Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

Just Christians

Ron Bartanen

If you were asked what you are religiously, what would be your answer? Most, if they would be members of any "church", would probably reply by giving the name of their denomination. This, however, would not have been so in the first-century church, for denominations were then non-existent. While, at first, the early converts to Christ were Jewish, the gospel soon was preached also to gentiles, but the idea of a “Jewish Church” and a "Gentile Church" would have been completely foreign to God's plan for "one fold' (the church) and one Shepherd (Christ)" (John 10:16). Jesus, on the evening He was betrayed, prayed for believers: "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us,, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me" (John 17:21). While there were different terms used in relation to believers in Christ, such as "body of Christ," "the Way," and "disciples" of Christ, the one that would be most significant was the name "Christian," designating those who were followers of Christ. As the church began to include gentiles in the fold, and the apostle Paul began fulfilling his calling to “bear (Christ's) name among the gentiles" (Acts 9:15), Luke tells us that "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Peter would later admonish suffering believers, writing that if any would suffer as a Christian, he should not be ashamed, but rather, "glorify God in that name" (1 Pet. 4:16b, ESV). Denominational names are divisive and sectarian in nature, and are far from glorifying God. The name "Christian" in no way should divide true Christians from one another, but only to recognize the believer's separation from a non-believing world.

In the New Testament, which is our authority for our faith and practice, all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God who died for their sins and was raised again, repented of their sins, unashamedly confessed Him, and were buried with Him in baptism were just Christians—neither more nor less. (cf. Acts 11:26; 28; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39). Why should it be otherwise today? If you respond in faith and obedience to the gospel as they did, you would become what they were Christians. If you would "in word and deed, do all in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17), continuing in His word, you will continue to simply be what they were—Christians. Jesus' words to His followers then should yet be heeded today: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31), and as a disciple, bear the name "Christian" (Acts 11:26).

https://bulletingoldextra.blogspot.com/2026/09/just-christians.html

Plant Don't Pick

Jason Wright

One of the concepts we try to practice in seed sowing is Plant Don't Pick. As Paul commanded in I Corinthians 3, we are to plant and water the seed and leave the rest to God.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He shared His message with some interesting characters who tried to trick and test Him. He always planted instead of picking. Maybe you remember that awkward feeling when you were a kid waiting for captains to pick you to be on their team. They would look at you, make a judgement and then move on to someone else.

Do we pick and don't plant? Does Evangelistic Prejudice exist in the church? Sometimes Christians can be heard saying, he will never convert. She will never become a Christian. He is not a good candidate for the gospel; lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Not scary Gary or mean Gene…nope, no way, no how. The decision has been made. That's it; it's a wrap. In other words, do we pick people who we think will obey and cast aside those who won't? If so, for some, the seed goes unplanted. Unfortunately, we make these decisions based on our own negative thoughts about someone who may or may not be searching for something better.

A lesson I have learned over the years is I do not know who will or who will not obey the Gospel. What I do know is they won't obey what they haven't heard. That is where you and me come into play. Who needs the seed and how do we sow it in their hearts? We should PLANT and not PICK.

James 2 reminds us not to hold the Gospel with partiality. We are not to show attention to the rich man and then direct the poor man to sit at our footstool. Notice, if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin.

We should not care more about man's outward appearance than the inner man (I Sam. 16:7). Jesus said in Matthew 11:5, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. We also know it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:23). Either way, rich or poor, family or friend or coworker, we should not withhold the Gospel based on our own judgements about them.

Thankfully, Jesus sees us all as souls worth saving. He sees you and me as valuable. In fact, so treasured that He left heaven, lived the perfect example, and died a horrible death so we can have forgiveness of sins. We should be thankful Jesus was not a respecter of persons, but a Savior for all mankind. Jesus lived a life modelling how we should plant and not pick!