ADAM2.ORG - Updated September 20, 2022 — Pew's Latest Study Of The Religious Trends In America Do Not Bode Well For Christianity. I've always had a problem with that term ever since learning many many years ago we did not coin it. It was then and remains a derisive term imposed upon us by the world. Recall its origins from your ACTS' study? It was the pagan who labeled us in the city of Antioch in the early days of the church and the spread of Christ's Gospel following His Ascension. It was the Jewish King Agrippa who used it when excusing himself from becoming one to Paul. To be fair, Paul did use it once. Therefore, it is used only 3 times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and I Pe.4:16. There is a better, more Biblically sound, term used to identify the person who has placed their faith in Jesus--the term saint, or collectively, saints. One will find this term used frequently—some 60+ times—in the New Testament by believers in referring to one another. You will find Paul using it almost exclusively when saluting other believers. Here are but 2 examples: Ephesians 1:1, when writing to the church at Ephesus, and Philippians 4:21, when writing to the church at Philippi. However, as with many Biblical terms conscripted by a corrupted people, saint has been used to drive a wedge between believers for almost 2,000 years. Just remember, saint is not an office, gift or calling as the Catholic Church has narrowly employed it—unless used to refer to one's calling into Christ's Kingdom. This is prima facie proof it was never meant to divide or segregate believers. It is closely associated with being or becoming sanctified, set apart, holy in Christ. Saint and sanctified go hand in hand—inseparable! There is no rank among believers—all being made one, equal, unified. If you are still searching for an alternative to Christian, there is yet another Biblical term of some choice, although it refers more to a role in Christ rather than one's position in Christ—as saint does. Never once calling himself Christian, Paul used the term, ambassador, to describe his life and life's work in Christ. Choosing not to make a distinction between himself and his converts, he equally applied the term, ambassadors, to any and all believers in Christ regardless of their birth dates. Following the first century the church was counterfeited and the term Christian, although they coined it, has stuck in the craw of the fallen world ever since. One has to look beyond the walls of the church as the world sees it to see the true representative of Christ here on Earth. Until His true representatives, or ambassadors as scripture calls us, step from the shadows of the worldly church, the Gospel will continue to diminish in scope and effectiveness. I for one look forward to that day and His Light can truly light the world for a great turning and returning to Him--which will come just as prophesied. I am a follower, not a model of Christ. I have not yet attained. The Potter still molds the heavenly clay. When the heavenly clay is fully formed— then a model—fashioned and fit, He shall lay the earthly down and take up the heavenly. In time, as the scripture says, I shall be like Him. Jesus referred to Himself as The Good Shepherd and those who follow him He lovingly called His sheep. Therefore, I am a member of His flock, or, fold, sanctified thus a saint in His Kingdom. You might say, Ken, all of this is a distinction without a difference--Christian, saint, ambassador, sheep--no difference. That's where you're wrong. Christian was given us by the world. Ambassador can be one to any higher authority. Sheep can be a follower of any cause. But saint?, that's one wholly set apart unto God, sanctified and made holy by the blood of Jesus. That, my friends cannot be counterfeited! So, you conclude anyway you like the term Christian? As you will, but do you really want to be identified with those today's world calls, Christian? The world loves the Christian in whom there is no distinction from themselves—Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, et alia. It hates only the one wherein distinction and difference lies—holiness, the Light of Christ. The majority who call themselves Christian are not. If you ask for proof I tell you look no further than the poll at hand. It's numbers bear this out. We have been told in scripture there would be a "great falling away" before the end. What is happening today is merely evidence of what has begun as the Bible predicted. Jesus said there would be many who call Him, Lord, but He tells us not all will be His. Today, many call themselves, Christian, but they are finding themselves at odds with the required inherent characteristics of a saint. They can no longer abide because they are unwilling to mend their ways. Sin and the admission and repentance of it is not in their nature. Example: __________; you fill in the blank. Here's just one. Eliza Campbell, of Utah, refuses to accept the teachings of her faith, claiming they are at loggerheads with her own self-identity: "For me, especially, when I started to come out as queer, it became impossible for me to reconcile this church that was basically admitting that they wanted kids like me dead or suicidal. I decided I had to choose myself and choose my well-being." So, let the counterfeit recede in order for the genuine to emerge that we may once again turn the world upside down for Christ. This finding should not worry the genuine saint, only to awaken them to the lateness of the hour. The Bride is at the Door. Soon He shall knock and only those called saints, those He has set apart, sanctified, shall be invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

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