What is a Christian?

I read an article in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago that had one of the leading apologists for the Mormon faith defending their position that Mormons are Christians.

She gave two main reasons. First of all, Mormons read the stories of Jesus from the Bible and follow His teachings. And secondly, they believe in Jesus.

On the surface, it would seem that Mormons are Christians. They read the Bible. Christians read the Bible. They believe in Jesus. Christians believe in Jesus.

But to find out what a Christian is, we have to define terms here. I could claim to be a Chevrolet truck. I move on rubber, can go 55 miles per hour, and must have fuel. But a closer examination reveals that I move about on shoes with rubber soles, I can go 55 miles an hour when in a car and yes, I must have fuel, but it is not gasoline but food. So, upon closer examination and after defining the terms, we find out quickly that I am definitely not a Chevrolet truck.

Are Mormons Christians? Mormons claim to read the Bible. Yes, they read the Bible, but their real “bible” is the “Book of Mormon,” written by one man, Joseph Smith, in one year. It claims to be another revelation or additional words of Jesus, who came to America to preach to the lost tribe of Israel a few hundred years ago and establish the Mormon faith. They study and revere the “Book of Mormon” and get their doctrines from it. Yes, they do teach on practical living from the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, but when a Mormon says they read the Bible, that is true, but they believe in, follow and adhere to the teachings and doctrines of the “Book of Mormon.”

The Bible is 66 books written by 40 authors over 1,600 years and claims to be the FINAL and ONLY word of God and is the story of God’s redemption of man through Jesus Christ and faith in Him alone. The Bible warns us against adding to the final word of God. It tells us how to become a Christian by faith, trusting Jesus Christ alone. Christians believe the Bible is sufficient for all of man’s needs and for his salvation and redemption.

Mormons claim to believe in Jesus. We must define what Jesus they are talking about. The Jesus of the Mormons is the brother of Satan. The Jesus of the Mormons is a created being. The Jesus of the Mormons died on a cross, but it was not for man’s redemption. The Jesus of the Mormons came back to America and preached a new revelation to the lost tribe of Israel. The Jesus of the Mormons has become what each Mormon can become if they are a good enough Mormon. Mormons do not believe that Jesus is God revealed in the flesh. Mormons do not believe in the Trinity—God revealed as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that Jesus is the one and ONLY unique Son of God. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and no ending. He is Lord of all creation. He is the Savior of the world. He is the light of the world. He is our life. He died on the cross to redeem us from our sins, and He rose from the dead as proof of who He is because He loved us. Christians believe that Jesus lives at the right hand of God, ever making intercession for us. Christians believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with these three being one. Christians believe that God is revealed in the Father who dwells above us, the Son who dwelt among us and the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

So, we must conclude that once we define the terms, Mormons are not Christians because they do not follow the doctrines and teachings of the Bible alone and have added to the word of God. We must conclude even though Mormons believe in Jesus, the Jesus of the Mormons is not the Jesus of Christianity. Therefore, we conclude without a doubt that Mormons are not in any sense Christian…but a false religion preaching another Jesus that the apostle Paul warned us about.

Watch sermons and read sermon texts and other articles by going to www.tomahawkmbc.com. Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons on WSIP FM 98.9 every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Watch his sermons on Facebook by going to his page, “Jack Ward.”

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