I tried looking up imitate in the KJV - it does not exist, nor does imitator, imitation, or imitating. I could not find that we are "to be like Christ" either. What I did find is that we are to have the mind of Christ, which means our mind is to be transformed and renewed. We are also to be examples of Christ, friends of His, servants to Him, to follow Him, to look unto Him.
Here are just a few of many verses we could list that say something about us being like Christ. Every single one of these verses either commands imitation of Christ, or puts it in a positive light.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
1 Thessalonians 1:6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord,
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
1 John 3:2 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
Matthew 10:23-25 3 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. 24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.
John 13:15-16 5 "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
Matthew 20:26-28 26 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
It is interesting that you say we are "to follow him." If you look back at what I have said, I said that is exactly what "be a little Christ" means in typical Baptist usage.
Pastor Larry wrote:
Unless you can show me a specific scripture that says, "calleth not thou thyselves little Christs; for such is blasphemy" then you can only offer YOUR OPINION on the phrase. And you have done that! With that I shall lay down my sword and go study!
Pastor Larry didn't write that. But your cited verses don't answer it anyway.
As for Sharpsword:
Precisely what would my "background" be? You have NEVER dialogued with me nor asked what I believe or why, nor what my background is. Your statement is presumptuous and inappropriate.
My statement is neither presumptuous nor inappropriate. You overreacted rather than controlling your emotions. "Your background" is obviously different than mine since you see something sinister in this phrase. In my background, the term "little Christ" means a follower of Christ. In your background, it means something different. Relax and don't fly off the handle.
I have never in my life been involved as a charismatic, pentecostal, catholic or other wise! It is common knowledge that the term little christs is synonymous with the little gods heresy. And many people embrace it..in fact it is a Biblical concept....
It is not common knowledge. I am telling you that I have been in church for more than 30 years missing fewer Sundays than you can count on one hand, when to a CHristian school, a Christian high school, a Christian college, and Seminary. I have read widely from all perspectives of Christianity both ancient and modern. I have talked to Charismatics and read some of their writings. I have never heard that. They may use it that way ... but it is not common knowledge. Remember that your mind doesn't get to determine what is common.
Second, the term is not synonymous with the littel gods heresy. Some may use it that way, but that doesn't mean it is synonymous.
The onus was on you and Charles to provide the Scriptural foundation for the term "little christs." Not opinion. Not tradition of men. Not some sermon notes. Scripture!
Why isn't the onus on you to say that we can't use it in an appropriate way? Proving something is not said is usually a bad way to argue. You can't find scriptural foundation for the use of Trinity, and many other theological terms that you accept. You need to realize that "little Christs" is a phrase that apparently means different things to different people. In your background, it means one thing. In other people's backgrounds it means something else.
The onus was on Charles to provide the Greek definition with the words to show the legitimacy of his proclaimed statement that Christian or Christianos means 'little Christs.' Because he said it was translated in that way, and there is no source that I can find. I requested him to prove and provide A published source.
He nor you have provided either. Again.
I already addressed this. It is irrrelevant from my perspective because I am not using the Greek to defend it or deny it. It is term that recognizes a valid biblical principle that we are to be like Christ, or in the words of Rom 8, we are to be conformed to his image.
You are making a mountian out of a mole hill. If you don't like the term, then don't use it. How easy is that? I don't use the term. I haven't in years. But if I were to, I would explain it biblically. Don't get bent out of shape at others.
