Pastoral Note - 1st April 2007

What is an ‘evangelical’ Christian? One of the problems is that lot’s of people call themselves ‘evangelicals’. You can find people who call themselves ‘evangelical’ Roman Catholics or ‘evangelical’ Pentecostals or ‘evangelical’ Greek Orthodox.

In fact, WE are called an ‘evangelical’ church. Historically, an ‘evangelical’ was a swear word in the 16th century; a divisive word that was narrowly defined. It was a word that was used of a particular type of Christian.

At its most basic level an ‘evangelical’ is a gospel-centered Christian. In fact, the word ‘evangelical’ comes from the word ‘gospel’ or ‘good news’ in the New Testament (NT). What we need to be clear about is that not everyone who calls themselves an evangelical is a gospel-centered Christian. I say this because true ‘evangelicals’ are those whose beliefs and practices are shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:3-4; Eph.2:20; Rom.1:1-5). And at the heart of the gospel is the atoning death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, his victorious resurrection from the dead, and the call to repentance, faith and a life of discipleship. The problem is sin and judgment: it is people’s greatest need. The solution is the death of Jesus on the cross: it deals with people’s sin and judgment. Therefore, personal salvation and change in society comes through bringing men and women to faith in Jesus and his work alone. I would venture to say that many popular ‘evangelical’ groups would not hold to this gospel, because when it comes down to it, they are not Word-centered Christians.

For an ‘evangelical’ is not only a gospel-centered Christian, they are also a Bible believing Christian. For ultimately a true understanding of the gospel must come from the pages of Scripture. The second thing we need to be clear about is that not everyone who calls themselves an evangelical is a Bible believing Christian. An ‘evangelical’ is committed to the authority of the Scriptures as the Word of God on all matters of life and belief (2 Tim.3:16-17; Heb.4:12).

Firstly, it means being committed to the inspiration of Scripture as the special revelation or the very Word of God. Whenever we open up to read or hear the Bible read, we must remember that God himself speaks. It is God-breathed (2 Tim.3:16a). It is the authoritative Word that stands above every culture, belief, value, opinion, government and life. Secondly, it means being committed to the infallibility of Scripture because it is the very Word of God. If the Scriptures originate from God himself, then it would also be true to say that it is without error in its teaching, its commands and its claims. Thirdly, it means being committed to the sufficiency of Scripture because as the very Word of God it is sufficient not just in saving us (2 Tim.3:15), but sufficient for all of life (2 Tim.3:16-17).

‘Evangelical’ Christians in the true sense of the word are Christians who’s beliefs and practices are shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the written Word of God, inspired by God himself, infallible and sufficient for all of life. Are you an ‘evangelical’ Christian?

Euge