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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
unique thing. None who are really chose to be, but were born into it—raised a particular way, as a part of a
particular family and culture. Hence we speak differently, cook differently, and have unique colloquialisms and
customs. I recall Brother Hilliard saying to me after visiting here “it is a whole another country.” These things define
us, they are who we are, thus we die as Cajuns. We must keep in mind, however, that the same could be said of
most people in most places. Those of Boston also have uniqueness, as well as those in Texas and Arkansas.
Interestingly enough, the Bible describes Christianity in much the same manner: In 1 Peter 2:9 we read, “ye are an
elect race…a people for God’s own possession.” Jesus, in Mark 3:31-35, described those who do the will of the
Father as being brothers, sisters, mothers, etc. Peter also writes that those of the world “think” us “strange” (1 Pet 4:
4). No doubt, Christians are unique people. Hence we speak a certain way having certain sayings like: holy,
sanctification, upright, redemption, authority, etc. However, there seems to be a problem in Christians understanding
exactly who we are, or at least who we are supposed to be. In addition, the world fails to understand how we became
the people we are. I suggest that if we look to the pages of inspiration these two problems can be overcome.
It may seem odd to some, but I chose to work this in a backward fashion; meaning, I will first discuss who
Christians are, then discuss how Christians became who they are. First, then, who are we?
Paul wrote to the Romans that Christians are those who have the “free gift of God…eternal life” (6:23). This
defines both the church as a whole and Christians as individuals. In fact, the two are absolutely contingent. The term
church is translated from the Greek term ekklesia, which is a compound word derived from ek, meaning out and
kaleo, meaning to call or summon. Hence the church is the called out people. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 describes this
calling as being done through the gospel (cf. Mrk 16:15). Those who obey the calling, believing and being baptized,
as individuals are saved, thus have “eternal life,” yet are added to the church by the Lord (Ac 2:47), hence are a
part of the called out family. We read in Acts 2:41 that many, as individuals, “received the word and were baptized.”
Verse 47 says that at this same point the Lord added them to the church. All who have fellowship with God, which
comes through keeping His commandments, have fellowship with one another in the body of Christ (cf. Eph 1:22, 23;
1 Jn 1:3).
Not only are Christians people who have “eternal life,” but also Christians are they who have “died with Christ” to
“live with him” (Rom 6:8); those who are “dead unto sin, but alive unto God” (v.11); those who do not “obey the
lusts” of “sin” (v.12); those whose “members are instruments of righteousness” (v.13). In essence we are a people
who view sin in its true position of heinousness, and who view works of righteousness ordained by God to be done
(Eph 2:10), not works of merit (Eph 2:8, 9), as being the only way to a home in heaven (Heb 5:8, 9).
Now, then, how did we get to be who we are?
Romans 6:17 reads, “but thanks be to God, that whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient form the
heart to that pattern of teaching whereunto ye were delivered.” The teaching about he speaks we know, from 1
Corinthians 15:3, to be the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. But this a person cannot obey. Hence the
apostle writes that those at Rome obeyed a “pattern of the teaching.” In this freedom was granted from the bondage
of sin, and life was given. But what is that “pattern” about which he speaks? The pattern is described in verses three
through seven: “All we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death.” Remember, a part of the
teaching is the death of Christ. We obey a “pattern” of it by being “baptized into His death.” The apostle continues,
“We were buried therefore with Him through baptism into death” (v.4); there is the burial. “That like as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life…we have become
united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this that our
old man was crucified with him” (vs.4-6); there is the resurrection. Though we cannot obey the actual death, burial
and resurrection of Christ, we can obey a pattern of it, thus being saved. Notice carefully the words of Peter, “the
pattern whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet 3:
21).
Just as one was born Cajun so must one be born Christian. This birth is not physical, but spiritual, “who were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn 1:13; cf. 3:3-5; 1 Pet 1:18-23).
As such we grow to learn how we ought to behave, speak and think. Who are you?