Can Someone Please Define What a Christian is?

[Lifelong_sinner]

I am following God and His Son, rather than any definitions of men. As I said, I am neither Unitarian nor Trinitarian. What is a label to God? What is a box?
Give God the glory!

you’re either a unitarian or trinitarian. You cant just choose one and then deny being it.

 

[Cooper]

Giving God always the glory!

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" Mark 10:27

Praise God!

 

[Cooper]

you’re either a unitarian or trinitarian. You cant just choose one and then deny being it.

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the One Eternal God. He humbled himself when he came among us, so who was he before he came down from heavens glory?
.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the One Eternal God. He humbled himself when he came among us, so who was he before he came down from heavens glory?
.

so how can you say Jesus is God, yet deny the Trinity?

 

[Enoch111]

so how can you say Jesus is God, yet deny the Trinity?

That is a real dilemma isn't it? It's like wanting to have your cake and eat it too.

 

[Enoch111]

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the One Eternal God.

With the Father and the Holy Spirit. See 1 John 5:7 (KJV)

He humbled himself when he came among us, so who was he before he came down from heavens glory?

The eternal Word of God, the Son of God, and God the Son. See Micah 5:2 (the portion omitted by the scribes and chief priests).

 

[Cooper]

so how can you say Jesus is God, yet deny the Trinity?

Trinitarianism, another 'ism' implies three Gods. It leaves Christians open to ridicule and as there can only be one supreme God it defies all logic. We need to be clear that Jesus is 'the One God made visible in the flesh, the creator of heaven and earth, 'God with us.'
.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Trinitarianism, another 'ism' implies three Gods. It leaves Christians open to ridicule and as there can only be one supreme God it defies all logic. We need to be clear that Jesus is 'the One God made visible in the flesh, the creator of heaven and earth, 'God with us.'
.

nope, you arent getting it. One God, three distinct persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. One God, three persons. Theres no three Gods, only one.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

From the Westminster Confessions chpt 2;
“In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, (1Jo 5:7; Mat 3:16-17; Mat 28:19; 2Co 13:14)”

 

[Aunty Jane]

three distinct persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. One God, three persons.

That is three gods.....nowhere does the Bible say that God is three different persons. He is "ONE"...Yahweh.

The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4 in Hebrew reads..."Hear, O Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one."
Since Jesus was Jewish, then he would have taught this too....

 

[Cooper]

With the Father and the Holy Spirit. See 1 John 5:7 (KJV)
The eternal Word of God, the Son of God, and God the Son. See Micah 5:2 (the portion omitted by the scribes and chief priests).

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7 KJV)

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

This verse (Hebrews 13:8) declares Christ’s immutability "…that he is unchangeable; that he always was, is, and will be to all eternity, the same; that he is subject to no change either in his essence or in his perfections" (Wakefield, Vol. 1, p. 156). Cf. Php_2:6-8; Jas_1:17 and notes.

Note that the Incarnation was a change of estate, not nature. In the Incarnation Christ:
(1) has all the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in Him (Col_2:9);

(2) is One with the Father (Joh_10:30);

(3) is Omnipotent (cf. Joh_5:19; Joh_7:9-13; Joh_7:19; Joh_7:21; Joh_10:17-18; Joh_11:43-44; Joh_16:15);

(4) is Omniscient (cf. Mat_11:21; Mat_11:23; Joh_2:24-25; Joh_6:64; Joh_16:15);

(5) is Omnipresent (cf. Mat_18:20; Mat_28:20; Joh_3:13);

(6) has all things whatsoever the Father has (Joh_16:15);

(7) has power to remove sin (cf. Mat_9:2; Mat_9:6);

(8) received worship as God (cf. Mat_2:11; Mat_8:1-2; Mat_14:33; Joh_9:35-38).

Thus Jesus remains essentially and eternally the same throughout His profound mutations of estate—pre-Incarnation, Incarnation, death, resurrection, glorification—even for the ages of eternity! (LNT, fn i). T76-4,

Jesus is immutable. Heb_13:9, *Heb_1:12, +*Exo_3:14; Exo_3:15; Exo_38:1, Psa_90:2; Psa_90:4; *Psa_102:27; *Psa_102:28; Psa_103:17, Isa_41:4; Isa_44:6, +*Mal_3:6, Mat_12:32; +*Mat_28:19 note. +*Joh_8:35; Joh_8:56-58, 2Co_1:19-20, Php_2:6, 1Ti_6:16, **Jas_1:17, Rev_1:4; Rev_1:8; Rev_1:11; Rev_1:17-18.

yesterday. Psa_93:2, Isa_30:33; Isa_43:13; *Isa_63:16, +*Mic_5:2, Hab_1:12, Joh_1:1; Joh_1:15; *Joh_8:58, Col_1:17, Rev_4:8.

and. FS148, +Gen_8:22.

to day. FS22D4B, +Dan_7:9, Heb_3:15, Isa_46:4, *+Joh_8:58, +*Rev_1:8; Rev_4:8.

for ever. Gr. aion, +Mat_6:13, lit. unto the ages. Heb_13:21, **Heb_7:24; **Heb_7:25, Psa_9:7; *Psa_102:12, +*Isa_43:3; +*Isa_43:11; *Isa_63:16, Lam_5:19, Hab_3:6, Rom_1:25; Rom_9:5; Rom_11:36; **Rom_16:26; **Rom_16:27, 2Co_11:31, Rev_4:8.

Source: The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. (UCRT)
.

 

[amadeus]

so how can you say Jesus is God, yet deny the Trinity?

How can we say anything at all?

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:13-14

"Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further." Job 40:3-5

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

How can we say anything at all?

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:13-14

"Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further." Job 40:3-5

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

when you have nothing to back up your statement, i suppose ignoring the question is one way of handling it.

 

[amadeus]

when you have nothing to back up your statement, i suppose ignoring the question is one way of handling it.

My statement? What statement are you talking about?

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

My statement? What statement are you talking about?

you said you arent a trinitarian nor a unitarian. Thats kinda impossible, you’re one or the other. Yet you dont want to tell us which you are. That raises questions as to why.

 

[michaelvpardo]

I notice the definitions are progressing from simple to more complex as the thread gets longer.

While not saying so, some Protestants don't consider Catholics to be Christian, and some Catholics don't identify as Christian so that they won't be considered Protestants.
I think its carnal nature to view the carnal as non Christian, but everyone is born with a carnal mind and every Christian has to renew their mind through the reading of and meditation upon scripture (in order to learn how to compare spiritual things with spiritual rather than try to understand the spiritual with a carnal mind.)
We are born again in a moment of time and renewed in spirit, but changing how we think takes time.
Some people seem to think that we're saved by sound doctrine, but that attitude tends to be self serving and self exhalting. Our expressed understanding often becomes just another reason for a brother or sister to judge us, and with the carnal minded its pretty much always a condemnation veiled with self righteousness.
However, in a field of wheat, the "tares" steal sustenance from the wheat, and though they look like the wheat, they contribute nothing to the crops' yield.

 

[michaelvpardo]

The word christian was I believe first used in Antioch. They were said to be walking their lives as Christ did. Before that they were called disciples. Christ even referred those who follow him were his disciples. What’s sad today is people are called Christians in name only.

Actually, the first Christians were called followers of the way. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. "The way" was a reminder of old testament prophecy regarding the redemption of Israel, and refers to a road or path to be followed. Even the Lord's demonstration of service by washing the disciples' feet, was pointing to the metaphor of the way of righteousness.
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray. Isaiah 35:8
All you really need is clean (spiritually clean) feet to walk upon it.

 

[michaelvpardo]

I guess I just think of a Christian as someone who has received the Holy Spirit.

I've thought that way, but some "Christians" don't seem to even think that's possible. Since its an arbitrary term applied to believers, I think it should include seekers who haven't received His Spirit, (no one really seeks after God, but some "hear" Him calling and are slow to respond in faith.)
I was a disciple decades before I was born again, but my original "religious instruction " was full of erroneous dogma, contrary to the gospel and sound biblical doctrine.

 

[michaelvpardo]

What does that mean in real terms SBG? Is it the same for all, or do people receive the HS in different ways?

All people recieve the Holy Spirit for the asking through belief in the Lord.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13
That might be an oversimplification in that it doesn't include the work of the Holy Spirit in moving us to believe and to ask, but it remains true.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; John 16:7-9
Even religious people are of "the world" until they aren't.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I've thought that way, but some "Christians" don't seem to even think that's possible. Since its an arbitrary term applied to believers, I think it should include seekers who haven't received His Spirit, (no one really seeks after God, but some "hear" Him calling and are slow to respond in faith.)
I was a disciple decades before I was born again, but my original "religious instruction " was full of erroneous dogma, contrary to the gospel and sound biblical doctrine.

That’s a big fear with me. That the indoctrination blocks.