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How the Gospel Defines Christianity

R

Robert Pate

Member
Religion does not define Christianity. There is no mention of a religion in the New Testament. All religions have one thing in common, they have all been conceived by men. There was an attempt to establish a religion in the Corinthian church, but Paul wanted no part of it, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, also 1 Corinthians 3:3-4.

Not all professing Christians are Christians. Jesus said, "Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of the Father" Matthew 7:21. The will of the Father is that we trust in his Son Jesus Christ for our salvation and not a religion. Those that are trusting in a religion are counterfeits. They have not been born again by the Gospel, 1 Peter 1:23.

Robert D. Brinsmead who is a well-known Christian scholar and theologian once said, "Religion is not an indication of faith, religion is an indication of the absence of faith". If you believe that you have been saved and justified by Jesus Christ, then why do you need a religion? I agree with Brinsmead, Religion is an indication of the absence of faith. The religious have faith, but it is not faith in Christ and his Gospel. It is faith in their religion.

Paul said, "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16. To everyone that believes what? To everyone that believes the Gospel. Only those that are indwelt with the Holy Spirit can know and understand the Gospel. Those that are trusting in their religion cannot know or understand the Gospel because it is hid from them, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

It was the Gospel that gave birth to the New Testament church, not a religion. When Peter preached the Gospel 8,000 Jews that heard and believed the Gospel were saved, Acts 2:41 also Acts 4:4. This was "The power of God unto salvation" for those that believed.

There is nothing about religion in the Gospel. In the Gospel Jesus has reconciled us and the whole world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. He didn't do that by making us religious. He did that by fulfilling all of the demands of God's law for us and atoning for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. We are complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. No one was predestinated. No one had to join the Catholic church.

The Gospel defines who a Christian is, not religion.
 
Definitions of Religion

A religion is a particular system of belief in a god or gods and the activities that are connected with this system.
Collins Dictionary

religion, human beings relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence
Brittanica

the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship
Cambridge Dictionary

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Øa particular system of faith and worship.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary

The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe
Freedictionary

the service and worship of God or the supernatural
Merriam Webster

How is Christianity not a religion?
Perhaps you have your own personal definition of religion just as you have your own personal definition of 'works of the law'.
 
Christianity is a religion by pretty much every definition. It is a wonder why some sects within Christendom define "religion" in their own way and then conclude that Christianity isn't a religion. A clear case of circular reasoning.

There is simply good religion (Christianity) and bad religion.

Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
Jas 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)
 
Without the religious aspects…which can be beneficial to individuals families communities and societies..,

Christianity would become a solitary pursuit and that’s not biblically sound.
 
Robert Pate said:
Religion does not define Christianity. There is no mention of a religion in the New Testament. All religions have one thing in common, they have all been conceived by men. There was an attempt to establish a religion in the Corinthian church, but Paul wanted no part of it, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, also 1 Corinthians 3:3-4.

Not all professing Christians are Christians. Jesus said, "Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of the Father" Matthew 7:21. The will of the Father is that we trust in his Son Jesus Christ for our salvation and not a religion. Those that are trusting in a religion are counterfeits. They have not been born again by the Gospel, 1 Peter 1:23.

Robert D. Brinsmead who is a well-known Christian scholar and theologian once said, "Religion is not an indication of faith, religion is an indication of the absence of faith". If you believe that you have been saved and justified by Jesus Christ, then why do you need a religion? I agree with Brinsmead, Religion is an indication of the absence of faith. The religious have faith, but it is not faith in Christ and his Gospel. It is faith in their religion.

Paul said, "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16. To everyone that believes what? To everyone that believes the Gospel. Only those that are indwelt with the Holy Spirit can know and understand the Gospel. Those that are trusting in their religion cannot know or understand the Gospel because it is hid from them, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

It was the Gospel that gave birth to the New Testament church, not a religion. When Peter preached the Gospel 8,000 Jews that heard and believed the Gospel were saved, Acts 2:41 also Acts 4:4. This was "The power of God unto salvation" for those that believed.

There is nothing about religion in the Gospel. In the Gospel Jesus has reconciled us and the whole world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. He didn't do that by making us religious. He did that by fulfilling all of the demands of God's law for us and atoning for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. We are complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. No one was predestinated. No one had to join the Catholic church.

The Gospel defines who a Christian is, not religion.
Click to expand...
Great post!!!
 
Mungo said:
Definitions of Religion

A religion is a particular system of belief in a god or gods and the activities that are connected with this system.
Collins Dictionary

religion, human beings relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence
Brittanica

the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or any such system of belief and worship
Cambridge Dictionary

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Øa particular system of faith and worship.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary

The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe
Freedictionary

the service and worship of God or the supernatural
Merriam Webster

How is Christianity not a religion?
Perhaps you have your own personal definition of religion just as you have your own personal definition of 'works of the law'.
Click to expand...
Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a spiritual ascension to a truth and the truth is that Jesus is the savior of the world, John 3:17. No laws, rules or religion needed. Catholicism is a denial of the Gospel.
 
Robert Pate said:
Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a spiritual ascension to a truth and the truth is that Jesus is the savior of the world, John 3:17. No laws, rules or religion needed. Catholicism is a denial of the Gospel.
Click to expand...

According to your personal on fallible opinion.
 
Robert Pate said:
I can understand why you are offended. You have embraced a man conceived religion that is not in the Bible. Very difficult to defend. Maybe you should scrap it and trust in Christ alone.
Click to expand...

I'm offended because you claim I am not a Christian.
 
Robert Pate said:
I can understand why you are offended. You have embraced a man conceived religion that is not in the Bible. Very difficult to defend. Maybe you should scrap it and trust in Christ alone.
Click to expand...
Yes, the one who was appointed (not elected) by God.
 
Mungo said:
I'm offended because you claim I am not a Christian.
Click to expand...
A Christian is one that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed them, and that they are complete in him, Colossians 2:10. No laws, rules or religion needed. Jesus did it all and he did it perfectly.
 
Christ_empowered said:
Without the religious aspects…which can be beneficial to individuals families communities and societies..,

Christianity would become a solitary pursuit and that’s not biblically sound.
Click to expand...
I don't think that religion benefits anyone. Religion is divisive and full of contention. I heard that the Catholic church is about to go bankrupt because of the numerous lawsuits brought about because of the lewd actions of penafiel priest.
 
Robert Pate said:
I don't think that religion benefits anyone. Religion is divisive and full of contention. I heard that the Catholic church is about to go bankrupt because of the numerous lawsuits brought about because of the lewd actions of penafiel priest.
Click to expand...
Rubbish Don't believe all the nonesense that goes round the Internet.
 
Robert Pate said:
A Christian is one that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed them, and that they are complete in him, Colossians 2:10. No laws, rules or religion needed. Jesus did it all and he did it perfectly.
Click to expand...

You just keep making stuff up.
 
The word Christian defines itself. The suffix ian infers owned by or from, and the bible tells us Christ purchased the church with his own blood.
 
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