July 2, 2023 – I Have a Friend Who Is a Christian, But Not My “Brand"
How do you talk to someone who is a Christian, but it’s not your same “brand” of Christianity? Is it enough to agree to disagree? This week we will explore speaking the truth in love with those who believe some of what we believe about Jesus and the Bible, but not all of it.
Philippians 3:12-21
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my
own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Hi Pastor David,
Thank you for your hard work, dedication to the church, and sharing your faith with others.
I’ve found the topic of how to relate to people of different faiths of great interest. I have friends who are Mormon, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic and from a variety of Protestant denominations.
What/Who am I? I grew up Mennonite which carries the Anabaptist foundation of faith and ethics. My particular brand of Mennonite theology is a strong foundational belief in atonement and the belief that Jesus came to save everyone (not limited atonement), and for Christians to engage in the daily exercise of Christian ethics, e.g., to help the poor, encourage and at times lovingly admonish political leaders, and bring non-believers into the church by our example of living a Christian life and sharing the Gospel. As is true for Lutherans, Christian ethics has nothing to do with merit. Faith alone secures one’s salvation.
However, as you are aware, Anabaptists do not believe that infants need to be baptized. For us, the death on the cross wiped away the sin of Adam so a newborn is not burdened with Adam’s sin. Nor do we find any scripture to back up the practice of infant baptism. Sin is a concern for us when a person reaches the age when s/he can understand the Gospel and has the free will to make a decision to choose between right and wrong, choose to follow Christ or to go another path. Salvation is a matter of Faith and a baby is not capable of exercising Faith.
I would find it of great interest to hear a sermon about, “I have a friend who is an Anabaptist”.
Have a great weekend!
A visitor,
Ken Gaeddert