Just A Christian?
Rick Janelle
When someone asks me what I am religiously, the answer I most often give is, "I'm just a Christian." This usually results in a response like this, "Yeah, I knew that, but what kind of Christian?" Depending on the attitude and mindset of the questioner, I may or may not try to explain further.
Does it sound strange to you that someone can be "Just a Christian"?
Is it possible to be a "Christian" without being part of a particular "denomination"? Even as divided as the religious world is today, it IS possible.
You CAN Be "Just A Christian"
I believe that throughout history there have always been those who simply did their best to follow God's word and who were simply "Christians". In fact, Jesus prophesied that this would be so. After Peter confessed to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God.", Jesus said this, ". . .on this rock I WILL build my church, and the gates of Hades WILL NOT overcome it." (Matthew 16:16 -- 18) Regardless of what has happened in history and society, God has always had people who served Him and were members of His church, even when it did not appear to be so.
The Bible refers to individuals who follow Christ as "Christians." "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26) "If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in THIS name." (I Peter 4:16)
The apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists and teachers the world has ever known did not want his followers to refer to themselves as "Paulite Christians." (1 Corinthians 1:10 -- 17) Paul wanted people to be followers of Christ alone.
This is also true of other great religious leaders. Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, James (Jacobus) Arminius, Roger Williams, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and other great religious leaders of history all pointed to the scriptures and urged their followers to serve Christ, not human organizations.
Are There Others In Your Area Who Are Trying To Be "Just Christians"?
There may be many groups of people around the world who are trying to be nothing more than Christians. When God's word, BY ITSELF, is planted in the hearts and minds of people, the plant that will grow is a "Christian". This is one of the beautiful and powerful effects of the Bible. Paul described it this way, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6).
One group of people who are trying to live only by the Bible are usually known as "churches of Christ." This term is not used in a separatist sense, but is meant to show their desire to be a part of Christ's church. The term "church of Christ" refers to WHO OWNS the organization, not to just another religious body listed in the phone book.
The Bible uses many names for those who are simply trying to follow His will. "All the churches of Christ greet you." (Romans 16:16) "the church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2) "The body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) "the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10) These and other Biblical names are not proper names, but are descriptive phrases that describe the relationship between the true church, Jesus Christ, and God the Father.
Things That Most So-Called "Christians" Stand For
Many people claim to believe that the Bible is God's word. Many believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, and in His atonement for our sins. (Romans 3:21 -- 26; 6:1 -- 11) Some even believe that there is eternal reward and eternal punishment awaiting all men after their death. (Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27) A good many try to follow after Jesus and live morally good lives. (Matthew 5:13 -- 16)
But those who are striving to follow nothing but the Bible go a step further. They believe that there is a higher level of commitment to God that is possible.
The Two Beliefs That Make "Just Christians" Different
The first belief concerns one's view of and approach to scripture.
It is one thing to believe that the Bible is God's word. It is an entirely different thing to believe that it is ALL we need for religious "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Bible frequently warns against changing God's divine message. (Galatians 1:6 -- 9, Proverbs 30:5,6) Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." It has seemed right to men throughout time to form statements of belief. These "creeds" and "catechisms" were meant to form the backbone of faithfulness to God. Instead, they have led to divisions, arguments and the disillusionment of many.
Why not use the Bible, and the Bible ALONE as our standard for belief, worship and living? In this way, we can never be hindered by a man-made document from accepting something we find in scripture.
The second belief concerns one's approach to dealing with religious division.
Anyone can see that we have a problem with religious division, and with faulty religious teachings. Great religious leaders of the past, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin worked hard and long to correct teachings and practices that were wrong. The troubles they and their followers faced came about because of their approach to dealing with religious division. They began with at different points and arrived at different conclusions. Their followers found themselves divided, rather than unified.
What if we tried to "restore" what we find on the pages of the New Testament, rather than "reforming" existing religious bodies? Would the results be different? Which is easier, to build a new house from the ground up, or to remodel an existing one that is in a bad state of repair? Anyone who has ever lived in a house while some remodeling work is being done will quickly say that it was a very trying and difficult time of their lives.
While it IS true that the world around us changes daily, it is ALSO true that God's word has and will not change. Truth, if it truly is truth, never changes. God's word is truth, (John 17:17) and it will set us free today, just as it did in the first century, IF we do what they did then. (John 8:31)
When you compare your life to what you read in the Bible, can you honestly call yourself "Just a Christian?" When you look at the people you worship with (if you go to worship services at all), do you see others who are "Just Christians?" These are questions that you should answer for yourself.
For more articles by this author visit www.messenger.org. Permission granted to use this article in any manner, as long as: 1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the article.
Free Bible Correspondence Course
Thanks For Visiting
Our Email Address is
©1998, 1999, 2001 Birdville church of Christ