Authenticity is a big word in the news as of late. People are trying to prove that they are real and others are working to prove that they are fake. We see it in politics where some are considered “Republicans in name only” because they do maintain a pattern of “sound” conservative principles. We have also seen it with the visit of the Pope as the distinction between those who identify as Roman Catholics but do not embrace all of the church’s teaching. Then there is the back and forth between the Republican presidential candidates about whether or not someone is really a Christian or not. Is President Obama really a Christian or is he one in name only? Is Donald Trump truly a Christian or is it simply in name only? Is Ben Carson a Christian or is it just in name only?
This brings us to an important question. Who gets to say who is in fact a Christian? Does anyone have this authority?
In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus asks those following him a very important question.
“…”Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”” (Matthew 16:13)
There were a bevy of ideas floating around (not unlike today), however, Jesus wanted to drill down and see what those who were following him believed. So he asked more specifically:
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”” (Matthew 16:15)
Peter, speaking immediately and confidently, said,
“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”” (Matthew 16:16)
Peter nailed it. He makes the great confession of faith. And Jesus responds with affirming words:
“And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” (Matthew 16:17-20)
Jesus gives the keys to those who make this great confession (that Jesus is the Christ). What do keys do? They open and close, they bind and loose. In other words, it is by this great profession of faith that one says “I am with Jesus.” However, notice the job of those with the keys. They are opening and closing access based upon the profession of faith. In other words, those who confess biblical faith in Jesus are identified and welcomed as his followers. It is examined and affirmed by other followers of Christ in a local church.
We see this same language on the other side in Matthew 18. Here Jesus is speaking about those whose profession of faith (I’m with Jesus) does not line up with their demonstration of faith (their life). Here the church, those who make the great profession, actually have the obligation to call the brother or sister into account if they persist in sin (denying their allegiance to Jesus). If they fail to listen to the church they are to be put out of the fellowship.
“”If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”” (Matthew 18:15-20)
Notice again the language of binding and loosening. Whether in the front door of membership or the back door of discipline the congregation examines the profession of faith to see its validity. It is here, among those with the keys, that Jesus is dwelling with those who make such a profession and follow him. The church is made up of those who say, “I’m with Jesus.” And Jesus is there with the church.
Therefore, when we get bombarded with all of these questions about Trump, Carson, Huckabee, etc and whether or not they are really Christians, I have one simple question: Is there a group of believers, a church that stands behind them and says, “We vouch for him”? It would seem that anyone could use Jesus’ spiritual wifi signal and say “I’m on the network.” It’s public and open. However, when we read the Bible we see that it is not just what we say but what others say. Does anyone actually stand behind them? And, if so, what does that church believe? The questions of doctrine, confession of faith, and church membership should be pretty straightforward and clear. However, without a healthy local church we are left with all kinds of individuals orbiting about with their own expressions of spirituality. They are untethered from any confession, accountability, and affirmation.
When all of these questions of whether or not someone is a “real” Christian, I have one question, “Are you a member in good standing with a local church?”
