When is a christian NOT a Christian?

[farouk]

Really? Explain to me if I have done such?

Oh no I wasn't saying that you were using it as a term of abuse.

Just that some ppl do.

It refers to Biblical doctrine, I believe. And often ppl don't know what they mean by the words they use, although you yourself have clearly read a great deal about it.

Blessings.

 

[GodsGrace]

I actually read Calvin long AFTER forming my beliefs. I read Calvin afterwards because folks called me a Calvinist.

After reading what John Calvin actually wrote, I have concluded that John Calvin wasn't a Calvinist.

Neither am I.

But the f you believe that God never causes someone to be a believer... Ok. Stick with that... I really don't care. But Paul spent three days blind and trying to figure things out cause Jesus cold cocked him.

Acts 9 tells a tale... It wasn't in the present tense.

You know what?
I'm one of those that used to tell you that you were reformed.
I remember now.

One of their beliefs is that God CHOOSES who will be saved and who will not.
Mainline Christianity does not believe this...that does not mean that God did not choose special persons for special reasons.....Mary and Judas would be two. Moses would be another one...there are more.

The question, would be:
Can we choose to want to be saved or not?

But that's getting away from the topic at hand.

See you around!

 

[GodsGrace]

People use the word as a term of abuse; but often they don't even know what they are talking about.

What would be the right term?
Reformed?

 

[Hidden In Him]

I confirmed this recently in another post. But we have three issues being all treated as one issue:

1. Only God knows who is a true Christian regardless of professions.

2. Only the individual knows if he or she has a relationship with Christ.

3. Only those within a local church and in contact with other members would know what their fruits are.

I'd venture to say on #3 that not even one's own congregation knows sometimes. Not all congregations are close to every single member, and not all members divulge everything going on in their lives to their congregations either.

 

[farouk]

What would be the right term?
Reformed?

My point was to make the discussion doctrinal, referenced from Scripture.

I myself would not particularly use the term Reformed about myself.

 

[GodsGrace]

My point was to make the discussion doctrinal, referenced from Scripture.

I myself would not particularly use the term Reformed about myself.

But if you don't like calvinist and reformed is not right...
then what is?

To me, calvinism refers to TULIP and what that stands for.
Some of the Westminster Confession and
Some of the Institutes of Calvin.
(I make no claim of having read all of these two works)

Reformed would be how the reformation started out...
Calvin was part of it although others believed as he did.
I don't know enough of that history to say why he got the honors.

I ask some persons (not too many) if they're calvinist in their theology
because it cuts through a lot of useless talk.

 

[FHII]

The question, would be:
Can we choose to want to be saved or not?

But that's getting away from the topic at hand.

It's a relevant question, and yes, it's getting away from the topic.

 

[101G]

There was some chatter the other day about who was 'allowed' to have "Christian" under their avatar and who should put 'Other Faith', in it's place. ( locking them out of 95% of the forum boards)
So, who defines who can call themselves a christian?

The Nicene creed was mentioned. > for those who don't know it , or have forgotten its content. Nicene Creed

I for one don't agree with a line at the end of it... re the Holy Spirit. It says:-
"He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified."

I don't agree with that... I don't care if they were wise old men with beards.
I don't find that (bolded line) anywhere in the bible at all. In fact it is says He points TO the Father and Son. ( away from Himself)

OK BG, first thanks for the invite. second, why ask me when you are already on the money. also, why ask me for input when you already know the TRUTH, and is on top of it... (slap on the hand) .... and yes I agree with your assessment.

and as for knowing who is a christian... from my heart only God KNOWS. so we must treat everyone right and the same. and you know me I must back up what I say with scripture.
Matthew 7:18 "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven".

and this also, just because someone might not agrees with everything you agree with "HINDER THEM NOT". Mark 9:38 "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us
Mark 9:39 "But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mark 9:40 "For he that is not against us is on our part".

and one other thing BG, so oh you forgot old 101G .......... (sobbing)... LOL. (another slap on the hand).. smack, smack.

just showing brothely Love. be good hope you got something there. I didn't read all the post, just answered on the fly. so if someone posted this just ignore it.

PICJAG.

 

[amadeus]

I didn't realize that United Pentecostal was the same as Oneness Pentecostal. They have worded their doctrine deceptively, as I quoted it from their website.

Yes, they are called Jesus Only. That is to say, each of the Trinitarians three persons in the Godhead according to them are manifestations of the one God whose name is Jesus. That perhaps is oversimplifying it, but I left them as a member for the last time in 1987 so I have no recent personal knowledge. I was with them and two other organizations with similar beliefs for 11 years. The primary difference between and the others, was one was originally all black people and one was all Hispanic. The UPC itself was all white. Now at least a few people have crossed the race lines.

With my family I belonged to an all black assembly in Vallejo, CA. With 300-400 in attendance, mine was the only white family. It was really a very good experience. My son who was not yet a teenager at the time still remembers it as the one time he was certain we were there in accord with God's will. Our black pastor was certain that God had sent us to them to help members get past their racism against white folks.

 

[Helen]

OK BG, first thanks for the invite. second, why ask me when you are already on the money. also, why ask me for input when you already know the TRUTH, and is on top of it... (slap on the hand) .... and yes I agree with your assessment.

and as for knowing who is a christian... from my heart only God KNOWS. so we must treat everyone right and the same. and you know me I must back up what I say with scripture.
Matthew 7:18 "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven".

and this also, just because someone might not agrees with everything you agree with "HINDER THEM NOT". Mark 9:38 "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us
Mark 9:39 "But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mark 9:40 "For he that is not against us is on our part".

and one other thing BG, so oh you forgot old 101G .......... (sobbing)... LOL. (another slap on the hand).. smack, smack.

just showing brothely Love. be good hope you got something there. I didn't read all the post, just answered on the fly. so if someone posted this just ignore it.

PICJAG.

Thank you for your post. :)

Excellent mention of Mark 9.39 good catch. I had forgotten that verse . :)

BTW I did at least remember you by post number nine.

Bless you.

 

[Grailhunter]

@"ByGrace" I have read through this, have seen a lot scriptures. Do you think they have determined what it takes to be a Christian and who is in charge of declaring someone as non-Christian?

 

[justbyfaith]

John 20:31 and Matthew 7:21-23, to me, define the genuine Christian.

 

[JohnPaul]

@"ByGrace" I have read through this, have seen a lot scriptures. Do you think they have determined what it takes to be a Christian and who is in charge of declaring someone as non-Christian?

Am I declared a Christian? I love Jesus Christ with all my heart.

 

[Helen]

@"ByGrace" I have read through this, have seen a lot scriptures. Do you think they have determined what it takes to be a Christian and who is in charge of declaring someone as non-Christian?

Thank you.
I have been very pleased with so many of the responses in this thread.

I thought that the verse Mark 9.39 that 101G posted was a good one.
So many good posts here too.

I am very happy with the how the thread was handled by everyone.
And the sister ( she posted her response to lforrest/admin) is happy with the clarity and has changed her status back to 'christian' again :) ..and just to clarify...no one here told her that she couldn't use 'christian' here. It was someone on a different forum. So all is good. Praise the Lord.

Thank you.

 

[Helen]

THANK YOU EVERYONE for you precipitating in this discussion...

 

[Grailhunter]

Thank you.
I have been very pleased with so many of the responses in this thread.

I thought that the verse Mark 9.39 that 101G posted was a good one.
So many good posts here too.

I am very happy with the how the thread was handled by everyone.
And the sister ( she posted her response to lforrest/admin) is happy with the clarity and has changed her status back to 'christian' again :) ..and just to clarify...no one here told her that she couldn't use 'christian' here. It was someone on a different forum. So all is good. Praise the Lord.

Thank you.

I agree...glad the admin chimed in. I would like to see them communicate a little more....understand the neutrality of it all. Good job Helen.

 

[Helen]

Am I declared a Christian? I love Jesus Christ with all my heart.

Brother, Just keep on following, learning, and asking questions of those more mature ... :)

No one has a right to tell you that you are not a christian...and neither does anyone but God need to endorse you as a christian.

Growth comes slowly as we stay in the light of the Lord.

If you message in the INBOX two the brother I sent you you...they will answer your question more privately than on an open board. :)

God never turns any heartfelt seekers away. ✟

Many blessings...Helen .

 

[JohnPaul]

Brother, Just keep on following, learning, and asking questions of those more mature ... :)

No one has a right to tell you that you are not a christian...and neither does anyone but God need to endorse you as a christian.

Growth comes slowly as we stay in the light of the Lord.

If you message in the INBOX two the brother I sent you you...they will answer your question more privately than on an open board. :)

God never turns any heartfelt seekers away. ✟

Many blessings...Helen .

Helen I messaged you back, I will contact the brothers you sent me.

Much love to you my dear sister, for you have been kind to me, you have given me inspiration.

 

[Bobby Jo]

I confirmed this recently in another post. But we have three issues being all treated as one issue:

1. Only God knows who is a true Christian regardless of professions.
2. Only the individual knows if he or she has a relationship with Christ.
3. Only those within a local church and in contact with other members would know what their fruits are.

Re: #1 & #2
Ananias Sepphria disprove your premise.

Re: #3
Society disproves your premise.


You're 0 for 3,
Bobby Jo

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Am I declared a Christian? I love Jesus Christ with all my heart.

HI, :)
I still think it is belief in the Nicene Creed 100%, I know, I'm one of the only ones ...
makes no difference if a person is the best person ever ...if
you don't believe every word in that you are not considered a Christian by the Christian Standard that was written
...that is what has been 'set down'...'declared'...Like a motto of a Fraternity.
Not by God or Jesus or Mary or Peter....by the Christians in Power...the ones that started this like a Fraternity...a brotherhood of
comrades. No?
If you don't believe in that Creed you don't belong to the 'Club'.
I am not mocking anything...it's just how I see the Nicene Creed...it's the (High) Council's decision.

Cuz really who cares about a group or belonging to a group or being labeled...we all know
it's between you and God, right? :)

Say you're at the pearly gates, ha....that sentence you just declared, in bold, should be your ticket...
not saying, 'I'm a Christian'.
I dunno, I'm just sayin ...that is how I see it...I can't be making things up as to what a Christian is...it has already been set up.
Am I wrong?