“THE UNDILUTED TRUTH ABOUT ‘CHRISTIANITY’” BY DONALD I. AND JOSIMAR SALUM

 “THE UNDILUTED TRUTH ABOUT ‘CHRISTIANITY’” BY DONALD I. AND JOSIMAR SALUM

We are not Christians as defined by religion. We are disciples—followers of Christ.

What is called “Christianity” is not what Jesus taught.

It is not the true worship of God, even though many “Christians” claim to worship Him.

It is not believing in Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures, even though many profess His name.

It is not attending church services, even though millions gather weekly around religious traditions.

So, what is Christianity?

Christianity is a religious system—a human structure that often mimics the truth but does not embody it.

It can imitate the life of Christ, but it is not His life.

It can preach about righteousness, yet often lacks the manifestation of righteousness through the Spirit.

It promotes form without transformation.

It proclaims God while often lacking His presence.

True discipleship is not Christianity. It is the outworking of Christ’s life in us through the Holy Spirit.

It is the daily walk of Christ in us—not through religion, but through revelation, intimacy, and obedience to the Spirit of Christ.

The Word of God is not just heard or spoken—it is lived.

A disciple does not merely attend services—they manifest the Kingdom of God in every area of life.

We are not called to be religious “Christians” living by the flesh. We are called to be sons of God, walking by the Spirit, revealing Christ through love, obedience, holiness, and truth.

Religion cannot produce this. Only the Spirit can.

This is the Ekklesia—those who are called out of the world system, not to practice a religion about Christ (which He neither founded nor endorses), but to walk in union with Christ, in fellowship with those who are like Him.

#ASONE

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

Revised and expanded with Scripture

By Josimar Salum

   Introduction: The Call to True Commitment

   Commitment is more than a decision; it is a covenant. According to the dictionary, it is the act of entrusting or pledging oneself to something or someone. In our case, commitment to Jesus is the voluntary surrender and binding of ourselves to God and His will.

   Ask yourself:

• Do I truly give myself, my life, and all I have to Jesus?

• Am I so bound to Him that there is no turning back?

• Is my life aligned with His mission, not just His blessings?

   Following Jesus demands total commitment to His person and His purpose. But we live in a generation of superficiality—relationships, convictions, and even faith are often shallow and disposable.

   2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV) warns that in the last days, men would be “lovers of themselves… having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

   We must ask:

• Are our friendships disposable?

• Is our faith cultural or covenantal?

• Are we members of an organization, or of Christ’s living Body?

   Many today leave churches like canceling a gym membership. When trials or offenses arise, people walk away from years of spiritual fellowship as if it meant nothing. But the call to follow Christ is not about personal comfort—it’s about covenant loyalty.

   1. A Disciple Begins with Repentance

   To be a disciple, you must first repent—a radical change of mind and direction, not just sorrow for wrong deeds, but a turning away from sin at the root.

   Isaiah 55:6–9 (NKJV):

   “Let the wicked forsake his way… Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him…”

   Repentance is not merely feeling bad for sin—it is surrendering your thoughts, worldview, and identity to God’s truth. We were not only sinners; we were sin—corrupt at the root.

   2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV):

   “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

   Jesus died to make us righteous. His call is not only to forgive but to transform us.

   Luke 24:46–47 (NKJV):

   “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…”

   Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19–21 emphasize this same truth:

• Repentance brings forgiveness

• Forgiveness brings refreshing

• Refreshing prepares us for restoration

   Repentance is the foundation of discipleship.

   2. A Disciple Believes and Loves Jesus

   Faith is more than intellectual agreement; it is trust, rooted in love.

   Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV):

   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He shall direct your paths.”

   John 3:16 (NKJV):

   “…whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

   Belief in Christ flows from love for Him. We trust only those we love. True faith does not waver with circumstances.

    Luke 10:27 (NKJV):

    “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.”

   A disciple loves God deeply and trusts Him completely.

   3. A Disciple Follows Jesus Daily

   Following Jesus isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily dying to self.

    Luke 9:23 (NKJV):

   “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

   You cannot follow Jesus and live for yourself. Discipleship is costly.

    Luke 14:26–27, 33 (NKJV):

   “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple… Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

   You cannot be His disciple unless you’re willing to lose everything for Him—reputation, possessions, relationships, even your own life.

   Mark 10:29–30 (NKJV):

   “There is no one who has left house or family… who shall not receive a hundredfold now… and in the age to come, eternal life.”

   But the reward is Christ Himself—eternal life, and fellowship with God.

   4. A Disciple Seeks God’s Kingdom First

   Discipleship is not about being blessed, but about being faithful. It is not about what we get, but who we become.

   Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):

   “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

   Many seek God for what He can give them. But true disciples seek Him because He is worthy—He is the treasure.

   Matthew 6:25–34 shows that worry has no place in the life of a disciple. God knows our needs. We must seek His Kingdom, not His provisions.

   Conclusion: Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

   Matthew 22:1–14 (NKJV):

   Jesus told of a king who prepared a wedding feast, but those invited made light of it. Some ignored the call, others mocked and killed the messengers. Only those who responded were worthy. Even then, one man came without the proper garment—he accepted the invitation, but not the transformation.

   You may be called, but if you do not come clothed in righteousness—repentant, believing, and obedient—you will be cast out.

   Final Challenge:

• Are you truly committed to Jesus, or are you a casual believer?

• Have you repented, believed, and decided to follow Him at any cost?

• Are you bound to Him in an unbreakable covenant?

   #ASONE

IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED? By Josimar Salum

IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED? By Josimar Salum

 “Behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot was reading the prophet Isaiah.

 Then the Spirit said to Philip: Approach that chariot and follow it.  As Philip ran, he heard him read the prophet Isaiah and asked: Do you understand what you have been reading?

 He replied: How can I understand if someone doesn't explain it to me?

 And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 Now the passage of Scripture he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter;  and like a dumb lamb before its shearer, so he did not open his mouth.  In his humiliation he was denied justice;  who can describe the generation to you?  Because from the earth his life is taken.

 Then the eunuch said to Philip: I ask you to explain to me who the prophet refers to.  Does he speak of himself or of someone else?

 Then Philip explained;  and beginning with this passage of Scripture, he announced Jesus to him.  As they went out on the way, when they came to a certain place where there was water, the eunuch said: Here is water;  what prevents me from being baptized?

 [Philip replied, It is allowed if you believe with all your heart.

 And he answering said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]

 So he had the chariot stopped, they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.”  Acts 8:27-38

 A God-fearing man or woman discovers that to be a disciple of Jesus he/she must be baptized.  And he/she even compels the one who taught him/her about Jesus Christ to baptize him or her:

 Nowadays it is emphasized that it is necessary to teach someone about the things of God, in a special class, so that the person can decide whether to be baptized or not.

 The truth is that what initiates a person to be a disciple of Jesus is baptism.

 “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying:

 All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

 What makes a person become a disciple of Jesus is baptism.  Without baptism this person has not even become a disciple yet.

 There is nothing clearer than this Truth in the entire New Testament.

 “When they heard these things, their hearts were pierced, and they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, brethren, what shall we do?

 Peter answered them, Repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off, that is, to whom the Lord our God will call.

 Then those who accepted his word were baptized, with an addition that day of nearly three thousand people.”  Acts 2:37-39, 41

Baptism is not a symbolic act neither a performance to show your allegiance to Jesus. If you are baptized just to demonstrate a religious act you are just performing. 

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! 

How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. 

Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 #ASONE

IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED ? Josimar Salum

IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE BAPTIZED ?

Josimar Salum

“Behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Then the Spirit said to Philip: Approach that chariot and follow it.  As Philip ran, he heard him read the prophet Isaiah and asked: Do you understand what you have been reading?

He replied: How can I understand if someone doesn't explain it to me?

And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Now the passage of Scripture he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter;  and like a dumb lamb before its shearer, so he did not open his mouth.  In his humiliation he was denied justice;  who can describe the generation to you?  Because from the earth his life is taken.

Then the eunuch said to Philip: I ask you to explain to me who the prophet refers to.  Does he speak of himself or of someone else?

Then Philip explained;  and beginning with this passage of Scripture, he announced Jesus to him.  As they went out on the way, when they came to a certain place where there was water, the eunuch said: Here is water;  what prevents me from being baptized?

[Philip replied, It is allowed if you believe with all your heart.

And he answering said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]

So he had the chariot stopped, they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.”  Acts 8:27-38

A God-fearing man or woman discovers that to be a disciple of Jesus he must be baptized.  And he even compels the one who taught him about Jesus Christ to baptize him or her:

Nowadays it is emphasized that it is necessary to teach someone about the things of God, in a special class, so that the person can decide whether to be baptized or not.

The truth is that what initiates a person to be a disciple of Jesus is baptism.

“Jesus came and spoke to them, saying:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

What makes a person become a disciple of Jesus is baptism.  Without baptism this person has not even become a disciple yet.

There is nothing clearer than this Truth in the entire New Testament.

“When they heard these things, their hearts were pierced, and they asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, brethren, what shall we do?

Peter answered them, Repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off, that is, to whom the Lord our God will call.

Then those who accepted his word were baptized, with an addition that day of nearly three thousand people.”  Acts 2:37-39, 41

 #ASONE

WHAT IF ALL OF US ARE WRONG ? Max Wesley

WHAT IF ALL OF US ARE WRONG ?

Max Wesley

The Gospel is not exclusive to anyone, but it is peace on earth for all men of good will (Luke 2:14), it is for everyone. 

Jesus warned his disciples, DO NOT FORBID those who preach in my name (Luke 9:50). 

Even among the 12 of Jesus, there were those who wanted to be bigger than the others. That would be bad for the Kingdom, which has only one special person, Jesus! 

Paul asked the believers about being Peter's or Apollo's or his: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Corinthians 1; 12-13). 

Each one went their own way, often without understanding or agreeing with one another, but not compromising the principles of Jesus. They went on without attacking, without persecuting, without exposing or defaming one another. 

Peter, referring to the difficult things that Paul wrote warned that it should not be distorted by ignorant and unstable people (2 Peter 3:15-16). 

Men who had different spheres of action, but did not divide the body of Christ even if they did not understand each other well or they did not have the same vision of work. They understood well the manifold wisdom of God. 

Everyone received the good news, but no one received the exclusivity of the work! 

Whoever does not stop to reflect on the evil that men who take the kingdom of God for themselves do in people's lives, will see every day the spiritual corpses of the little ones. 

Without complete love and total obedience to Jesus the work of ministry will become a work of proselytizing instead of making disciples exclusively for Jesus.

#ASONE

Make disciples is much more than evangelism. By Ryan Delling

*Make disciples is much more than evangelism. By Ryan Delling

Jesus' great commandment to us in Matthew 28 was to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit".  How often we have we minimized this scripture to mean that we should all be evangelizing and sharing our faith with the lost.  But making disciples is so much more than helping someone come to a decision for Christ.  It means being committed for the long haul to seeing the character of Christ revealed in every part of their life.  It means walking with them and encouraging them to journey towards Christian maturity.  It means teaching them, believing in them, and calling the inner purpose out of them that they might not even see themselves.

#JSalum #ASONE

Making disciples...

MISSION FOR LIVES: I don't want a pulpit, I want the world;  I don't want riches, I want lives saved;  I don't have time to talk bad about others, I want to talk to others about the Gospel ... As long as I have the breath of life I will go to the streets to fulfill the command of my master Jesus Christ: “As you go, make disciples .” If you are sitting in the shadow of a temple or at the comfort of your home know that Jesus is coming, and there is still time for you to change your life and make disciples in the image and likeness of Jesus.”- Duarte Sambu & Josimar Salum #ASONE*

More Disciples...

"The purpose of the church is not more events... but more disciples. Not more programs... but more disciples. Not more fellowships... but more disciples. Not more studies... but more disciples. We can do lots of things but it must all be for the goal of making more disciples." Philip Nation #JSalum #ASONE