What constitutes a Christian?

[Obadiah]

Let me just put a quick reminder in here of a couple points from our ToS just to be sure the thread doesn’t wander into trouble. This is not directed at anyone or any post in particular, but is just to prevent problems from popping up.

2.4: …Respect where people are in their spiritual walk, and respect all others in general. Respect where others are in their spiritual walk, do not disrupt the flow of discussion or act in a way that affects others negatively including when debating doctrinal issues, in the defense of the Christian faith, and in offering unwelcome spiritual advice.

2.5: Do not "call out" other members by name who you have a disagreement with in the OP of a new thread or in a thread they are not already in. Members should not be put in the position of having to defend themselves in a discussion they have not yet chosen to participate in.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Regina,
Jesus/God gave clear information on when the fruit is rotten and it one is teaching anything that does not align with the Clear word of God without drawing it out of it's context, it is heresy. I have been removed, baned, for pointing out heretical teaching and I was thrown out of one Church for calling the Pastor on the carpet for teaching heresy but the truth of it all is that I do not need to worry about standing the Great White Throne Judgment.As lo as u are sure this teaching does not align with the clear teaching of the Bible, it is your duty to warn the people this one is teaching. If they re very good at tickling people's ears, you will have done as God has instructed us to do in Matthew 7.

 

[Obadiah]

Regina,
Jesus/God gave clear information on when the fruit is rotten and it one is teaching anything that does not align with the Clear word of God without drawing it out of it's context, it is heresy. I have been removed, baned, for pointing out heretical teaching and I was thrown out of one Church for calling the Pastor on the carpet for teaching heresy but the truth of it all is that I do not need to worry about standing the Great White Throne Judgment.As lo as u are sure this teaching does not align with the clear teaching of the Bible, it is your duty to warn the people this one is teaching. If they re very good at tickling people's ears, you will have done as God has instructed us to do in Matthew 7.

And that makes me think I should clarify what I posted above. The ToS here is referring to members of this forum. If the person in question is not a forum member, such as perhaps some well known television preacher, etc, there is no rule against naming names.

 

[Blake]

Here's the reason I posted this question....my gut is telling me not to believe a certain person. That they may be a wolf in sheep's clothing. But I also don't want to go pointing the finger and saying "you're not a Christian!" Like I'm some sort of big-shot judge. So what is the right thing to do? I have spoken out and reminded that person of the fundamentals of Christianity. As we are to use the Bible to reprove one another and we are to be iron sharpening iron. But they still bear bad fruit. It makes me sick thinking about it. I don't wanna hunt out heracy like the inquisition but I cannot bear the thought of wickedness leading fellow believers astray!

I suffer from this often. People who give mighty praise with their lips but their works are dead and they eagerly run to sin, in my case. And they greatly enjoy trying to teach people, prideful in their knowledge when in reality it is often erroneous and completely infantile, but are completely beyond reproof. Can't tell them a thing. In fact, they are closed off to hearing, and pride has cut them off from receiving a word. It is so difficult.

 

[th1b.taylor]

And that makes me think I should clarify what I posted above. The ToS here is referring to members of this forum. If the person in question is not a forum member, such as perhaps some well known television preacher, etc, there is no rule against naming names.

I was thinking about Benny but I'll bet most already knew that.

 

[th1b.taylor]

I suffer from this often. People who give mighty praise with their lips but their works are dead and they eagerly run to sin, in my case. And they greatly enjoy trying to teach people, prideful in their knowledge when in reality it is often erroneous and completely infantile, but are completely beyond reproof. Can't tell them a thing. In fact, they are closed off to hearing, and pride has cut them off from receiving a word. It is so difficult.

Yes, Blake, emptied my last class from 12 to three, including myself when I began to teach what was laid on my heart by the Spirit. In the first lesson we were studying what God was calling us to, the Holy Life, separated unto God. People believe that, if, we are called to live a Holy Life, we must never fail any of the many commands found in the Old Testament a well as in the New.

I wish I could do that but the truth is that I can only try and when I stumble, I need to repent and begin again. Living the Holy Life is living a life dedicated t and separated to God, any of us can do that but if you choose to live that way, you will be persecuted for it. God has told us in the scripture 365 times not to fear and I have never counted but the LORD has told us ore than in just the last three verses of Matthew to serve others with the truth.

 

[ReginaForbes]

Thank you for the reminder Obidiah. I think I will have to "ignore" the person. And if you feel the need to remove this thread, then please do so. I don't want to start trouble. Thank you everyone else for the advice. It helps so much!

 

[Doulos Iesou]

(Edited, ToS 2.14: "Please do not use the message board to air your grievances against other fellow members. If you have observed a violation of the Terms of Service please let a Moderator or Administrator know." Obadiah)

 

[chozen1956]

Even though I'm very fundamentalist in my thinking, I know that my way isn't the only way of believing. There are many Christians out there that I probably disagree with, but the bottom line is that we're all Christians. But what constitutes a Christian exactly? I know it's our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior....but what about those Christians who don't read the Bible or some who don't even believe it? Are they still Christian? What of those who refute basic doctrine like the Virgin birth or the trinity or the deity of Christ...can they still call themselves Christians or are they something else?
What does everyone think? What are fundamentals we should all believe in in order to be able to claim the title of Christian?

The thief on the cross should be your answer. We know nothing of him except that he believed in the Lordship of Jesus. And that is all there is to it. God chooses us. We believe His Son.

 

[Obadiah]

Not directed at the above post. Since as I feared this has now turned personal and ugly, this thread closed. Do not take this dispute public in any other threads.