Articles
Spiritual Redefinitions
Depending on where you are in this country, you might have pancakes, hotcakes, or flapjacks. If you were in a public place and looking for a drink of water, you would look for a water cooler, a bubbler, or a fountain. If you wanted to order something from your server at a restaurant, you might order pop, a soda, or just a coke [generically, no proper noun]. If you wanted a sandwich to go with that drink [whatever you call it], you might order a sub, a hoagie, a Philly, or even a po' boy. The differences in what you call these things probably depends on where you were raised or lived.
Dialect is a variation on language and terminology that is usually geographical; while the terms may be different, it doesn't change what the objects are. A sweetened, carbonated beverage tastes the same, that sandwich is the same, the machine that dispenses water for drinking still operates similarly, and that flat, round sweet bread cooked on a griddle and covered in syrup is just as tasty, no matter what the name given to it. If you are in certain parts of the country, you may need to ask for some clarification of the terms, but the fact the objects are called by different names doesn't change what the objects are.
Differing terms may refer to the same thing because of dialect; but in our language, sometimes the same word has multiple meanings, too, and, unfortunately, this has brought us to the point where men believe certain spiritually-focused terms have multiple meanings. Some will even argue that certain Bible terms may mean whatever we want them to mean. Although some seem to have a backwards-thinking approach to understanding Bible terms — where we may define the terms however we wish — such is merely wishful thinking. Just because I want to define faith in a way that pleases me, it does not make it true; I must adhere to the Biblical usage of the term and let the text tell me what its actual definition is. The failure to do this is what has led to there being literally thousands of denominations, and has led to many individuals asserting their 'right' or 'freedom' to define terms however they wish because, as they argue, 'faith' is a personal thing not bound by dictionary definitions.
This is not merely wishful thinking — it is dangerous thinking! Imagine the chaos and destruction if someone were to use that kind of thinking regarding the color of traffic lights, with the law of gravity, or the meaning of the word 'poison.' If we are to accept varied definitions the way some are willing to accept varied definitions of Biblical terms, our lives would literally be endangered!
Let us consider a few terms today that are found within God's word and consider, first, the Scriptural use and meaning, and then the ways man has decided to define the terms. Let us see the confusion and danger these arbitrary definitions have caused, but — more importantly — also the eternal consequences of these varied and arbitrary definitions.
Faith. Within the Bible is God's definition of faith — the one we should care about and strive to have: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). According to God, faith has substance and is based on evidence. It is not blind, but trusts that the facts and evidence are convincing enough to believe in things or people we have never seen. In the same way people who have never been to Paris can believe it is real, I can believe in God, Christ, and heaven.
Today, one of the dictionary definitions of faith has adopted a popular position that comes from many unbelievers: "belief that is not based on proof" [Random House Dictionary]. This particular definition of faith has changed with time, migrating from the satirical Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce [pub. 1906] into the everyday usage and now to the mainstream definition. Even though this has now become to be an 'accepted dictionary definition,' this doesn't mean it is the meaning as found in the Bible.
But faith, as used in the Scriptures, is not merely a mental acknowledgement of truth and facts; true, saving faith, from what the Bible teaches us, is a belief that moves us to action: “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household” (Heb. 11:7). If my belief in God and Christ does not move me to obey, and does not move me to prove my belief by the life I then live, then it is not the same definition and usage we find in the Bible. Since the Bible tells us we are “justified by faith” (Rom. 5:1) and “without faith it is impossible to please” God (Heb. 11:6), I must ensure I have that kind of faith!
Baptism. This word has an interesting history; it is not a literal translation of the original Greek [baptidzo], but a transliteration inserted in the King James text when the definition [i.e., immersion] did not fit with the then-current practice of sprinkling or pouring water on a candidate for baptism. This fact alone should cause us to question modern definitions and practices, but an honest look at the Scriptures show that immersion was the meaning (cf. John 3:23; Acts 8:26-39). Modern definitions and modern practices have stemmed from digression from the text of God's word and erroneous doctrines necessitating the practice of infant baptism, not from the Scriptures. If I want forgiveness, my baptism must be the kind seen in God's word!
Christian. In Ambrose Bierce's aforementioned satirical book, a Christian is defined this way: "One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin." In other words, it is someone who thinks Christ's teachings are for someone else, or for self only when it doesn't conflict with the life I want to live. Sadly, this satirical definition describes far too many professing Christians.
Today, it seems a Christian is anyone who claims to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whether they actually and in reality follow His teachings or not. Today, it seems I can claim to be a follower without actually following Jesus! If someone should question my 'faith' [see the earlier section], then I can get offended and quote that one Bible verse I know: Judge not, that you be not judged. Then I can go back to living however I want to live, smug in my self-righteousness.
But if I am genuinely interested in knowing what a Christian really is, I will look into the Scriptures and see how God defines the term. And when I look into the Bible, what I find is disciples [of Jesus] were called Christians (Acts 11:26). I will find that Christians were those who believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, and were baptized into Christ for the remission/forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). I also find that being a Christian means “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” and living “soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:12); I cannot live a life of ungodliness while simultaneously claiming to follow Jesus.
So, now it is time for a self-examination: Do I have true faith? Am I truly — that is, by deeds and by my life [not just in word] — one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ? Am I one who has been truly baptized, where my sins were forgiven and I was united with Christ? I must be sure I am truly doing what God says I must do.
—— Steven Harper
