about relationship and not religion! Great message. It really hit home with me. Thanks! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to top
