Who are we? First, let us explain who we once were by the words from scripture in red below:
"Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were.
Now, let us explain who we have become...
We became Christians after we heard the gospel (which means the "good news"), believed it, and were baptized.
The good news is that Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to earth in the flesh, that He died on the cross for our sins, and that on the third day, God, the Father raised Him back to life.
On the day each of us were baptized, we were born again (John 3:3, John 3:7, and 1 Peter 1:23), a new person, all past sins forgiven, and now belonging to Christ. Acts Chapter 2 describes how the first Christians heard the gospel, believed it, and were baptized. This is how God adds new souls into the kingdom of His Son.
As Christians (the disciples were first called "Christians" in a city called Antioch - Acts 11:26), we understand through the scriptures that Jesus (also called the Lamb of God - John 1:29), had to die because His blood is the only thing that can wash away the sins of the world (Hebrews 10:4-10, 1 Peter 118-19). We are forgiven of our sins through the poured out blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7).
We know that we are not perfect; But, through His Holy Spirit in us, God helps us fight through temptations, as well as helps us through our many trials. We are sinners who do not sin willfully anymore. We have surrendered our bodies and souls to Jesus Christ to do His will as best we can. It's His will that counts now, and not our own.
We are hated by the world because of our faith in and our testimony about Jesus. Jesus warned us this would be so when He said in John 15: 18-19:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
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I have chosen scripture from the book of Revelation that further describes who we are. Please read them when you get a chance.
Revelation 5:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 15:2-4; Revelation 21:22-27; Revelation 22:14. Also read Revelation, Chapter 12.
But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
1 Corinthians 6:9-12
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Now, let us explain who we have become...
We became Christians after we heard the gospel (which means the "good news"), believed it, and were baptized.
The good news is that Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to earth in the flesh, that He died on the cross for our sins, and that on the third day, God, the Father raised Him back to life.
On the day each of us were baptized, we were born again (John 3:3, John 3:7, and 1 Peter 1:23), a new person, all past sins forgiven, and now belonging to Christ. Acts Chapter 2 describes how the first Christians heard the gospel, believed it, and were baptized. This is how God adds new souls into the kingdom of His Son.
As Christians (the disciples were first called "Christians" in a city called Antioch - Acts 11:26), we understand through the scriptures that Jesus (also called the Lamb of God - John 1:29), had to die because His blood is the only thing that can wash away the sins of the world (Hebrews 10:4-10, 1 Peter 118-19). We are forgiven of our sins through the poured out blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7).
We know that we are not perfect; But, through His Holy Spirit in us, God helps us fight through temptations, as well as helps us through our many trials. We are sinners who do not sin willfully anymore. We have surrendered our bodies and souls to Jesus Christ to do His will as best we can. It's His will that counts now, and not our own.
We are hated by the world because of our faith in and our testimony about Jesus. Jesus warned us this would be so when He said in John 15: 18-19:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
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We are the church
We are the church and Jesus Christ is the Builder of the church - Matthew 16:18
We are the church and Jesus Christ is the Builder of the church - Matthew 16:18
We are the church and Jesus Christ is the Head of the church - Colossians 1:15-18
Jesus called His followers "the church" - Matthew 18:17
We are called the church of Christ - Romans 16:16
We are called the church of God - Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:13
We are called the church of God - Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:13
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We are the children of God by adoption because of God's grace, because of our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and because we have the Holy Spirit.
Read Matthew 5:9, John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14, Galatians 3:26, Philippians 2:15, 1 John 3:1-2, 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:19
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We are a separate nation from the world's nations - Read 1 Peter 2:9-10
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Revelation 5:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 15:2-4; Revelation 21:22-27; Revelation 22:14. Also read Revelation, Chapter 12.
