Timothy McCabe

No one is born a Christian. I'm no exception. Of course, just like so many other Americans, I believed I was a Christian before I actually became one. There really were passages in scripture that described me well, but they weren't the ones I thought they were...

Gen 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Rom 1:21-23 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

However, in 1997, Jesus Christ called me, justified me, and redeemed me (Rom 5:8; Rom 8:30). His Holy Spirit has indwelt me (1 John 4:4), and His single sacrifice provided the full appeasement for my condemnation (1 John 4:10). Christ has made me a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and what shall I do now but glorify Him?

As loosely defined as possible, A Christian is a person who follows Christ. Every self-proclaimed Christian will include themselves in this category.

Unfortunately, this vague definition really does virtually nothing to explain Christianity. It actually produces more questions than answers. After all, who exactly is Christ? What does it mean to follow Him? Does anyone have the power to follow Christ, or are only certain select people truly capable of becoming Christian? Can a person be a Christian if they not only follow Christ but also follow numerous others, each held on the same level as Christ?

This definition is kind of like Webster's initial definition of Prognosticator -- "Prog*nos"ti*ca`tor, n. One who prognosticates."

Great, he said sarcastically. Thanks for the information.

While anyone can create their own version of Jesus and claim to follow Him, and thereby proclaim themselves a Christian, the true Jesus Christ is clearly revealed in the Bible, the only accurate and authoritative source of written information about Him. I take the 66 books of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, to be the authoritative Word of God, inerrant in the original manuscripts.

In accordance with the Bible's teachings, I believe there is one God (Deut 32:39; Isa 45:5-6), eternally coexistent in three persons: Father (Jhn 17:1-3; 1 Cor 8:6), Son (Isa 9:6; Jhn 1:1), and Holy Spirit (Act 5:3; Mat 28:19), and these three persons are eternally distinct (2 Cor 13:14; Jhn 14:26; Jhn 17:1). This is also known as the doctrine of the Trinity.

I believe that the human race was specially and perfectly created by God in a single day (Gen 1:27), and that through our selfish behavior, we have fallen short of God's perfection (Rom 3:23). As a result, none of us deserve to even continue on in His world (Rom 6:23), let alone do we deserve admission to His perfect heaven (Mat 19:25-26).

However, I also believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth (Isa 7:14; Mat 1:23); in His sinless life (Heb 4:15); in His miracles (Jhn 2:19; Mat 15:31); in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (Heb 9:22; Heb 13:12); in His bodily resurrection (John 19-21; Act 4:33); in His personal return in power and glory (Act 1:11; 1 Ths 4:17).

I believe that for man to be forgiven, rebirth through the Holy Spirit is essential (Jhn 3:5), and that turning from sin, also called repenting (Luk 13:3; Act 3:19), and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Jhn 14:6; Rom 10:9) is the only Way to come into a forgiving, love relationship with God.

I believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Act 19; 1 Cor 6:19), by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life (Jhn 14:26; Tts 3:5) and that His power and gifts are available to all believers (1 Cor 12).

I believe in both the resurrection of the forgiven (Mat 25:34-40), and also the resurrection of the damned (Mat 25:41-46). Those that are forgiven will be resurrected to everlasting life, and those who reject God's forgiveness will be resurrected to damnation.

If you have been wondering how to become right with the God who made you, Jesus Himself claims that He is the only way to God (John 14:6). The Bible teaches that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9).