21/03/2010 : What it means to be a Christian

-Pst. Tan Ye Peng

What it means to be a Christian

History seems to tell us that to know God, we need to chase after Him

But that's not what it is stated in the bible

-For issues of Love you must go personally

That's why Jesus came personally to know us & this didn't stop after He ascended int Heaven but it continued till today by the Holy Spirit

Let's look at our the disciples in the Book of Acts show themselves to be called Christians

Act 1:4-8
The Jews thought that Jesus is here only for them & thus He was the finale but Jesus has bigger plans

Act 2:1-4
-Hebrew-speaking Jews receiving the Holy Spirit

Act 2:5-8
Jesus planned it that the Hebrew-speaking Jews received the Holy Spirit in the day of Pentecost where they have a chance to meet other Jews.
The Holy Spirit will enlarge our circle of love unlike the thinking of the Jews

Act 2:38-41;46
With that, the first group of new-born believers were added into the kingdom of God
During the week of the Pentecost celebration, the believers grew

Act 4:4;18-21
But the moment the believers start to grow, the persecution started
The devil wants to contain them

Act 4:29-31
But the Holy Spirit can do great things through the believers

Acts 5:2-6
We need to be changed to God- Holy Spirit will tell you what is endorsed in God
Through Ananias- the believers learned that they need to be changed by God & also learn of the Holy Spirit powers

Acts 6:1-5
Conflicts-solvers! Disciples fill with the Holy Spirit were chosen over other criteria

Act 7:51-60
Stephen forgave murderers!

1 Cor 3:1-3
Do not use the word of God to knock others
A spiritual person is someone who forgives & loves, someone who brings peace & resolve conflicts
A house divided among itself will not stand

Act 8:1
The apostles stayed on despite all the opposition because they are united & rooted

Acts 8:4-8
Samaria is a safe place but uncleaned place but it's where the most miracles happened
There's no place that the Holy Spirit won't go

Acts 8:10
Even the most terrible person can receive God's love

Acts 8:14-17
The apostles send their leaders to accept the believers in the Samaria

Acts 9:1-5;9-17
Ananias was brave- he was initially afraid but he was brave

- Saul (the persecutor) was accepted into the family of God

Act 10:1-2;44-45
Peter was able to bring the words to the Gentiles

Act 11:26
After going through so much - they then are able to call themselves Christians

Christians are followers of the anointed one with characteristics of the Holy Spirit - united, accepting of all & peace-loving

-CHC @ Expo Hall 1; Sun Service @ 10am