Nominal Christian or a Disciple (2)?
“...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Rv 3:1
Many people today in the churches are in need of evangelism though they are considered church members and call themselves Christians. These are Christians only in name and are known as nominal or traditional Christians.
Types of Nominal Christians:
1. One who attends church regularly, but has no vital personal relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. ”And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” Ezk 33:31
2. One who attends church only for major church festivals (Christmas, Easter, etc.) and ceremonies (weddings, baptisms, funerals). “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.” Mk 7:7
3. One who hardly ever attends church but maintains a church relationship for reasons of security, emotional or family ties, or tradition. “For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” Lk 7:5
4. One who has no relationship to any specific church and who never attends but yet considers himself a believer in God. “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship…” Ac 17:23
A nominal Christian does not have a relationship with God. Therefore, when he/she needs God, knowing they are not intimate, he/she will call for help from Mary, the saints or some other mediator, or run to a prophet or pastor. He/she is devoted to the tradition of the church, but his/her attitudes are established on secular principles.
The Christianity of an individual can not be based only on baptism or birth into a believing family. On the contrary, it must be rooted in the experience of a transformed heart through new birth (Jn 3:1-8) and a continuous relationship with the living God (Jn 15:1-10).
Jesus revealed to his disciples: “Now this is eternal life: That they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3). It is not enough to know about the Lord Jesus Christ; it is also necessary to know him for salvation, Christian living and eternal life. One can become a Christian by converting to God, repenting for sins, accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal Saviour and Lord, and being born of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:38).
