Why I L-O-V-E Being Evangelical

[Rey Reynoso]

1. This branch is named after our foundation (The Gospel of God). It's even better when you add Christianity to it! (1 Corinthians 1:17; Acts 4:12)
2. I have a theology that says that I am saved, right now, by grace through faith. No wishful thinking; just the sure hope of the glorious expectation (Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; John 3; Romans 10:9; Heb 10:39).
3. I've got real power in my corner (2 Corinthians 4:6-8; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:7)
4. I'm allowed tounderstand and implement Christ's mission to the apostles (Matt 28:19)
5. I'm allowed to understand and implement the apostolic mandate and teaching (Hold fast the message; Keep the message; Preach the message—2 Tim 1; 4)
6. I only have three fathers: Dad, Abraham and God. (Romans 4:12; John 20:17)
7. The Church (not just some corner of it) really has existed for 2000 years—I don't have to draw lines (Eph 3).
8. I (with all fellow believers) am really part of the Church of Christ; covered by his blood; risen in Him (Eph 4, Col 2)
9. I don't have to reinvent history or implement hierarchies, to maximize my worth or position: Christ has done that already (Col 2, 3; Eph 2)
10. I can celebrate the fact that Christians can believe different things and be part of the same body (Romans 14).
11. I don't need vestments; I'm robed in Armor and in Christ! (Eph 6; Galatians 3:27)
12. I know that I'm a priest, a saint, a child and a father and don't have to wait until I'm "dead" to find out (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:2; 1 John 2:12-14)
13. I can obey Christ and remember him joyfully by personally breaking the loaf and blessing the cup (1 Cor 11)
14. I don't need paraphernalia, props or even other people to help me pray (it's not like any of us really know how to pray anyway). I have the Third Person of the Trinity who prays with me and the second person of the Trinity making intercession for me, and boldly I enter into the very throne room of God (Rom 8; Hebrews 10:19-22)
15. I worship God just as God wants me to worship Him: in the Spirit of God, thanking the Father and fixing my eyes on the Lamb Who Was Slain who alone is worthy to receive all Praise (John 4; Rev 5)
16. I don't venerate objects (or reality through an object) and am totally okay with it. (Eph 3:14; Phi 2:10; Rom 14:11. Matt 4:10; Rev 19:10; 22:9)
17. I know that my mind is just as important as my heart—and am encouraged to use them both (Matt. 22:37)
18. I'm encouraged to examine everything—including myself (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Galatians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:5)
19. I can promote true conviction and dissenting opinions (Rom 15)
20. When I make a chart, graph or list, I can cite the Bible with impunity.

[xulon]

Were the numbers deliberate?

[Rey Reynoso]

Ning still has this stupid glitch that if you make an ordered list and get to the double digits, it automatically drops the tenth spot. So annoying.

[xulon]

Stupid glitch.

Good list, though.

[Marv]

Didn't Irenaeus say someting like that.... ;-)

[ScottL]

Good stuff, Rey. Of course, I might quibble just a little bit on #7, in that I think God's ekklesia has existed since He had a people from the beginning. :)

This list reminds me of one put up by Kevin DeYoung the other day about the Word. You might like it.

[Rey Reynoso]

See, Scott, even though I know you're wrong we have number 10 on our side; we're still family.

The Kevin DeYong thing links to your blogpost on the Gospel.

[ScottL]

But, Rey, I'm always wrong. I'm usually so wrong that I must be outside the family now, or getting pretty close.

Oh sorry about that. Maybe it's a sign from God. :)

Here is the real link.

[Rey Reynoso]

Hey, that's a nice post.

[Ratatösk]

Hah! I've got 10 comments and you've only got ni...

"Doh!"

[Rey Reynoso]

ROFL. That was awesome.