Is the Twenty-first century Christianity Biblical?
This is a very good question one could raise to inquire whether our Christian faith in the twenty-first century is still relevant or not. Over three centuries ago, John Wesley raised the same question during his days. In his sermon, Scriptural Christianity, he first described how Christianity started off and how it spread. Then, he discussed its application for the people in England.
In the following lines, we will briefly look at Wesley’s description of Scriptural (Biblical) Christianity to see how relevant this could be for you and I in our daily living. There are four points out of Wesley’s sermon that I would like to bring to our attention to help in the process.
1. “Christianity should not be a set of opinions or a system of doctrines. Biblical Christianity should refer to people’s hearts and lives.“ Here comes the idea that hearts (or what we believe) should be lived out in our every day living. A Christian life is connecting faith and works.
2. “The disciples were all together in one place with one accord. They spoke in tongues that the pilgrims in Jerusalem could hear all about God’s wonderful works.” Biblical Christianity is about proclaiming God’s might acts in a plain language. The proclamation should be in the language of the people. People listen when they realize that one is using their language and meeting where they are.
3. “The disciples were all given gifts and all gifted.” The Holy Spirit gives gifts to people who believe the Gospel and repent. The believers are also gifted and equipped for ministry and the edification of the church. This brings forth the point that the ministry and the edification of the body of Christ is not dependent on our efforts or capabilities as humans.
4. Lastly, Biblical Christianity is that we have the mind of Christ and the holy fruits from the Holy Spirit:
1. to endue us with faith;
2. to enable us to crucify the flesh;
3. to fulfil all outward righteousness; and
4. to walk as Christ walked.
Scriptural Christianity, as Wesley argued in his sermon, that the time will come when it will prevail over all, and cover the whole world.
Biblical Christianity is the manifestation of God’s Kingdom on earth. And because it is so, no one will ever be able to stop God’s Work through His Church!
