CHRISTIANITY AND ANGLICALISM

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What is Christianity? 

It is a big question. We are glad that you are interested in it. As part of the Christian Church throughout the Country in India, we are dedicated to sharing with all who ask about what the Christian message is and what it means to be a Christian. We believe the Christian message of God’s mercy and grace for people powerfully manifested in the person of Jesus Christ is amazing and life-changing news. If you live near by Safe India Missionary diocese congregation, we would encourage you to connect with one of our leaders there to talk more about it. 

The God created the world and made us to be in loving relationship with him. However, created good human nature became fatally flawed and we are now all out of step with God. In Bible language, we are sinners, guilty before God and separated from him.

The good news of the Gospel is that God took loving action in Jesus Christ to save us from this dire situation. The key facts of this divine remedy are these God the Father sent his eternal Son into this world to reconcile us to himself to free us to love and serve him and to prepare us to share his glory in the life to come. 

Our Lord Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit lived a perfect life died for our sins and rose bodily from the dead to restore us to God. Given authority by his Father Jesus now rules in heaven as King over all things and advancing God’s kingdom throughout the world. In the fullness of time, Jesus will return to establish his kingdom in its glory on earth and all things will be renewed.

Reigning in heaven over all thinking, Jesus Christ continues to draw sinners to himself. He enables us by his Holy Spirit to turn wholeheartedly from our sinful and self-centred ways repentance and to entrust ourselves to him to live in union and communion with him. Faith in spiritual terms sin is the way to death and fellowship with Christ is the way of life.

Turning to Christ brings us into fellowship with God. Baptism, which is the rite of entry into the Church’s fellowship, marks the beginning of this new life in Christ. The apostle Peter, proclaiming the Gospel said, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus.

Through faith, repentance, and Baptism we are spiritually united to Jesus and become children of God and the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 As we come to the Father through Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds and hearts to know him, and we are born again spiritually to new life. To continue to live faithfully as Christians, we must rely upon the power and gift, which the Holy Spirit gives to God’s people.

When the disciple Thomas encountered the risen Jesus, he acknowledged him by saying, {My Lord, my God} John 20:28 to be a Christian you must, like Thomas, wholeheartedly submit to the living Christ as your Lord and God. Knowing the Lord Jesus means personally believing in him surrendering your life to him through repentance and Baptism and living as one of his joyful followers. A clear way to make this commitment of faith and repentance is to offer to God a prayer in which you confess your sins to God, being as specific as possible and repent by turning from them:

Thank God for his mercy and forgiveness given to you in Jesus Christ:

Promise to follow and obey Jesus as your Lord:

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be faithful to Jesus as you grow into spiritual maturity.

One example of such a prayer is the following:

Almighty Father, I confess that I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions (especially romans 8:26). I am truly sorry and humbly repent. Thank you for forgiving my sins through the death of your Son, Jesus. I turn to you and give you my life. Fill and strengthen me with your Holy Spirit to love you, to follow Jesus as my Lord in the fellowship of his Church, and to become more like him each day. Amen.

Next Steps

To be a Christian is to be included in God’s family in the Church. No one should try to be a Christian alone. If you are making this commitment for the first time or have not been a practicing Christian for some time here are some further steps to take.

 Share your commitment as soon as possible with one or more Christians and with an ordained Priest so they can pray for you. If you are not connected with a Church, join a biblically faithful one. If you are connected but not involved look for ways to deepen your participation.

You are now becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and have never been baptized it is important that you speak with a Priest about preparing for Baptism. It is also important to pray for God’s help and spiritual protection.

You are a baptized Christian but have not been living out your faith it is appropriate for you to confess your sins and reaffirm your faith in the presence of a Priest.

In order to grow in your new life in Christ, it is vitally important that you be involved in regular worship, Bible study, prayer, and Christian fellowship.

Coming to personal faith in Christ is an important decision that is often not made quickly. If you are not yet ready to take this step but you continue to seek after God you may want to pray a prayer like the following.

My dear God, please reveal your good self to me. Draw near to me as I seek you. Open my eyes to see your truth. Show me those things in my mind and heart that keep me from faith in you. Help me to know and trust Jesus Christ, lead me to those people who can help me as I seek to know you.

God will always answer such prayers made with patience, persistence and humility.

More Information:

The Bible - The best and foundational source of all information about Christianity is the Bible. If you have never read, it before that is a great place to start. The Bible divided into 66 smaller books. Our Safe India Missionary Diocese would recommend starting with one of the Gospels, which chronicle the life of Jesus -Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Creeds - Over the history of the Christ, a Church several creeds been formed to summarize and clarify the core Christian beliefs from the Bible. 

The two used regularly in our Anglican services are the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. You can read both Creeds here.

Connect

If you are pondering to life's big spiritual questions or interested in learning more about God and faith or perhaps want to connect with others who are searching for more in life then we invite you to Anglican Network in India

Contact Us - We would love to talk to you