What Is A Christian?

[Walpole]

Quite surprised to see that which makes us Christian and incorporates us into the body of Christ missing from answering the question posed in the OP.

---> "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).

---> "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink." (1 Col 12:13)

---> "For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ." (Gal 3:27)


No baptism = No Christian

 

[WIP]

Quite surprised to see that which makes us Christian and incorporates us into the body of Christ missing from answering the question posed in the OP.

---> "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).

---> "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink." (1 Col 12:13)

---> "For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ." (Gal 3:27)


No baptism = No Christian

I can agree with this. After all, by the very title we claim, i.e., Christian, we are followers of Christ, Jesus, who led by example and got baptized and commanded His disciples to do likewise.

 

[Truthfrees]

You are exactly right Brother. We have to act in faith. This really is not hard at all and everyone acts in faith every day every moment of every day whether they realize it or not. Acting in faith is a decision. We do it automatically. Do I turn left or right? I have faith (know) that a right turn will take me where I'm going. So I make the choice to put my faith into a right turn. Same thing.

Acting in faith towards our Lord is having faith in the unseen and not being afraid to act on it. Scripture tells us to look to the unseen. Because there is the Lord. He's playing Hide and Seek but He is very real and He responds to ALL acts of faith. One can not receive it until the make the choice to believe it and look to it...look to Him, Jesus. The author and finisher of our faith.

He has never let me down when I cried out to Him to help in faith. How many testimonies would you like to hear?!, lol!

amen - awesomely true - God is amazing - God is love - God is our all in all

love to hear all your testimonies - can never get tired of hearing all the awesome things our wonderful God does today - it's like a modern day book of Acts chapter 29

 

[Truthfrees]

Quite surprised to see that which makes us Christian and incorporates us into the body of Christ missing from answering the question posed in the OP.

---> "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).

---> "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink." (1 Col 12:13)

---> "For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ." (Gal 3:27)


No baptism = No Christian

amen - great post

no need to be surprised - just put in your 2 cents and we will all end up with the complete picture

we each have a part that is our favorite part of being a christian - if this is your favorite part it is good you shared because it inspires us all to hear what valuable things you have to share

about no baptism = no christian - i would word it differently - christians get baptized -

i got born again as a child in a church and later when i went to a christian camp that baptized people in the river i got river baptized - i was a christian but as a child no one gave me an opportunity to get water baptized - no one even told me about that option - but i did it the first chance i got and the first time i was told -

same with receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit - i did that the first time someone explained it to me in a loving kind truthful way - the first several times i heard about being baptized in the Holy Spirit it was from people who made it very clear i was a 2nd class christian because i did not have the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues - i decided as a kid that i would show them i was every bit a christian as they were - but one day when someone kindly shared the truth i accepted the truth immediately and desired sought and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit

we have to be so careful to not share the truth with a judgmental critical attitude - it causes people to not hear the truth because they only hear the nasty attitude

 

[Senior]

there is no scripture anywhere that says anyone LOST their salvation -
or that a new creation in Christ can become an old unregenerate person again -
or that a born again person can become unborn again

Then, how do we explain verses such as this little trinity:
-- estranged from Christ (Galatians 5:4)
-- fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4)
-- draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39)

IMO, the Bible was written for believers (not unbelievers),
and all of the dire warnings about falling away, etc.
were written to believers ...
-- to BACs who were involved in habitual sin (for example)
-- to BACs who were doing A-OK (so far, so good)

 

[Truthfrees]

Then, how do we explain verses such as this little trinity:
-- estranged from Christ (Galatians 5:4)
-- fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4)
-- draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39)

great scriptures

 

[Truthfrees]

Then, how do we explain verses such as this little trinity:
-- estranged from Christ (Galatians 5:4)
-- fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4)
-- draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39)

IMO, the Bible was written for believers (not unbelievers),
and all of the dire warnings about falling away, etc.
were written to believers ...
-- to BACs who were involved in habitual sin (for example)
-- to BACs who were doing A-OK (so far, so good)

you could be right - the ot and nt could be written to believers - or it could be written to the world - because God wants all the world to be saved - John 3:16

i don't think God spoke only to believers

balaam was not a believer - he was a seer - he could see into the spirit world - he could hear from God but he could also hear from demons

God spoke to lot's wife via an angel and she certainly was not a believer

the king of babylon was not a believer and God spoke to him via writing mene mene tekel upharsin on a wall

if i think for a while i might be able to think of others God spoke to who were not believers

i don't believe bac's can live in sin for long - the Holy Spirit will keep convicting them of sin and the torment of their sin will continue until they are free from sin - imo someone who lives in habitual sin and has no problem doing so was probably never born again - as the lack of a new nature would indicate

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

There are many denominations who all believe in the same person... Jesus. This shouldn't be so!

Let us try and come together to find a united approach on what a Christian means, so we can try and put together the body of Christ. The first century Christians are a good example of what followers of Jesus looked like.

Acts 2:44-47,"
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;


45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.


46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Where is this singleness of heart that the first Christians experienced? Let's strive to bring that back to what we call Christianity today.

What do you believe is a Christian? Please give a thoughtful and prayerful answer. Leave the debates out of this. Let's work towards unity trying to set aside our differences and come to Christ with a broken and contrite heart.

In peace

1 Corinthians 12 talks about this a bit by referring to the different spiritual gifts given by the Spirit, and also the different gifts and talents given to people being like a body with many parts instead of everyone being the same part.

With this in mind, my answer for what it means to be a Christian is what it means to be a Christian for me. I hope this will also relate to others as well, but if not, I hope they are just a different part of the Body of the church, instead of not part of it. Because one thing it means to be Christian is to hold on to the hope of being part of God's flock.

For me being a Christian means to trust and rely on God. To hope and believe in Jesus. But more then that though, for me it means that I am broken, but with God I am good enough. That I am weak, but with His love, I can keep on. To love as He has shown love in me, and to seek God's help in my weaknesses, my failures, even in my sins.

If I wasn't a Christian I don't know how my outlook would be, but life has had too many failures in it for me not to count it in my approach for who I am. As a Christian, what it means to be a Christian is to have hope in God, have hope in Jesus, and to strive to follow them. Hope on having the Holy Spirit, even though you see your own sins, and your own weaknesses. Being a Christian means to believe the promises Jesus gave, and to strive to follow what you know and learned from God. Expecially what you've learned from the teaching from Jesus.

 

[for_his_glory]

Please ... haven't you noticed the dozens of warnings in the NT
about losing salvation, gaining eternal death, not being allowed
into the Kingdom of God and Christ, being blotted out of the
Book of Life, not being able to enter into the New Jerusalem, etc.?

All of these verses are the reason why Ephesians 2:8-9 is
referring to the grace given allowing you to become a BAC.
But, this grace is NOT promised to continue until you die!
YOU have a part to play in your salvation.
All of these verses are supposed to teach you this fact.

Why can't you just give me the scriptures I asked for in post # 15 as that is all I asked you for. I don't take anyone's words for what they believe unless I can see it in scripture and read it for myself.

 

[for_his_glory]

i think i get what he is meaning about true saving faith = deep enduring heart belief trust obedience - James 2:14 - James 2:17-18 - James 2:19-20 - James 2:22-23 - James 2:24 - James 2:26 - James 2:14-26

true saving faith is a manifestation of the power of God in a new creation in Christ - the indwelling Holy Spirit manifests the works of God - He does the works of God in our lives - and the gift/measure of faith each person who chooses to believe and receive Jesus and God's free gift of salvation is given also comes with the power of the Holy Spirit to be a doer of the word - not just a hearer - James 1:22

if a person is not a doer of the word - aka obedient - it makes one wonder if Christ has been formed in them yet - because if they were the Holy Spirit would be working His work in that person's life/heart - Galatians 4:19 - Philippians 4:13 - Philippians 2:13 - Ephesians 3:20-21 - Colossians 1:29

I totally agree with you and appreciate you displaying those scriptures for others to read. I can't understand why Senior couldn't do the same thing. I'm a stickler for others to back themselves up with scripture.

 

[for_his_glory]

i think i get what he is meaning about true saving faith = deep enduring heart belief trust obedience - James 2:14 - James 2:17-18 - James 2:19-20 - James 2:22-23 - James 2:24 - James 2:26 - James 2:14-26

true saving faith is a manifestation of the power of God in a new creation in Christ - the indwelling Holy Spirit manifests the works of God - He does the works of God in our lives - and the gift/measure of faith each person who chooses to believe and receive Jesus and God's free gift of salvation is given also comes with the power of the Holy Spirit to be a doer of the word - not just a hearer - James 1:22

if a person is not a doer of the word - aka obedient - it makes one wonder if Christ has been formed in them yet - because if they were the Holy Spirit would be working His work in that person's life/heart - Galatians 4:19 - Philippians 4:13 - Philippians 2:13 - Ephesians 3:20-21 - Colossians 1:29

I totally agree with you and appreciate you displaying those scriptures for others to read. I can't understand why Senior couldn't do the same thing. I'm a stickler for others to back themselves up with scripture.

i see it differently - i see that when one is truly born again he has deep enduring faith trust obedience - and if a person has not had a genuine experience of believing and receiving Christ they will not have the Holy Spirit fruit of deep enduring faith trust obedience

so they have either been born again - or they have not yet had that awesome experience for themselves

receiving Christ comes with receiving His Holy Spirit - and that is why Christ is the author and perfecter of our faith - Hebrews 12:2 - Philippians 1:6 - Ephesians 2:10

i believe the more accurate interpretation of all the falling away scriptures is those who were following Christ but then decided not to MARRY Christ - so they were dating and chose not to go all the way so BROKE UP aka fell away

there is no scripture anywhere that says anyone LOST their salvation - or that a new creation in Christ can become an old unregenerate person again - or that a born again person can become unborn again

to the contrary we are PROMISED that the Holy Spirit will never leave or forsake us - John 14:16 - Romans 8:9 - Hebrews 13:5 - Ephesians 1:13 - 2 Corinthians 1:22 - Ephesians 4:30 - so how can the Holy Spirit come live in a new believer and then leave the believer later?

here is a good article that may help clarify: https://www.gotquestions.org/Holy-Spirit-leave.html

This reminds me of of these verses below as they never knew the grace of God to begin with as they just go through the emotions, but their heart is void of God and His Son Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 29:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

[Truthfrees]

1 Corinthians 12 talks about this a bit by referring to the different spiritual gifts given by the Spirit, and also the different gifts and talents given to people being like a body with many parts instead of everyone being the same part.

With this in mind, my answer for what it means to be a Christian is what it means to be a Christian for me. I hope this will also relate to others as well, but if not, I hope they are just a different part of the Body of the church, instead of not part of it. Because one thing it means to be Christian is to hold on to the hope of being part of God's flock.

For me being a Christian means to trust and rely on God. To hope and believe in Jesus. But more then that though, for me it means that I am broken, but with God I am good enough. That I am weak, but with His love, I can keep on. To love as He has shown love in me, and to seek God's help in my weaknesses, my failures, even in my sins.

If I wasn't a Christian I don't know how my outlook would be, but life has had too many failures in it for me not to count it in my approach for who I am. As a Christian, what it means to be a Christian is to have hope in God, have hope in Jesus, and to strive to follow them. Hope on having the Holy Spirit, even though you see your own sins, and your own weaknesses. Being a Christian means to believe the promises Jesus gave, and to strive to follow what you know and learned from God. Expecially what you've learned from the teaching from Jesus.

amen - good word

 

[Truthfrees]

I totally agree with you and appreciate you displaying those scriptures for others to read. I can't understand why Senior couldn't do the same thing. I'm a stickler for others to back themselves up with scripture.

i think sometimes we have read scripture and it impacts our theology but we forget the exact scriptures after our theology is formed

i go through the NT cover to cover 3 times a week so scriptures flood to my mind and then i go look them up - i can remember them almost word for word a result of going through the NT 3x/week - i just have to find them again if i want to post them

i need to find a way to go through the OT more than i do though because there is really good stuff there too - good thing i have a good memory for scripture and can remember the gist of what the OT verses say - if i went through the OT more often than i do i might be able to quote them word for word too

 

[Truthfrees]

I totally agree with you and appreciate you displaying those scriptures for others to read. I can't understand why Senior couldn't do the same thing. I'm a stickler for others to back themselves up with scripture.


This reminds me of of these verses below as they never knew the grace of God to begin with as they just go through the emotions, but their heart is void of God and His Son Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 29:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

amen - i like how you said that - i agree

 

[for_his_glory]

i think sometimes we have read scripture and it impacts our theology but we forget the exact scriptures after our theology is formed

i go through the NT cover to cover 3 times a week so scriptures flood to my mind and then i go look them up - i can remember them almost word for word a result of going through the NT 3x/week - i just have to find them again if i want to post them

i need to find a way to go through the OT more than i do though because there is really good stuff there too - good thing i have a good memory for scripture and can remember the gist of what the OT verses say - if i went through the OT more often than i do i might be able to quote them word for word too

I guess I just find it strange that some do not post the scriptures they are trying to teach from. I just can't accept what another is teaching if they do not give scripture so others can go study them. I don't take anyone's word for anything unless I know what the scriptures are they are speaking of.

 

[Truthfrees]

I guess I just find it strange that some do not post the scriptures they are trying to teach from. I just can't accept what another is teaching if they do not give scripture so others can go study them. I don't take anyone's word for anything unless I know what the scriptures are they are speaking of.

amen - that is true

i post a lot without scriptures and i guess i need to make sure i put scriptures in my post

often i quote the scriptures without posting the address and hope people will recognize the words and save me the time of looking up all the scriptures

but you are right - scripture should be quoted - i better not be so lazy in the future

 

[Senior]

Why can't you just give me the scriptures I asked for in post # 15 as that is all I asked you for. I don't take anyone's words for what they believe unless I can see it in scripture and read it for myself.

I believe most of the NT dire warning verses are
in the following threads (which are in this forum, i.e. CF.net):
You were only forgiven of your past sins
A warning to BACs who are sinning habitually
Habitual sinners are NOT in a saved state
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
Believers’ faith must endure until end of life
The Word came from heaven to free people from sin!
Some of best verses threatening loss of salvation
Do those believing in “grace only” fear the Lord?
My latest understanding of who is going to heaven
Called and Chosen to be Sanctified unto Holiness
BAC's heart attitude determines his eternal future
The fate of BACs who fail to remain “in Christ”

It might be easier just to read the NT itself.

 

[Senior]

i go through the NT cover to cover 3 times a week so scriptures flood to my mind and then i go look them up - i can remember them almost word for word a result of going through the NT 3x/week - i just have to find them again if i want to post them

Kudos for going through the NT so often,
but I'm sure you agree that unless the Spirit reveals
what the verses actually mean, it is not so beneficial.
Please note: I'm in no way referring to you!

 

[Walpole]

I can agree with this. After all, by the very title we claim, i.e., Christian, we are followers of Christ, Jesus, who led by example and got baptized and commanded His disciples to do likewise.

I knew someday you'd finally agree with something I wrote!

 

[for_his_glory]

I believe most of the NT dire warning verses are
in the following threads (which are in this forum, i.e. CF.net):
You were only forgiven of your past sins
A warning to BACs who are sinning habitually
Habitual sinners are NOT in a saved state
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
Believers stay righteous through their obedience
Believers’ faith must endure until end of life
The Word came from heaven to free people from sin!
Some of best verses threatening loss of salvation
Do those believing in “grace only” fear the Lord?
My latest understanding of who is going to heaven
Called and Chosen to be Sanctified unto Holiness
BAC's heart attitude determines his eternal future
The fate of BACs who fail to remain “in Christ”

It might be easier just to read the NT itself.

Sorry, but I am not going to back track through all those threads. If you do not want to give me the scriptures I asked for, so be it as I do not take a man's word on anything they try to teach in scripture if scripture is not provided by them. BTW, I have read the NT many, many times and very familiar with what has been written and have written many articles pertaining to them.

At least Truthfrees was gracious enough to give me those scriptures in James, but I really wanted you to share them with us as we have many that are still on the milk of the word and it is up to us to help teach them through the Holy Spirit teaching us.