Authors and bloggers sometimes title their compositions in an outrageous way in order to try and generate interest from readers. In the case of online posts, these shocking titles are called click-bait. I assure you that the title to this article was not selected with this intention.
Now you may be curious as to what is meant by a Christian chicken; allow me to explain. I am not talking about the yummy nuggets and sandwiches served at a certain restaurant chain that usesHolsteins—black and white cows to encourage hungry patrons to eat more chicken. Even though the bovines are not adept at spelling, the recipe used to perfectly prepare the fried deliciousness of their chicken makes many of us return frequently. Many are also aware that this corporation is known to be run by those interested in honoring Christian principles. To that end, all of their restaurants are closed every Sunday and every employee is trained to be polite and tell patrons it is a pleasure to serve them. However, this is not what I want to discuss as it relates to my title: A Christian Chicken?
The idea behind this title came from an observation made by my 5-year-old nephew. Older family members were discussing still older family members and some of the stories they told about their childhood years. One that was especially interesting was how one uncle or grandfather (I don’t honestly remember which) would pretend to preach out by the chicken house. Many of us who grew up being taken to church from birth have probably all “played” church in one form or another. My oldest son, when he could barely walk, would often climb up behind the pulpit and pretend to preach or sing even when all he could do was make unintelligible babbling noises. What made the incident being retold about the relative preaching out by the chicken house was that after what must have been a very powerful lesson, this young one proceeded to attempt and baptize one of the chickens. Now if you know anything about chickens, you know how much they hate water. I was chuckling as I tried to imagine in my mind what it must have looked like trying to get a chicken immersed in a tub or bucket of some kind. However, I was most impressed by my aforementioned 5-year-old nephew who exclaimed: “You know what that made him?”Without giving anyone enough time to respond he continued: “A Christian chicken!”
What led him to make this evaluation? He is blessed with parents and other family members who have taught him the truth. From his birth, he has been involved in Bible study classes and sat through numerous Gospel sermons where this truth from God’s Word was faithfully proclaimed. He also recently watched with excitement as an older sister identified with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior by being baptized for the forgiveness of her sins. I am not suggesting that chickens or any other animals can respond to the Gospel, but I am pointing out that my young nephew grasps a truth that alludes many who are much older.
His understanding is rudimentary, but he has been grounded in the truth Jesus taught which is recorded in Mark16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Many try to deny the essentiality of immersion or baptism to salvation, but the words of the Lord must not be ignored or denied. In John 3:5 the Savior continues: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” This must be a reference to baptism because of what Acts 2 teaches. In that passage, the apostles announce the arrival of God’s kingdom due to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Convicted of their sin in murdering the Lord, the troubled crowd cries out asking what they can do in light of their terrible deed. The response was straightforward: “Repent, and let 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.” (Acts2:38) Every instance of a person or multiple persons being saved or converted includes baptism in the book of Acts. (See Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 16 and other passages to confirm this.) Baptism in water for the remission of sins is essential before one can be saved or be called a Christian. Other steps of obedience like faith and repentance are also necessary and precede baptism as the Bible teaches. You may have been taught differently and urged to pray a prayer or accept Jesus into your heart, but I urge you to simply read what those in the Bible did and do likewise in order to be saved. We would welcome the opportunity to study with you about these matters. I am not sure I know any Christian chickens, but I do know one 5-year-old who has a simple understanding of the truth of Scripture that evades many who are much older.