Imitator or impersonator of Christ

The ancient Greek word "μῖμος" ≈ "imitator, actor" and is the source of "mime", "imitate", etc.
Sayings: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If it looks like a duck ...

Are you an "imitator" or "follower" of Christ? Or both? We are to "imitate" Christ but not "impersonate" Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

imitatores … [v]

Discuss: What are the ambiguities in the following statement?

You need to become more like Christ every day.

There is a saying that goes something like the following.

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. Wikipedia.

This is a form of "abductive reasoning" and appears to have been first stated by the poet James Riley (1849-1916). Wikipedia. The reasoning has been stated in various forms since then.

If you can't imitate him, don't copy him. Yogi Berra (American professional baseball player and manager)

More: Yogi Berra

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

Paul says that we should "imitate" Christ in a transitive way.

1 Corinthians 11:1

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KJV: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Greek: μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου

Latin: imitatores mei estote sicut et ego Christi

Wycliffe: Be ye my foleweris, as Y am of Crist.

Luther: Seid meine Nachfolger, gleichwie ich Christi!

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

The modern Greek word "μιμείται" (mee-MEE-teh) ≈ "imitates, mimic" from which me get the English word "mime". A Greek "mime" would imitate or act out (i.e., as an actor).

The modern Greek word "μίμος" (MEE-mos) ≈ "mime".

The Latin word "imitator" ≈ "imitator, mimic" from which we get the English word "imitate".

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

Is Paul saying to follow in his footsteps?

Is an imitator one who follows in another's footsteps?

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

1Thessalonicher 2:14 … Nachfolger … [lu]

… foleweris … [wy]

By the Middle Ages, the word had become "follower".

The German word "Nachfolger" ≈ "follower" or, literally, one who follows after.
The Middle English word "foleweris" ≈ "follower".

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [kjv]

μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου [gnt]

Aristotle wrote about the many ways in which words, including speech, can be used to deceive.

You are to "imitate" Christ.

Some sermons focus on the "imitation" part. Let us rephrase the above.

You are to "imitate" the "true" Christ.
You are not to "imitate" a "false" Christ.

It does no good (and can be bad) to "imitate" a "false" Christ.

More: The taste of false teaching

Children learn by imitating, from a model (their parents, TV, school, etc.)

Children tend to see what you do and do not hear what you say.
Monkey see, monkey do.

Common quote: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

More: Song: Teach your children

More: Deuteronomy 5: Teach your children

Be an imitator, but not an impersonator.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: [kjv]

υμεις γαρ μιμηται εγενηθητε αδελφοι των εκκλησιων του θεου των ουσων εν τη ιουδαια εν χριστω ιησου οτι τα αυτα επαθετε και υμεις υπο των ιδιων συμφυλετων καθως και αυτοι υπο των ιουδαιων [gnt]

1 Thessalonians 2:14

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KJV: For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Greek: υμεις γαρ μιμηται εγενηθητε αδελφοι των εκκλησιων του θεου των ουσων εν τη ιουδαια εν χριστω ιησου οτι ταυτα τα αυτα επαθετε και υμεις υπο των ιδιων συμφυλετων καθως και αυτοι υπο των ιουδαιων

Latin: vos enim imitatores facti estis fratres ecclesiarum Dei quae sunt in Iudaea in Christo Iesu quia eadem passi estis et vos a contribulibus vestris sicut et ipsi a Iudaeis

Wycliffe: For, britheren, ye ben maad foleweris of the chirchis of God, that ben in Jude, in Crist Jhesu, for ye han suffrid the same thingis of youre euene lynagis, as thei of the Jewis.

Luther: Denn ihr seid Nachfolger worden, liebe Brüder, der Gemeinden Gottes in Judäa in Christo Jesu, daß ihr ebendasselbige erlitten habt von euren Blutsfreunden, das jene von den Juden,

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [kjv]

και τις ο κακωσων υμας εαν του αγαθου μιμηται ζηλωται γενησθε [gnt]

The Greek for "harm" is that of "bad" but, more specifically, "worthless" or "useless". The split is that of "good" and "not good" and not a split of "good" and "bad". The "not good" includes "worthless" or "useless".

Can imitation can be done without understanding what is being done?

Is this an important distinction? Why or why not?

How does not determine if what is seen is "authentic"?

"memorizing the answers" rather than learning the underlying concepts and how to apply them
"say the desired talking points" over and over again (vain repetitions)
"over-fitting the data", a common problem in data science. One solution: train on part of the data, test on the another part of the data.

"one trick pony"
only being able to play one tune on a piano

More: Communication security and authentication

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [kjv]

οτι πολλοι πλανοι εξηλθαν εις τον κοσμον οι μη ομολογουντες ιησουν χριστον ερχομενον εν σαρκι ουτος εστιν ο πλανος και ο αντιχριστος [gnt]

One can imitate for nefarious purposes. Example: Simon the magician in Acts.

Counterfeit goods, or knock-offs, appear like the real thing, but are just an imitation.

2 John 1:7

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KJV: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Greek: οτι πολλοι πλανοι εισηλθον εξηλθαν εις τον κοσμον οι μη ομολογουντες ιησουν χριστον ερχομενον εν σαρκι ουτος εστιν ο πλανος και ο αντιχριστος

Latin: quoniam multi seductores exierunt in mundum qui non confitentur Iesum Christum venientem in carne hic est seductor et antichristus

Wycliffe: For many disseyueris wenten out in to the world, which knoulechen not that Jhesu Crist hath come in fleisch; this is a disseyuere and antecrist.

Luther: Denn viel Verführer sind in die Welt kommen, die nicht bekennen Jesum Christum, daß er in das Fleisch kommen ist. Dieser ist der Verführer und der Widerchrist.

The "antichrist" in the Bible is both a general term for those who put themselves "in place of Christ" and the "Antichrist" or "beast" (or many other names in the Bible) as a unique being in the end times of the Bible.

More: The one Antichrist and many antichrists

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]

How does a "sheep" know if it has gone or is going "astray"?
The ancient Greek word "πλάνη" ≈ "wandering, roaming" and, figuratively, "going astray" or "in error". as in wandering off-target. The English word "planet" comes from this Greek word as a shortened form of "wandering star" since planets were considered wandering stars. The modern Greek word "πλανήτης" (pla-NEE-tees) ≈ "planet".

Discuss: Consider the billions of people throughout the ages. Are the "many" a few insurrectionists from the first century or so who led a few thousand followers?

More: Planets as wandering stars

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [kjv]

24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [kjv]

εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους [gnt]

… pseudochristi … pseudoprophetae … [v]

More: Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it

Matthew 24:23

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KJV: Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Greek: τοτε εαν τις υμιν ειπη ιδου ωδε ο χριστος η ωδε μη πιστευσητε

Matthew 24:24

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KJV: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Greek: εγερθησονται γαρ ψευδοχριστοι και ψευδοπροφηται και δωσουσιν σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα ωστε πλανησαι πλανασθαι ει δυνατον και τους εκλεκτους

Latin: surgent enim pseudochristi et pseudoprophetae et dabunt signa magna et prodigia ita ut in errorem inducantur si fieri potest etiam electi

What do we know about light?

Ancient Greece was very hilly, to the point that hills were what we call mountains. In Ancient Greek, the word for "hill" and "mountain" was the same.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]

υμεις εστε το φως του κοσμου ου δυναται πολις κρυβηναι επανω ορους κειμενη [gnt]

For those who live near mountain ranges, the modern Greek word "όρους" (O-rus) ≈ "mountain" is here translated as "hill".

The modern Greek word "λόφος" (LO-fos) ≈ "hill".
The modern Greek word "όρος" (O-ros) ≈ "mountain, definition, boundary".
The modern Greek word "βουνό" (vu-NO) ≈ "mountain".

Matthew 5:14

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KJV: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Greek: υμεις εστε το φως του κοσμου ου δυναται πολις κρυβηναι επανω ορους κειμενη

Latin: vos estis lux mundi non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita

Wessex: Ge synd midden-eardes leoht. ne maig syo ceastre beon behyd. þe beoð up on munt äset.

How does one know if the light is the right light?

The name "Lucifer" comes from the Latin meaning "bearing light".

There are historical examples of false lights.

Today Nags Head, NC, part of what is called the Outer Banks, is a beach area on the Atlantic Coast.

The legendary history of Nags Head, NC, comes from pirate sailors who would have a nag (old goat) carry a lantern around on the beach to make passing ships think they were safe before running aground whereupon the pirates could get their booty without the danger of having to go to sea.

Like peiristic examinational reasoning where one uses what the other person believes to try to trick or deceive them, pirates (same root word in Greek) prefer use trickery to deceive their victims.

More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations

More: Lucifer as a bearer of light

War times such as World War II are filled with examples of false lights to make the enemy think one thing or another.

Alexander the Great would use campfires at certain places to confuse the enemy.

So it would appear that we are to be imitators of Paul in the sense of following and imitating Paul's behavior and, in that sense, follow Christ, but we are not to become imitations of Christ to the extent that we become a false Christ in and of ourselves.

Some churches boast of the great work they have done for the community, without mention of any preaching of the "Good News" or other Christian connection.

Some churches spend hard-earned wealth for secular efforts such as "feeding the starving children". Will they hear the "Good News"? What is the best use of limited funds?

Some may say that they are carrying the light to the world. The name "Lucifer" means "carrying light" so one must be careful as to the light one is carrying.

The Latin word "lucifer" ≈ "bearer of light, lucifer".