Set up to help Christians help other Christians who are facing persecution, Barnabas Fund (BF) is constantly asked the question: ‘Who is a Christian?’
Sometimes the implication of the question is that only those belonging to a particular type of church can be a Christian. As a Bible-based organisation, BF refuses to go along with that. People are saved on the basis of faith in Christ alone, not on the basis of whether they belong to a particular church or denomination. Neither can it be said on the basis of Scripture that belonging to a particular church prevents someone from coming to faith in Christ, even though there may be real differences with the teaching of some churches. Thankfully God is bigger than that, otherwise those such as John Wycliffe and Martin Luther might not have come to faith.
People of faith
In the OT, many ordinary people had a real faith and trust in God, e.g. Hannah (1 Samuel 1.10-18). The key word used in the NT to identify Jesus’ first followers was ‘disciple’, a term that Jesus specifically defined as people willing to carry their own cross to follow him (Luke 14.27). Jesus did not, of course, mean that all will literally have to die a martyr’s death to be saved, but to be his disciple we have to be willing to do so. That, according to Jesus, is the true litmus test of discipleship.
Prepared to die for faith
So, when BF sees people who are prepared to die rather than deny Christ, they are supported, regardless of which church they belong to. Because that is what Scripture commands (I John 3.16-18). True discipleship is not based on simply believing the right things (John 3.16), but also doing the right things (Matthew 6.14-15; Luke 14.33). So, with Asia Bibi in Pakistan, who despite having been falsely accused of blasphemy precisely because she is a Christian has nonetheless publicly forgiven those who falsely accused her, there is the evidence of God at work.
Ultimately, God alone knows those who are his and he will separate the wheat from the tares on the day of judgment (Matthew 13.24-30). In the meantime, if someone suffers because they bear the name of Christ, BF will seek to help them.
There will doubtless be some people in heaven that we didn’t expect to see there – and perhaps also some missing that we might have expected. But in the meantime, BF will seek to be generous in our compassion to all those who suffer because they bear the name of Christ.
