#CHURCHTALK 32: How do Angels describe Christianity?

There are so many opinions about what Christianity is. While some people describe it as a religion, others say it is not, and describe it as a personal relationship with God.

On the other hand, secular society and governments describe Christianity as one of the religions that are practiced in the world. According to data published by Pew Research, as at 2015, there were about 2.3 billion Christians out of a total world population of 7.3 billion, representing 31% of people living in the world. Consequently, it is regarded as the largest religious faith on earth. 

However, Pew Research identified these 2.3 billion people as Christians primarily based on birth (being born by Christian mothers). But it is expected that a large portion of them also self-identify as Christians in addition to being born by Christian mothers, and that some do not particularly self-identify as Christians nor do they actively practice Christianity or any other religious faith, despite being born by Christian mothers. 

Christianity as a religion

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines religion in different ways: As a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices OR a commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.

Indeed, in Christianity, there are institutionalized systems of religious attitudes. For example, corporate/private prayer sessions, emotional and soulful singing (called worship), etc. There is also a system of beliefs and practices. For example, you cannot possibly be a Christian and not believe in the existence of the Trinity; the person, Sonship and Godhead of Jesus Christ; the immaculate conception of Jesus; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; or the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Christ.

Christianity also involves a commitment or devotion to these beliefs, which reveals their essence and makes them a religious faith. 

Anything that you devote yourself to, you do religiously. If you wake up every morning to go for a jog, then you're doing so religiously. So also, if you pray always "in the name of Jesus Christ", you do so religiously as well. The only difference between the two is that while God is the object of your action in the latter case, He is not in the former case. Hence the latter is known as a religious practice or observance.

Christianity as a personal relationship with God 

This position is often stated by those (mostly Christians) who seek to differentiate Christianity from all other "religions" of the world, and who also seek to highlight the deeply personal approach to the worship of God which is espostulated by New Testament teachings in the Bible.

Such people emphasize that Christianity is not a set of rules that are to be religiously followed to the letter by all believers, but is rather a relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who died sacrificially for the individual sins of all men (even those who were not born at the time of His death).

They do not say that there are no rules or systems of belief within Christianity. Instead, they say that obeying those rules and systems in themselves do not make one a Christian, but rather that it is one's personal faith in the person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and their personal walk with Him thereafter that make them Christians.

But what do the Angels say that Christianity is? 

Acts 5:19-20 [KJV] 

19. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20. Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

The angels call it a life! 

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary gives numerous definitions for the word LIFE, but I'll share three most relevant ones here:

1.   the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual

2.   spiritual existence transcending physical death

3.   a way or manner of living

Christianity involves a set of physical experiences such as reading the Bible, praying, water/Holy Spirit baptism, righteous living, etc which make up a believer's existence. 

Similarly, it involves mental experiences such as repentance, sanctification, faith, submission, etc, which also make up a believer's existence as well. 

Christianity gives deeper meaning by primarily speaking of a spiritual existence (while still alive) which transcends physical death. This is not just immortal life; it is eternal life! The very life of God Himself inside a man who has repented and believed in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

So, Christians lay claim to having the life of God inside them, causing them to live and act as He would, reflecting His character and power on the earth. And since this life is unending, not even the death of their bodies can truncate it. In death, their souls live-on with God until their bodies are raised back to immortal life and reunited with their souls to reign with Jesus Christ forever.

Finally, since Christianity espostulates a belief system, a way or manner of living is derived therefrom also. Logically, if you say that you believe one thing, but do a different thing, you would be a hypocrite, not that which you say you are.

What is Christianity to you? 

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a CNBC Africa opinion writer and civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com

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