What is an evangelical anyway?

a reply to: Phantom423

There were no Christians when Jesus was murdered.

There was one: Jesus Himself. I maintain there were others: His disciples and all those who believed on Him. Jesus started a movement among the Jews that became known as Christianity. The date someone decided to call it that is of no relevance; it existed as soon as Jesus began His ministry.

If there was one Christian (and since Jesus was the Christ and I assume He followed His own teachings, there was) then there could also be anti-Christians.

TheRedneck

a reply to: TheRedneck

Jesus never gave up Judaism to form another religion. The Church tries to insinuate that, but you can't find anything in the real historical record that implies that Jesus wanted for create a new religion.

His apostles were all Jewish. Mary Magdalene was Jewish. None of these people ever denied their religion.

Jesus was opposed to the practices of Jews in the Temple. They were greedy politicians who didn't give a damn about anyone but themselves. But they were Jews.

Jesus himself came from the Essene sect which was an orthodox Jewish sect. They formed communities in and around what was then Palestine. They were very religious and had a strict code of ethics. That's what got him in trouble - he thought he was going to change the Jews in the Temple. Well, he was wrong, wasn't he.

Jesus was born a Jew and died a Jew. That's an historical fact.

a reply to: TheRedneck

No, I am saying that the early church was holding the services in secret in the homes of the believers, not in public, or in extravagant churches, shouting the good news on the street corner. God would have had to pull off some pretty big miracles to keep his church from being decimated if they were.

Here is a stupid question...
If someone is worshipping the christian view of satan or aligning themselves with anti Christian beliefs..
(Anti-christ)...
Couldn't it be said that they are still within the Christian realm beliefs, just running on the wrong side of the highway?

The followers of Jesus first took this message to the synagogue communities of Jews in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. Many Jews did not believe that Jesus was the expected Messiah, but to the surprise of these apostles (messengers), Gentiles (pagans) wanted to join the movement. This unexpected occurrence raised questions of inclusion: should these pagans become Jews first, entailing circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance? At a meeting in Jerusalem (ca. 49 CE, The Apostolic Council), it was decided that pagans could join without becoming Jews. However, they had to observe some Jewish principles such as draining blood from meat, sexual morality, and the cessation of all idolatry (Acts 15). By the end of the 1st century, these Gentile-Christians dominated the Christianoi (“the followers of the Christ”).

It took about a century to form Christianity. The basic principles, similar to Islam, came from the Jewish traditions.
The New Testament virtually wiped out the history - most Christians are totally ignorant of the religion's history.

Jesus' good name was hijacked a long time after he was murdered to start another movement.

originally posted by: beyondknowledge

originally posted by: visitedbythem

originally posted by: TheRedneck
(Sorry, hit the wrong button... content is coming)

TheRedneck

An Evangelical is what the Apostles taught people to be. They tell people the good news about Christ, exactly as is written in scripture. Some doctrines are slightly different due to understandings, or lack of. People need to read and study what the Bible says

So by your explanation, an evangelical is someone who can read and maybe tell someone else what that book says?

That could have been useful when most people could not read. Also a very good way to not actually let the people understand what is in that book. That is why it was illeagle to publish the Bible in anything but latin for hundreds of years in some countries.

So, how are they useful now?

Latin Vulgar? That was the Roman Catholic church. Do you understand why? Do you know about Constantine, and what he did? He mixed Christianity with Paganism. Roman Catholic is about 95% correct, and about 5% Paganism.

Rat poison is about 95% wheat or grain, and about 5% strychnine. Its the 5% that kills you.

I go for the 100% truth, by scripture. I dont need the pagan poison. I have many translations. Stacks. Wanna see? I also use Strong's concordance to translate word by word. Wanna see? My family has been Christians all the way back. We got here in 1913 from Turkey,( we are Armenian) where we lived at the base of Mount Ararat. Noah's Ark mountain, and yes I have inside information about the Ark. We are also royalty ( Hagop Kazazyan) in the Ottoman Empire( Title Pasha- Ruler). We got along with the Muslims, even though we weren't Muslim. We got along with Catholics, even though we weren't. In fact, My great grandmothers Uncle sprung a Catholic from a Turkish prison and was awarded the Saint Gregory's award by his friend the Pope . Pretty much, the only people I don't get along with are Progressives. They promote Satanic activity worldwide. I don't hate them. They hate me, because, greater is He who is within me. then he who is within the world. Have a nice Independence day.

a reply to: Phantom423

Kerala Christians boast of a history and culture as old as Christianity. The roots of Christianity in India can actually be traced back to the origin of Christianity. St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Christ, is believed to be the founder of the religion in India in CE 52.



www.britannica.com...

As the Thomas Christian community grew, its members enjoyed about a millennium of theological and ecclesiastical cohesion and unity. That state of affairs changed after the Portuguese arrival. In April 1498 two Thomas Christians piloted Vasco da Gama’s small fleet from Melinda (East Africa) to Calicut (present-day Kozhikode), an event recorded by two Thomas Christian metrans (Malayam for “bishop”). Half a century later two more Thomas Christians made it possible for the Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier to bring shoreline fisherfolk, the Paravars and Mukkavars, into the Roman Catholic fold.

Nevertheless, harmonious relations with the Catholics did not last. After 1561, Thomas Christians were branded heretics by the Goa Inquisition, which had been established under Portuguese rule. The 1599 Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor) anathematized the catholicos of Chaldea and all Christians of India who did not submit to Rome. Ancient churches were destroyed, libraries were burned, and clerics from Mesopotamia were intercepted, imprisoned, and executed.

a reply to: visitedbythem

The Church Of Rome has killed more Christians than any other organization on the planet.

Evangelist means 'bringer of good news'. I think it's important to say what the good news is:

Our consciousness perpetuates after the death of our body and there's an advocate to help us with this transition. Striving to live an ethical life will produce quality fruit in your life on earth, and the old malice that was in your heart may be erased at the simple thought of true repentance (which simply means to change your mind). This sort of pursuit will help a peaceful transition into the next life. There are also greater mysteries in this lifetime that I am incapable of describing with words.

Politics and institutions have, of course, spoiled and added burdens to the weightless yolk of the truth.

Some who claim to be Christians are actually further from the path than atheists. If a Christian does bad despite knowing the truth, whereas an atheist does good despite not realizing the reward, then who would be considered more righteous? But if an atheist fervently rejects the King of the Universe, how could they transition into that Kingdom?

a reply to: Phantom423

Jesus never gave up Judaism to form another religion.

He didn't have to. Christianity is, by definition, the act of following the Christ (the one anointed of God, as in the expected Jewish Messiah). Jesus was that Messiah, and as such the Christ. Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus is following the Christ and is therefore a Christian.

The whole thing is not a "new religion" as much as it is an extension and fulfillment of the Jewish religion. As Gentiles (non-Jews) also began to follow Christ, that... and that only... developed into a new religion only because Judaism was not deemed appropriate for the Gentiles. A Jew can also be a Christian if they believe Jesus was the fulfillment of their Messiah prophecies.

Same God as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, whom God called "Israel." The Jewish religion is the religion of the tribes of Israel... Jacob's offspring.

I am surprised you do not know this. You post as though you are an authority of some sort. Go figure.

The same goes for His disciples and the rest of His followers.

TheRedneck

a reply to: dawnstar

No, I am saying that the early church was holding the services in secret in the homes of the believers, not in public, or in extravagant churches, shouting the good news on the street corner.

That is true, but it is not a good thing. People should be allowed to worship openly, do you not agree? Surely we have advanced some in 2000 years?

Even though the early Christians were forced out of the public spotlight, they still evangelized... they still spoke to others, told others how Jesus died and rose again and how He did it all to pay for the sins of the world. That's how Christianity grew... it certainly didn't do so through osmosis.

If someone is worshipping the christian view of satan or aligning themselves with anti Christian beliefs..
(Anti-christ)...
Couldn't it be said that they are still within the Christian realm beliefs, just running on the wrong side of the highway?

Within the realm?

I suppose so, but that "realm" you mention is not limited to Christianity. The Christian God is the same as the Jewish God and the Islamic God (Allah). All three religions have their roots in Father Abraham (which s why they are collectively known as the Abrahamic religions).

Christianity is the following of the teachings of Christ. Satan is not the Christ; Satan literally means "the enemy." So while yes, Satan (Lucifer) is a component of the Abrahamic belief, the worship of Satan is a direct affront to Christianity (as well as Judaism and Islam). It is literally a direct opposition to them all.

TheRedneck

a reply to: TheRedneck

Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Christianity is a new religion regardless how you want to misinterpret the history. Ask any rabbi.

a reply to: Phantom423

Of course, a rabbi would say so. They have to. To say otherwise would mean they turned against the anointed of God and are in error.

It's OK though. God will deal with them and they will also acknowledge Christ as Messiah when he returns. God will not leave the Jews behind, but their road will be considerably harder.

a reply to: TheRedneck

Pre Jesus and under Roman authority
Emperors were considered Gods, when an emperor had a new son, throughout the empire emissaries would be sent to evangelise the good news of a new child to the emperor, a new member to the lineage of the Gods, a new ruler born. The emissaries would evangelise the good news of the birth of the rulers child.
The word was pre Jesus
Christians did the same with Jesus
Sharing the message of Jesus was good news (not so much now)
The good news was God has sent His son to restore relationship between God and mankind, God loves us and wants to free us from sin
Despite all our faults and failures, God has made a way
That’s the gospel, we share Gods love

I share God’s love and that message so, I am an evangelist, not by denomination but by deed.
Yes, maybe the word evangelical has been stolen but in my opinion, the gospel has been stolen as well as the love of God and perverted by the church

originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: Phantom423

Jesus never gave up Judaism to form another religion.

He didn't have to. Christianity is, by definition, the act of following the Christ (the one anointed of God, as in the expected Jewish Messiah). Jesus was that Messiah, and as such the Christ. Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus is following the Christ and is therefore a Christian.

The whole thing is not a "new religion" as much as it is an extension and fulfillment of the Jewish religion. As Gentiles (non-Jews) also began to follow Christ, that... and that only... developed into a new religion only because Judaism was not deemed appropriate for the Gentiles. A Jew can also be a Christian if they believe Jesus was the fulfillment of their Messiah prophecies.

Same God as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, whom God called "Israel." The Jewish religion is the religion of the tribes of Israel... Jacob's offspring.

I am surprised you do not know this. You post as though you are an authority of some sort. Go figure.

The same goes for His disciples and the rest of His followers.

TheRedneck

That has to be the most convoluted explanation of Christianity I've ever heard. You folks just make it up as you go along. When you don't like one religious interpretation, you make up another one. Hence, dozens upon dozens of Christian sects.
You pick and choose whatever looks good at the time, totally ignoring history.
"Evangelicals" just push another agenda.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Phantom423

Of course, a rabbi would say so. They have to. To say otherwise would mean they turned against the anointed of God and are in error.

It's OK though. God will deal with them and they will also acknowledge Christ as Messiah when he returns. God will not leave the Jews behind, but their road will be considerably harder.

More BS. Your god stinks of corruption and chaos. History is a testament to that.

originally posted by: Phantom423
a reply to: TheRedneck

Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Christianity is a new religion regardless how you want to misinterpret the history. Ask any rabbi.

Your statements are false. Christ created this Universe. There is coming a time very soon where all Jews left alive in Israel ( The remnant) will realize who Yeshua was and is, and will grieve over him as a lost child of their own. That whole remnant of Israel will immediately believe on Him and be saved. They will evangelize the whole Earth at that time as if they were 144,000 mini Apostle Pauls'. Stay alive through 1/2 of the Tribulation and you will see this all happen. You will hate them, and stand against them. Good luck with that.

a reply to: Phantom423

You mean history is a testament to the corrupt nature of humanity.

a reply to: Raggedyman

Just saying that it was kind of difficult for Roman Emperors to be considered Gods pre-Jesus considering that at the time it was a Republic. You don’t get many Emperors in a Republic as a general rule.

And in fact under Augustus and Tiberius who ruled during Jesus time it was still largely a Republican Dictatorship.

Their own scripture, the old testament said that they would pierce their God YHWY, Jehovah. They rejected the cornerstone. They rejected their own God, and demanded that His blood be on them and their children, and their children's children. God killed His own son in the same spot he partially enacted that with Abraham, and Isaac on the same mount, over 1000 years earlier.

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. He tented in flesh among us as requested. We wanted a God with hands and feet, and a face. He did exactly that. The whole old testament looked forward to the time of Christ, and the whole new testament looks back and the wonderful deed that was done on Golgotha. A payment for sin, for all who accept. A true testimony of real LOVE. That same God indwells me with His Holy Spirit. He has marked me as His own. He has written my name, and the names of all who have accepted that free gift, in His Lambs book of Life. They are marked by the blood of the Lamb, just as the Passover reenacts for what happened in Egypt, so long ago. The whole Bible, both old and New Testament point to this very act of Love. Pay attention.

This thread has devolved into something nasty. I'm partly to blame. I'll bow out.