Who are you?

When people ask me what I am, I usually answer a Christian who believes the Bible. Now, that might insult some, as it seems to imply that I am saying they do not believe the Bible, but that is honestly not my intent. It is just the best way I can describe myself. I have told people that the reason I am a Baptist is because in my opinion, of all the denominations out there, the Baptists are closest to what I see in the scriptures. And that IS the reason I am a Baptist, I was not raised Baptist by my parents.

 

I'm a Christian who most closely associates with Independent Fundamental Baptists. More specifically, I would be close to a Landmark Baptist, but not exactly.

 

I'm a sinner saved by His marvelous Grace, so call me blessed.

 

I am a born again Christian and a Baptist, because the Baptists are closest to the Bible.
I am also a conservative Republican, because they are pro-life and pro-gun.

 

If labels destroy, then why ask what we are?

By the way, I am a conservative Southern Baptist who is saved, born again, redeemed, reconciled, purchased, pardoned, bought, adopted, & every other description given to one who has been given the gift of grace.

 

Indeed! Praise God!

 

Preach it brother!

Nice post. :thumbsup:

 

TCassidy's description of himself reinforces the point I want to make. Labels are shorthand, which tells us briefly about what we believe.

He described himself as a Particular Baptist. That tells me about his soteriology.

He's a successionist. That tells me about his ecclesiology.

When he describes himself as a Christian, I know a little about him, but not enough. It does not tell me if he's a Catholic, Mormon, Baptist or Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptist (that's actually a denomination). When he describes himself as born again, that fills in some blanks, as well. It tells me he's not likely a Catholic.

The separatist label adds more information. From all this, I can deduce that he is probably pretty conservative, which means he is probably an inerrantist regarding scripture.

We all wear labels. They are useful and time-saving.

 

I am a Christian who has been washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. I presently attend a Southern Baptist church although I was saved at an Independent Fundamental Baptist church just over 40 years ago.

 

Hmmmm, so some people like shorthand?

What if I don't understand the shorthand labels like you do? What if they mean something different to me than they do to you?

Any idea of how many different philosophies a "conservative" may have?

How about those of a Baptist? I have recently found out that there are as many breeds of Baptist as their are of horses. I also discovered that there are different breeds of Southern Baptist.

I also found out that there are Southern Baptists who believe in the gift of tongues. I never knew that, either. They also can believe in Election by God unto salvation.

Is anyone aware of those who call themselves Christian who do not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God? I didn't until I read a book by a preacher who made that statement.

Labels are deceiving, and they cause much more strife than they are worth for whatever value they hold as "shorthand."

If you want to know what I believe, I guess you'd have to ask me. I don't know what label to use for myself, since I used to think that I believed the "fundamentals." Now, if I say that, I am automatically called a "looney toon."

I stated that I believe that the Bible says about God calling me to Jesus - and now I find that I am a scourge to the Christain faith.

I also believe what the Bible says about drinking wine, and now I find out that I am a drunkard needing to justify my problem.

See what I learned on this BB because of labels?

 

I am a Calvinist, and honored and thankful to be called one.

 

I'd say it's the most useful one. I could say Christian, but that doesn't really tell you much, does it?