Phoenix tribune., 1923-12-15


'ceived the of Christians Acts 11:26.
The disciples of Christ did not themselves.
Like the Methodists, they named by Others The
people who first called them Christians heathen.
Whether not the given in derision, are
not informed but do know they would not have been
called Christians had they not talked much of Christ be-
lieved firmly in His teachings and lived according to
what they believed Therefore, it is safe to say that to
make Christian one must have creed, experience
and life.
l. A Christian is person with a creed A person
who has accepted the teaching that Jesus of Nazareth
also the Christ of God That in His life He showed men
how to live above the world in His death was revealed
the love of God it cannot be found any where ese
His resurrection we have proof unfaing of His divinity
and the that AS thru Adam all die also
through Christ all will be made alive again.
There those who say matters nothing what YOU
believe long you live right. But how this be?
Who ever drank pure water from impure spring.
gathered grapes from homs figs from thstles? The
fact is the church must have docrinal fence around it
and not be left the open prairie with nothing ward
off the winds of religious fanaticm and myriad ads of
doctrine.
In 1888 when the ''stars fell'' man was aroused
from his bed by the alarm He rushed and saw many
stars falling enough. But, gazing beyond these he
saw the old consultations in their accustomed places
He hereupon went back to his bed satisfied Christian
Science, Sprltuallsm Russeism, TheOsophy and what
not may denounce all creedal belief; but, when these
vagares and fd have ceased be- the churches that
grounded in the old familiar faththe institutions that
have conceived developed and put every movement
and reform for the benefit of mankind-wil continue to
function to the glory of God Their beneficence will con
tinue because of what they believe formal statement
of what Christians believe is creed Chris
tan, therefore, is person with creed
IL. Christian is person with experience. The
things learned the pra gers answered. the doubts remov
ed, the opportunities mproved-hese things constitute
ones experience In other Words creed is the ladder by
which climb to God Experience is what learn by
climbing. Those who contend that Christians whole
equipment creed leave off that which makes the creed
necessary The best possible creed cannot contribute
spiritual welfare unless reduced to experience Faith
ergzed gives experience without which never
know the value Of faith.
Ill. A Christian is a person with life-our rei-
giOn must be lived One truth lived is worth than
thousand believed and not lived. Religion cenered in
the heart will radiate through and control the whole life
l. 1t will control the tongue. None but God knows
the evil that is done by this little but unry member
Character is besmirched social political and business
standing ruined; lives sacrificed because refuse to
live their religion Much of the friction in this
try would not be if members of both sides would let their
religion show in controlled tongues. There would be
nothing said in public private that would engender
bad feeling and ncite to riot and blood-shed Neither
would white men give voice to argument calculated to
show that Negroes should not have every citizenship ad
vantage claimed by themselves educationaly, econom-
cally, ndustrally, politically and otherwise
2 1t will control the hands. Religion, radiating
through the hands, will not allow to take that which
does not belong to him. Violent hands will not be laid
on anyone save in self defense Religion, controlling the
hands, will make them ready to aid in every possible way
those who stand in need Religious hands do whatever
they find to do wherever occasion gives the opportunity
B. 1t will control the feet. Quick to answer duty's
call are the feet OF Christian How could they do else
when Jesus feet took Him wherever there were human
suffering and need? If let religion radiate thru
our feet, shall be found only where opportunity is
afforded to help brother regardless of his nationality
Note please, the Christian is like unto fruit tree
Greed is the root experience the flower and life the fruit
He who has creed and experience the tree bloom
He who has creed experience and life, the tree bear
ing luscious fruit
Because many of us have creed and experience
only lives not fruitful AS result the church
IS has
repute May ministers and members of the Christian
church, regardless of name, get in such relations to
Master that our creed experience and life may give us
right to the most exalted title and station possible hui
eXiStence-that of Christian