 What is a Christian?
Many Churches/Denominations use the term 'Christian' to describe their members, from Catholic to Baptist to Presbyterian etc. Yet they have different definitions for the same term ‘Christian.’ For us, a ‘Christian’ is defined by what we read in the Bible. While the term is not often used in the Bible, it refers to those who are followers or disciples of Jesus Christ.
It is not enough just to call ourselves a Christian, or even to be very religious. Many people have called themselves ‘Christians’ and later proved by their lifestyle and actions that they do not ‘follow’ Jesus in real life. Instead, Jesus tells us that we can know who his followers are – by how they live their lives. As someone once asked; “If you were in court accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)
A Christian is someone who has trusted Jesus for full and free forgiveness, who follows him by doing the will of God, relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit. The evidence should be visible as they love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and love their neighbours as themselves. A Christian has a two-way relationship with God; hearing from him by reading the Bible, and speaking to him by praying. Others often notice a change in the life of someone who becomes a Christian. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith." (Ephesians 2:4-5,8)
(See What we believe for more info.)
Is the Bible reliable?
Certainly. The Bible is 100% accurate and reliable, in the original languages. Modern translations made from the earliest and most reliable manuscripts are very reliable, especially with advances in linguistics and translation recently. The Bible today is many times more reliable than other ancient writings, such as those of Aristotle, or even those more recently by Shakespeare.
In Jesus' day, the Jewish Scriptures consisted of the 39 books of the complete Old Testament. The 27 books or letters in the New Testament were later agreed by the early church to be inspired by God. Together, they make up the 66 books of the Bible.
The Bible claims to be inspired (see 2 Tim 3v15-16), and declares itself authoritatively to be the Word of the Lord in many places. The accurately fulfilled prophecies in the Bible, often written hundreds of years before the actual events, could not have been faked, proving its divine origin. Its accuracy continues to be proved, as the history recorded in the Bible matches that discovered by researchers and archaeologists.
If you want to read more, click here for an article on trusting the Bible.
For a more in depth study, try F.F. Bruce's book "The New Testament Books - are they reliable?" online here .
Is the Bible full of contradictions?
No. When most people who claim that the Bible has contradictions are hard pressed to name one when asked. There are sometimes different accounts of the same event by different authors, such as in the Gospels. Yet different accounts of the same events may be accurate but from different perspectives, just as different newspapers can give accurate but different angles on the same events.
One of the main problems in understanding the Bible is to read each part in its own context. Just as people can be quoted out of context to appear to say things that they did not mean, Bible verses can be taken out of context to try to mean something different than what was intended. Apparent contradictions are often just passages taken out of context.
Another problem is to understand the genre used. Illustration, poetry, history, parable, prophecy, should be understood as different means of communication. Poetry should not be taken literally, while history should, and so on. For example, when Jesus says that he is the door, and then that he is the gate, he is not contradicting himself, but giving two illustrations of the fact that he is the only way to eternal life.
Do I have to bring a Bible?
No, we have a good supply of Bibles in a modern translation ('New Living translation') that is easy to read and understand. No in-depth knowledge of the Bible is needed, but only a willingness to discuss and/or listen together to what God says to us in it.
Are you Catholics or Protestants?
Neither! The Apostles and early disciples were not known as 'Catholic' or 'Protestant', but ‘Christian’. If it was good enough for them, it is certainly good enough for us. We do not feel a need to define ourselves by the ‘Catholic’ or ‘Protestant’ labels that arose much later, in the sixteenth century. These terms carry much cultural and political baggage in Ireland that can often take the focus away from the most important thing - being a follower of Christ.
Are you a sect or a cult?
No. Our beliefs are mainstream Christian and, like those of many other Christian churches, are based solely on the authority of the Bible as the source of beliefs and practice (see What we Believe). We do not follow an individual person as a church leader either. Like many fellowships or churches across the world and down through the centuries, we are self-governing, living out God’s Word in our local context.
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