What Is A Christian?

[bbyrd009]

Well then, bb, what IS TRUE?
What does SELF mean??

well, i suggest that it is the part most people are assuming will "go to" heaven; the part that they identify with as "themselves."

 

[GodsGrace]

27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

also the First Son of the Vineyard Owner, said specifically that he would not go, also the Good Samaritan; all of these would be considered "atheist" in some priest's judgement

Yes but then he went.
I don't understand about the Good Samaritan.
Oh. Because Samaritans were not liked. And he was the one who helped the man in need. Jesus was making a point many today do NOT want to hear.
John 14:15
Those who DO the will of the Father are saved.
This takes us back to Mathew 7:22-23

.......

 

[GodsGrace]

well, i suggest that it is the part most people are assuming will "go to" heaven; the part that they identify with as "themselves."

The soul?
I don't understand you.
Sorry.

It means the flesh.
I've never heard of any other meaning.
Romans 12:1

 

[bbyrd009]

The soul?
I don't understand you.
Sorry.

It means the flesh.
I've never heard of any other meaning.

well, up til pretty recently "flesh bodies" were counted as "souls," the body being (properly, imo) counted as really just a manifestation of the soul, i think. They only got separated by scribes, i think, to forward the notion that a part of you lives on after mortal death, in order to sell people what they so desperately want, and rush to buy

 

[amadeus]

Death was understood differently in the O.T.
The WAY of he ungodly shall perish,
not the ungodly.
??

Hmmm? I don't agree with your casting aside that verse for that reason, but something we probably can agree on is that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life. Why would people who are dead already need to be judged? They receive no resurrection because the only resurrection is accomplished through Jesus. They did not receive Him and therefore will not be resurrected...

But also consider the following:

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Cor 15:21-22

That was not speaking only of people with their carnal occurring only since the Resurrection of Jesus. Were OT saints not also given hope for a resurrection? God really is no respecter of persons:

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" Acts 10:34

When Jesus spoke these words did he exclude the OT saints?

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Are the dead who did not know God in the OT simply dead in the grave, while the dead in the NT are going to suffer forever in torment?
Job and others seemed to expecting a redemption... that is a redemption from the death which was already his [and ours] from our first carnal father, Adam:

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" Job 19:25

"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isaiah 26:19

"But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Dan 12:13

Was Jesus not also remembering the OT saints when he spoke these words?

"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matt 27:52-53

Death belonged to everyone of us until Jesus paid the price of Life for whosoever will... Some of those in the OT, especially the prophets knew this. Why should their death be different than ours. Did they do worse or better than those of us who actually have had carnal life after the resurrection of Jesus?

There are lots of verses which can work for this, but to me it is a line within the whole of it. Others will find something different, but while they may be right or I may be right, with God there is no may be. This is another of those places where regardless of the details we need to stay on His side.

 

[twinc]

well, up til pretty recently "flesh bodies" were counted as "souls," the body being (properly, imo) counted as really just a manifestation of the soul, i think. They only got separated by scribes, i think, to forward the notion that a part of you lives on after mortal death, in order to sell people what they so desperately want, and rush to buy

yes there is some truth here but the answer cannot and will not be accepted because the baby has been thrown out with the bath water - once this is realised the answer becomes clear and obvious - twinc

 

[amadeus]

Since no one else is posting anything else here, that apparently means that everyone knows what a Christian is and/or perhaps we are all agreeing to disagree. Or maybe everyone just got tired and went home without a final solution and without anticipating further discussions/arguments about same.

 

[GodsGrace]

Since no one else is posting anything else here, that apparently means that everyone knows what a Christian is and/or perhaps we are all agreeing to disagree. Or maybe everyone just got tired and went home without a final solution and without anticipating further discussions/arguments about same.

A,
I believe a Christian is someone who follows Christ.
Who believes that Jesus is god, died and resurrected.


You think we could come to a consensus??

 

[amadeus]

A,
I believe a Christian is someone who follows Christ.
Who believes that Jesus is god, died and resurrected.


You think we could come to a consensus??

I would presently for myself agree on each point, but I would still hesitate to automatically say someone who doubts any one of them is not a Christian even though I might in my heart believe it. I still believe strongly that there are too many places a person can be in his walk to set such a thing in concrete. If God does it, so be it? I always go back to Abraham Lincoln with regard to creeds which could be as simple as the one you propose:

"I have never united myself to any church, because I have
found difficulty in giving my assent without mental reservation, to the long complicated statements of Christian doctrine which characterizes their Articles of Belief and Confessions of Faith.

When any church will inscribe over its altar as its sole qualification for membership the Savior's condensed statement of both Law and Gospel, 'thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself' that church will I join with all my heart and all my soul"

Abraham Lincoln President of the United States

 

[101G]

A,
I believe a Christian is someone who follows Christ.
Who believes that Jesus is god, died and resurrected.


@GG, Just like some, not all, say they are following the Lord. with what intent? Just like people who say they are following the church. they follow, but not IN him. just come to see what's wrong.

 

[speedyj1992]

Hi Scott,

I'm glad you put disciple in quotation marks because a disciple of Jesus is already saved. We DO have a problem with terms in Christianity!

Jesus said to Peter: Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.
Mathew 4:19

Jesus told the Apostles to make disciples of men by teaching them what Jesus
taught. Mathew 28:19

So we "fish" for men. We are disciples and we wish to make disciples.

There is a specific definition of what a disciple is:

1. He has a deep love for Christ.
2. He has an unshakable faith and confidence in the Word of God.
3. He is committed to Christ in obedience and service.
4. He reads the bible.
5. He likes to pray and communiate with God.
6. He loves his fellow man.
7. He likes to witness

(from Dynamics of Discipling, Arts Publications [modifications by me] )

We pray that they stay saved!!

Your no. 2 is very true and simply and well said.
Christ-Christian...

Love this answer - some really good ones on here, but this one speaks to me the most. You have it down!

 

[Angelina]

What Is A Christian? ~ A Holy Spirit filled, believer of Christ and his redeeming work on the cross. One who listens and obeys his will

 

[twinc]

A Christian is one who recognizes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour and he comes to Him as his Lord and Saviour. He is then born-again by the Spirit of God.

Stranger

oh so close and nearly right imho - but imho a Christian is a son and heir of God through the grace of Christ at and through Christian baptism when heaven is opened and a voice declares "this is my beloved son's son" - twinc

 

[pia]

I would presently for myself agree on each point, but I would still hesitate to automatically say someone who doubts any one of them is not a Christian even though I might in my heart believe it. I still believe strongly that there are too many places a person can be in his walk to set such a thing in concrete. If God does it, so be it? I always go back to Abraham Lincoln with regard to creeds which could be as simple as the one you propose:

Very clever man A. Lincoln, I must say..! I am with you also, some Christians are very quick to 'disqualify' other believers as they don't quite believe the way they do...again with the trying to limit God...

 

[amadeus]

Very clever man A. Lincoln, I must say..! I am with you also, some Christians are very quick to 'disqualify' other believers as they don't quite believe the way they do...again with the trying to limit God...

Clever perhaps, but I would say that he knew more about God than most of those in the churches which he would not join. Those who studied our 16th President will have found many flaws in him, but for me with all the flaws and errors he would rank as our 1st President, if you understand my meaning.

 

[bbyrd009]

I am with you also, some Christians are very quick to 'disqualify' other believers as they don't quite believe the way they do...again with the trying to limit God...

if one has some rule that they believe others must adhere to, then they are advertising that they are under the law imo

 

[Angelina]

Clever perhaps, but I would say that he knew more about God than most of those in the churches which he would not join. Those who studied our 16th President will have found many flaws in him, but for me with all the flaws and errors he would rank as our 1st President, if you understand my meaning.

Indeed, well said!

 

[Grams]

I believe in GOD and know that JESUS went to the Cross for my sins.....

And know I am going to heaven one day soon..

In fact I wish [PRAY] I was there all ready! :)

 

[pia]

Clever perhaps, but I would say that he knew more about God than most of those in the churches which he would not join. Those who studied our 16th President will have found many flaws in him, but for me with all the flaws and errors he would rank as our 1st President, if you understand my meaning.

I was referring to his stand on God...I think he is generally seen by people in other countries as the best ever, America had...but of course none of us lived it....Of course the man would also have flaws, what man doesn't ? Thanks for the post, it was really good, as always....:)

 

[pia]

if one has some rule that they believe others must adhere to, then they are advertising that they are under the law imo

Totally ! We have no business putting on a burden on anyone ...