“Evangelical” is quickly becoming a hot term used to describe (at times in the form of an accusation of) the personal beliefs of some of the Presidential candidates.

So what does it mean exactly? Where did the term come from? What do evangelicals believe and just as important what actions should we expect from an “evangelical” President.

First let me say this, I am neither promoting nor degrading any one Presidential candidate. My intent is to clear up the muddy water that is surrounding the beliefs and statements made by the press and some of the candidates about their core beliefs on which they stand. We need to look deeper than just the words, so as to make an informed decision about the motives of what each candidate does and why.

“Evangelical” is a somewhat recent term (about 150 years old) which refers to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith which leads to being “born again”(John 3:3-8). It is believing and accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah and all the while (and this is big), living a life that symbolizes that.

The fact is that we can have a relationship with Christ through faith, but without actions, without a life style to support that faith, it is dead. It is not real. Many Candidates claim to have a “Christian” agenda but neither their words nor their actions support that claim. I will talk about those actions shortly.

The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word “Gospel” or “Good News”.  An Evangelical is simply a follower of Jesus Christ that lives out Christ’s teachings in everyday life. They spread the “Good News” of God’s plan to have eternal life in heaven and to live life to the utmost while here on earth. This is extended to ALL who accept him.

The following are the core beliefs of someone that has lately come to be described as “Evangelical”

1.       The Bible is infallible, it is without error. (which teaches the union of one women to one man)

2.       Salvation (Salvation being saved or delivered from the punishment or suffering of wrong doings) comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6) Let me add this… “ALL have sinned and come short”  (Romans 3:23)

3.       Individuals (Above the age of accountability- I’ll leave this to explain another day) must personally trust Jesus Christ.

4.        Christians should be publically baptized by immersion (baptized is from the Greek word “Baptizo” and means to “cover wholly”) (Matthew 3:13-17, John 1:26, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41…)

5.        Christians are commissioned and commanded to evangelize (tell others) about Christ and His “Good News”  Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8)

 

Now judge for yourself (Matthew 7:20) who is an evangelical and if you want an evangelical as President of our United States.   

For further information on “Evangelical” you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism.

Thank You  

Pastor Larry