Subtitle: Not a simple question… including what really is a Christian?

Excerpt: Article humorously compares Christian denominations’ light bulb changing perspectives, then emphasizes salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Author: Jeff Hilles

Words of Wisdom from the BeliefNet – A new take on an old question …

• Charismatic: Only 1 – Hands are already in the air. 
• Pentecostal: 10 – One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. 
• Presbyterians: None – Lights will go on and off at predestined times. 
• Roman Catholic: None – Candles only. (Of guaranteed origin of course.) 
• Baptists: At least 15 – One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken. 
• Episcopalians: 3 – One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one was. 
• Mormons: 5 – One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it. 
• Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life, and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence. 
• Methodists: Undetermined – Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass. 
• Nazarene: 6 – One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy. 
• Lutherans: None – Lutherans don’t believe in change. 
• Amish: What’s a light bulb?
  

Of course, as amusing as this may seem, the title of this post is inaccurate. At the very least, Roman Catholic (works-based salvation), Mormon (works-based salvation), and Unitarian (rejection of Jesus as God) beliefs are not Christian in the sense that strict adherence to these false teachings will never result in eternal life in Heaven. Regardless of how harsh or legalistic this may sound, the Lord is clear that we must come to Him by way of His grace and solely by our faith in Jesus Christ.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words

Distributed by – BCWorldview.org