Knowing Who We Are As Christians
To say that you are a Christian is one thing, but to know who you are in Christ is another. As a born again believer in the Kingdom of God, you are now a "Representative" of the most high. Therefore, you should be able to demonstrate to the lost and the unsaved and to other Christians, what you stand for. Some helpful facts are presented below, for educational purposes.
Poverty & Financial Stability
It has been taught for many years that holiness and poverty go hand in hand. The apostle Paul said, "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound." Then he added, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:12, 13). You can be just as holy when you are financially comfortable as you can be when you are poor. If Christians sanctify God in their hearts ahead of material concern, they should be able to live above their circumstances whether that involves prosperity or poverty.
It should be known that Poverty is a curse, not a blessing. Not to be confused with the lifestyle that Jesus himself lived, while He was on earth. The lifestyle that Jesus choose was one of "Humility" and not "Poverty". Poverty is certainly not related to righteousness and is sometimes caused because of the horrors of war, or sometimes because of unjust or unwise government, or sometimes because of oppression by the greedy and the ruthless, or sometimes because of disobedience to God's commandments, and sometimes because of lack of knowledge of God's principles of blessing.
In the case of a "Vow of Poverty", that decision is by choice and not due to any detrimental unforeseen circumstances. The Vow of Poverty is for that person to give themselves totally to God, to do God's will. In that situation, poverty becomes a blessing for that person, because they have given up material riches for God. However, simply being poor is not a sign of holiness. Of course, neither is being wealthy. Godly people are those who are content wherever God has placed them and who are serving Him to the best of their abilities, irrespective of material circumstances (1 Tim. 6:6, 17-19).
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Amish People & Jewish People According to many religious beliefs of traditional Christian churches today, there seems to be a concept of not regarding the Jews as part of the Christian heritage and some of the traditions that Amish people believe in, as important. |
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In a brief history of Amish people, it should be known that this article will only deal with the main identity and concept of Amish people and not various diverse groups. Just like Christianity, there are many sects of Amish people with different views of what they believe. The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. In short, Amish beliefs hold much in common with the Mennonites, from whom they originated. Many Amish beliefs and customs come from the Ordnung, a set of oral rules for living handed down from generation to generation:
* Baptism: As Anabaptists, Amish practice adult baptism, or what they call "believer's baptism," because the person is old enough to choose what they believe in.
* Bible - The Amish see the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
* Eternal Security - Amish are zealous about humility. They hold that personal belief in eternal security is a sign of arrogance. They reject this doctrine.
* Evangelism - Originally, the Amish evangelized, as do most Christian denominations, but over the years seeking converts and spreading the gospel became less and
less of a priority, to the point that it is not done at all today.
* Separation - Isolating themselves from the rest of society is one of the key Amish beliefs. They think secular culture has a polluting effect and, therefore, to avoid
the use of television, radios, computers, and modern appliances, they do not hook up to the electrical grid.
* Jesus Christ - Amish believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, died for humanity's sins, and was bodily resurrected from the dead.
* Worship Service - Amish conduct worship services in each others' homes, on alternating Sundays. On other Sundays, they visit neighboring congregations, family, or
friends.
* Baptism: As Anabaptists, Amish practice adult baptism, or what they call "believer's baptism," because the person is old enough to choose what they believe in.
* Bible - The Amish see the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
* Eternal Security - Amish are zealous about humility. They hold that personal belief in eternal security is a sign of arrogance. They reject this doctrine.
* Evangelism - Originally, the Amish evangelized, as do most Christian denominations, but over the years seeking converts and spreading the gospel became less and
less of a priority, to the point that it is not done at all today.
* Separation - Isolating themselves from the rest of society is one of the key Amish beliefs. They think secular culture has a polluting effect and, therefore, to avoid
the use of television, radios, computers, and modern appliances, they do not hook up to the electrical grid.
* Jesus Christ - Amish believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, died for humanity's sins, and was bodily resurrected from the dead.
* Worship Service - Amish conduct worship services in each others' homes, on alternating Sundays. On other Sundays, they visit neighboring congregations, family, or
friends.
Jewish People
Jews originated as a national and religious group in the Middle East during the second millennium BCE, in the part of the Levant known as the Land of Israel. The Merneptah Stele appears to confirm the existence of a people of Israel, associated with the god El, somewhere in Canaan as far back as the 13th century BCE (Late Bronze Age). The Israelites, as an outgrowth of the Canaanite population, consolidated their hold with the emergence of the Kingdom of Israel, and the Kingdom of Judah. Some consider that these Canaanite sedentary Israelites melded with incoming nomadic groups known as 'Hebrews'. Though few sources in the Bible mention the exilic periods in detail,[24] the experience of diaspora life, from the Ancient Egyptian rule over the Levant, to Assyrian Captivity and Exile, to Babylonian Captivity and Exile, to Seleucid Imperial rule, to the Roman occupation, and the historical relations between Israelites and their homeland, became a major feature of Jewish history, identity and memory.
Jews originated as a national and religious group in the Middle East during the second millennium BCE, in the part of the Levant known as the Land of Israel. The Merneptah Stele appears to confirm the existence of a people of Israel, associated with the god El, somewhere in Canaan as far back as the 13th century BCE (Late Bronze Age). The Israelites, as an outgrowth of the Canaanite population, consolidated their hold with the emergence of the Kingdom of Israel, and the Kingdom of Judah. Some consider that these Canaanite sedentary Israelites melded with incoming nomadic groups known as 'Hebrews'. Though few sources in the Bible mention the exilic periods in detail,[24] the experience of diaspora life, from the Ancient Egyptian rule over the Levant, to Assyrian Captivity and Exile, to Babylonian Captivity and Exile, to Seleucid Imperial rule, to the Roman occupation, and the historical relations between Israelites and their homeland, became a major feature of Jewish history, identity and memory.
Christianity
Is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion followers, or 33% of the global population, known as Christians. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity whose coming as the Messiah (the Christ) was prophesied in the Old Testament.
Christian theology is summarized in various creeds. These professions of faith state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, descended into hell, and rose from the dead, in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust in him for the remission of their sins. The creeds further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven, where he reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and that he will return to judge the living and the dead and grant eternal life to his followers.
Is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion followers, or 33% of the global population, known as Christians. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity whose coming as the Messiah (the Christ) was prophesied in the Old Testament.
Christian theology is summarized in various creeds. These professions of faith state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, descended into hell, and rose from the dead, in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust in him for the remission of their sins. The creeds further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven, where he reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and that he will return to judge the living and the dead and grant eternal life to his followers.