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DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
1] A true Christian is one in whom the
Holy Spirit dwells. His attitude of mind and behavior are consistent
with the teachings and life of Jesus Christ; he follows God's way of
life as expressed through His laws and respects his fellowman by being
concerned with "giving" rather than "getting." A Christian strives for
success in all areas of his active, abundant life.
DOCTRINAL
OVERVIEW
2] The early disciples of Jesus Christ
strove to imitate His actions, teachings and way of life. It was for
this reason they were labeled as "Christians" (i.e. followers of Christ)
by nonbelievers to whom the disciples' way of life was obvious (Acts
11:26). During the time of the early New Testament apostolic Church, the
term "Christian" was certainly in every way accurate-for the disciples
were indeed imitators and followers of the person and teachings of Jesus
Christ. But today in the 20th and 21st
centuries, the word "Christian" is extremely
loosely and inaccurately used, the description being frequently applied
to any person or group that simply Professes a belief in the
person of Christ and acknowledges Him as the Savior. The appellation
"Christian" is even applied to all people, irrespective of their
religious convictions, who are simply born and reared in a "Christian"
culture. These usages are far from adequate when we consider the
original meaning of the term "Christian," which is: "one who actually
follows the life and teachings of Christ in detail." Even a cursory
examination of our ostensibly Christian culture in general and the many
purportedly Christian groups in particular brings out little dependence
on the teachings of Jesus Christ and even less resemblance to His actual
life.
3] To be a Christian, a person must
have God's Holy Spirit dwelling within him. "Any one who does not have
the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him" (Rom. 8:9). Before one can
be baptized and receive this Spirit, he must repent of his sins, express
faith in Christ and then accept Him as his personal Savior. This deep
identification with Christ must precede the receipt of the Holy Spirit.
4] In addition to having the Holy
Spirit, one must live and act by the teachings and values of Christ if
he is to be considered a Christian. He must live "by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4). "He who says he abides in Him
ought to walk in the same way in which He walked" (I John. 2:6). The
greatest expression of that obedience is a wholehearted demonstration of
love toward God and toward neighbor. In this regard, Christ said His
disciples would be known because of their love, especially for one
another (John. 13:35; 15:10-17). Ultimately, of course, it is through
the Holy Spirit that one can obey God and express love. In turn, God
will give His Spirit only to those who are willing to obey Him (Acts
5:31). Therefore, the basic qualities of Christianity go hand in hand
with being a true Christian and cannot be separated.
5] Christianity is a Way of life. It
is more than just believing. It is the attitude of mind which leads an
individual to follow God's directives for social conduct and for
personal behavior. Indeed, before the name "Christian" took over as
common terminology, it was their way of life that set Christians
apart as different (Acts 9:1-2; 19:9; 24:14).
6] Christianity revolves around clear,
demonstrable actions which reveal the intents and beliefs of a person
trying to live as Jesus lived. Mere belief in a name or title in and by
itself, as James points out, is valueless: "You believe that God is one;
you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder" (Jas. 2:19).
7] A Christian is one whose whole
outlook and frame of mind is in the process of transformation from
"carnal" to "spiritual." When one rises from baptismal waters he becomes
a "new man" by taking on a whole new spiritual lifestyle, created after
the likeness of God in "true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:24).
Whereas before his conversion he armed himself to face life with his own
pride, ego, strength and intellect alone, the true Christian now adds
the "whole armor" of God-the girdle of truth, the breastplate of
righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet
of salvation and the sword of the Word of God (Eph. 6:13-17).
8] These fruits or characteristics of
the Holy Spirit become progressively more manifest in the life of a
Christian. Hate is replaced by love, anxiety by peace, fearfulness by
faith, indulgence by temperance, and pride by meekness. All these and
the other fruits of the Spirit work together to overshadow the natural,
carnal characteristics of adultery, idolatry, strife, envy, wrath and
the many other aspects and variations of human nature.
9] As the Christian begins to express
godly qualities, he grows in the appreciation of their superiority over
his own human qualities. From this appreciation grows the goal of
expressing, more and more of the righteousness of Christ living within
him (Gal. 2:20) while he roots out, with God's help his own disobedience
and self-righteousness. He struggles to move closer to the basic
essence of "pure and undefiled" religion: an outgoing concern for others
with no thought of recompense for the self: this godly attitude is
exemplified in James' admonition in 1:27: "Pure religion and undefiled
before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in
their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
10] The Christian will strive to
avoid some of the pitfalls of close human associations. Judging one
another (Rom. 14:13), making spiritual comparisons (II Cor. 10:12),
offending those who are weak, gossiping and spreading rumors (Jas. 3);
none have any place in true Christianity. On the contrary, each
Christian must do his or her best to "never ... put a stumbling block or
hindrance in the way of a brother" (Rom. 14:13), to compare ourselves
only with "the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13), to
strengthen those who are weak, and to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal.
6:2).
11] Likewise, the Christian will grow
in the knowledge of God's Word and begin to express the wisdom which
comes from this knowledge as understood through God's Spirit. The Spirit
of God united with the "spirit of man" within him opens his mind to
comprehend godly things (I Cor. 2:9 ff). It gives him understanding and
insight and reorders his values and priorities so that God and His
knowledge are now first in his life (cf. Prov. 1:7).
12] Having God and His plan primary
in one's life in no way denigrates the physical cares and requirements
of normal living. Quite the contrary, a Christian addresses himself to
these things with new understanding of their place in his goal of
following God's way in this present physical life as he strives toward
gaining eternal life and entering the God family.
13] The Christian knows, that one who
will not provide for his house is worse than an unbeliever (I Tim. 5:8).
Thus, the physical cares of life are no longer an ephemeral end in
themselves, but are a means of developing and expressing love through
giving. Christians should certainly be the greatest examples of both
spiritual and physical success. For a Christian to accomplish less
in his physical life than he is able is not only a waste of his own
abilities but a neglect of his God-given potential.
14] The true Christian views his
secular education, the establishment of a career and subsequent
professional development as vital keys for building the successful life
exemplifying the characteristics of God. Additionally, the opportunity
to become professionally accomplished and prosperous by the world's
traditional standards-to gain a good reputation in one's field, a
position of responsibility, social recognition and financial rewards-are
not only good but desirable, as long as God and His laws always come
first. God wants His children to be successful in all aspects of their
physical lives. To develop the full range of our God-given human
potential as responsible, mature, effective adults is something all
Christians must strive for. To do any less neglects these God-given
gifts and squanders opportunities for both physical and spiritual
growth. Indeed, a successful Christian makes a powerful witness to the
practical, efficacious veracity of God's way of life as revealed in the
Bible.
15] A Christian life is thus in no
way passive. It is full of challenges, both physical and spiritual. It
requires great resolve to obey God, to shun both the overt and the
subtle evils and influences of human society.
16] The true follower of Jesus Christ
will strive to prove the superiority of a godly way of life through his
own example. A Christian does not debate religion with others; he
does not try to twist their arms into believing as he does, nor does he
try to "convert" them in an antagonistic manner. He is, however,
prepared and happy to answer questions about his beliefs when asked by
an interested person. As Peter stated, "be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear" (I Pet. 3:15). A Christian strives to be a
"light" to the world by allowing his actions to speak for themselves. He
knows that one who tries to love his neighbor as himself will win that
neighbors love in return and may, according to God's will, encourage
that neighbor toward following Christ as he himself does.
17] Thus, a Christian has many
positive qualities. The most basic summary of these qualities is to say
they comprise a life of giving as opposed to getting, of serving
others instead of being served, of loving instead of selfishness, and of
accomplishing and building instead of tearing down and destroying. It is
the way spoken of by Christ in the beatitudes and in the sermon on the
Mount. It is the way naturally produced by the motivation of God's Holy
Spirit. It is the way Jesus lived and acted; and a Christian is one who
follows Christ in this way.
18] But the requirement for a
Christian to adhere closely to the principles of Christ does not mean
that all Christians must be totally identical in personality, personal
tastes or preferences. Quite the opposite is true. God, as the Creator
of mankind, was the One who designed the potential for wide differences
in human proclivities and personalities, likes and dislikes and even in
our physical and mental makeup. He intended from the beginning that
differences in environment and heredity should allow (and even cause)
great variety within the human species. And God intends that these
differences should be expressed (within certain limits).
19] We are required to lead a life of
personal responsibility and character before God and our fellow man-a
life that is pleasing and obedient to our Creator and one that enables
the individual to find and reach his greatest personal potential and
fulfillment.
20] God's great love for man has
given man the basic guidelines for living life which, if followed, will
ensure a full, abundant physical life and the growth of godly character
in every pursuit and activity. These fundamental instructions, as
revealed in the Bible, allow for great individual variation so that all
can still maintain their own personal identity, preferences and
individuality.
21]
The two overriding principles one should consider in
applying God's law to the everyday cares and pursuits of life involve
the continuing and conscious recognition that: 1) Christianity is a way
of life; and that 2) everything we do as Christians should be done as if
under the scrutiny of Christ (Col. 3:17). In different areas of life,
these principles take on different meanings.
22] For example, the Bible clearly
recognizes the arts as representing some of the highest expressions of
man's potential. Obviously any art form which encourages the breaking of
any of God's laws is wrong, but beyond this, the Bible makes little
distinction as to "right" or "wrong" in art, music, literature, poetry,
architecture, etc., other than to emphasize positive purpose in their
expression. The application of God's laws in these areas of artistic
expression is more complex today than it was in biblical times. The key
principles, applying the fundamental standards of God's Word, are
balance and beauty, elegance and harmony, inspiration and skill,
sensitivity and creativity. (Cultural differences may necessitate that
certain criteria, "beauty" and "quality," for example, be subjectively
determined. What is beautiful music to an Asian or an African might seem
discordant to a European and vice versa. The unifying principle is to be
found in an affirmative answer to the question, "Is it edifying to the
individual Christian?" As in other matters, each person must use wisdom
and discretion based upon these general guidelines and make his own
decisions for himself)
23] A godly way of life must include
the basic aspects of physical health: good nutrition in a balanced diet,
proper amounts of exercise and sleep, living in accord with public
health ordinances and principles, and taking care to avoid bodily
injury. While eschewing faddism or fanaticism of any kind, the church
encourages everyone to eat natural foods as much as possible and to
avoid those processed foods and preservatives which can have
debilitating physiological effects. In this context, a Christian will
avoid the use of tobacco or illegal drugs in any form and drink
alcoholic beverages only in moderation. If illness or injury should
occur, a Christian has a great advantage over the nonbeliever; he can
ask for God's help in healing, in addition to seeking the most competent
medical aid available.
24] In matters of dress and style,
the church teaches and emphasizes the biblical principle of modesty.
Balance, good taste, quality and modesty are stressed in the use of all
clothing and bodily decorations such as hair styles and makeup. How a
person looks and what he wears is a personal matter, but an individual
should attire himself in such a way as to be presentable to Christ. We
are told in I Corinthians 10:31: "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God." The church encourages its members
to look "normal," in keeping with the styles and customs of their times
and places. Church members should not look overtly different from other
people in their immediate surroundings, though they should always be
striving to improve themselves, being representatives of God, in all
areas of their lives. In all such matters the members are encouraged to
avoid extremes and to use common sense. This sound-minded, temperate
approach is what a Christian will develop as he grows in God's Spirit
(II Tim. 1:7; Gal. 5:22-23). The use of balance in these areas is
essential, though the church does not police its members' personal
lives.
25] In the area of celebration of
nonreligious holidays, the Church of God has never taken any stand
against the observance of various and sundry days during the course of
each calendar year, whether they be national or personal. In all
countries around the world, our members keep nonreligious days which are
special to their countries or themselves. For example, the majority of
American church members celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Washington's Birthday and the
like. Other personal days have long been commonly observed by Church of
God members, days such as Mother's Day, Father's Day and wedding
anniversaries. These are commonly observed either through the exchanging
of gifts (as in Mother's and Father's Days), the celebration over a
family meal (as in Thanksgiving), or merely abstaining from work or
going on an outing (such as Labor Day, the Fourth of July, etc.).
26] The Church of God, likewise, has
no specific statement of doctrine concerning the common custom of the
celebration or the observance of birthdays. The Bible itself keeps
careful track of the ages of the patriarchs and of the kings of Israel
and Judah (especially at the beginning of their reigns). Levites worked
in the service of the tabernacle of the congregation from thirty to
fifty years old (Num. 4:23). Our society also requires that we
continually list the date of our birth in everything from job
applications to the national census.
27] To some families, the passage of
the birthday of a child at age six is quite an important occasion with
congratulatory hugs and kisses and the sending of a proud little boy to
his first day in grade school. Perhaps, in other families, the event is
comparatively unimportant, and there is no special note taken of the
passage of any particular year. In all of our memories, it is safe to
say that some birthday observances have retained special meaning:
perhaps it was a particular plateau of life at which a certain
achievement or accomplishment may have been on the horizon, such as
entering into teenage or reaching the age of legal responsibility.
28] Of course, these national or
personal holidays should never overshadow the observance of God's holy
days. They are not on a par with, nor should they be elevated to, the
importance of the festivals of God which reveal His plan and thereby
convey great spiritual significance.
29] Taken all together, the Christian
life is one of deep religious conviction coupled with vigorous activity,
serious accomplishment, sound-minded balance and common sense. As he
applies God's principles to every facet of his life, the Christian
strives to meet the challenges of becoming fully successful while living
above reproach before both God and man. |
