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We Can Be “Just A Christian”

In the midst of the religious confusion that exists in our creed-bound, denominational divided world, it is possible for us to become “just a Christian.”

What does it mean to be “just a Christian”? It means more than just being a good moral person — more than just attending church services on Sunday — more than giving mere mental assent to certain denominational beliefs — more than just having one’s name on a church roll.

It means going back beyond any denominational doctrines of men to the first century church as revealed in the inspired New Testament (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). Back to the time when the disciples were members of “one” body — “the church” (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24).

The disciples did not follow any creeds of men, but were guided by “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). This faith (there was only one — not many) was delivered by “holy men of God” as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). We have this same “faith” today contained in the completed New Testament. This faith — “the faith” — is capable of reproducing the same pure Christianity today that flourished in the first century. If we will obey the Lord’s commandments contained in the New Testament, we can be “just a Christian” — nothing more — nothing less.

To discover the details of how we can become and remain “just a Christian” like Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, we must be willing to open our New Testament, read it, and study it for ourselves (Ephesians 3:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; Acts 17:11). The New Testament teaches that we can be added to the same body as those individuals who were added “to the church” by the Lord in the first century (Acts 2:47). All we have to be willing to do is:

• Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son (Acts 8:37).
• Repent of our sins (John 8:24; Acts 17:30).
• Be “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; cf. Romans 6:3-4 for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).

Why not today become “just a Christian” (Acts 11:26), worshipping and working in the non-denominational church of our Lord — the church — “the body” that is made up of saved individuals (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23).