What Is A Christian?

[Senior]

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

OK, how many dozen NT verses would thou likest to see?
Concerning what? ... No eternal security, is that it?
It's been so long that I forget what thou wisheth to see.

Sorry everyone ... I tend to joke about stuff that's so ridiculous.

 

[Truthfrees]

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!

i agree

 

[for_his_glory]

OK, how many dozen NT verses would thou likest to see?
Concerning what? ... No eternal security, is that it?
It's been so long that I forget what thou wisheth to see.

Sorry everyone ... I tend to joke about stuff that's so ridiculous.

Sorry you find my asking you a question so ridiculous and then find humor in it. I take the word of God very serious within my teaching it and studying it.

 

[Tessa]

What is a Christian?

One who loves God and his brothers and sisters. Never wanting to hurt them and showing them peace and love.

 

[TheGoldenThread]

Well, it seems that there is relative unity to the OP question(s).
Thanks everybody for sharing your thoughts on what it means to be a Christian. My hope for this thread was for us to come to an accurate knowledge of what it means to be a Christian, in order for there to be more unity in the body of Christ. Though there are many gifts, the gifts are used to benefit the whole body. There is only one body of Christ; let's all strive to be a part of that body.

I recently came across a new YT channel that is saying that ALL churches are not promoting the real Gospel of Jesus Christ. They claim that churches everywhere have left out the cornerstone.

What are people's thoughts on this? Check out the video and share what you think:
bit.ly/Jesusteachings

In peace

 

[Senior]

ALL churches are not promoting the real Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Very few today are promoting the real Gospel of Jesus Christ,
which is ...
True saving faith = enduring deep heart belief
+ enduring trust in Jesus + enduring obedience

It is the obedience part that bridges the gap between
the so-called OSAS/eternal security NT verses
and those NT verses which oppose them.
It is the obedience part that RECONCILES the 2 groups.
Hope this helps someone!

 

[for_his_glory]

The church in Thyatira is present in many churches today as they allow the spirit of Jezebel preach from their pulpits. Rev 2:18-29.

 

[Kkamagwi]

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

A Christian to me is any person who has been given faith by God in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

[Kkamagwi]

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

And yet Jesus told one of the criminals on the cross who was not baptized, "'Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" - Luke 23:43b (NIV). It seems baptism is necessary but that it is not absolutely necessary.

 

[Senior]

A Christian to me is any person who has been given faith by God in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

OK, we can say a Christian is one to whom God has given faith
so that the precious Holy Spirit has come inside that person.
We say this person is a BAC (Born Again Christian).
However, there are faithful BACs and unfaithful BACs.
And there is quite a bit involved in being faithful.

 

[Kkamagwi]

OK, we can say a Christian is one to whom God has given faith
so that the precious Holy Spirit has come inside that person.
We say this person is a BAC (Born Again Christian).
However, there are faithful BACs and unfaithful BACs.
And there is quite a bit involved in being faithful.

Yes, I agree, although I prefer the term "born from above" to "born again."

 

[stovebolts]

And yet Jesus told one of the criminals on the cross who was not baptized, "'Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" - Luke 23:43b (NIV). It seems baptism is necessary but that it is not absolutely necessary.

There are always exceptions.... It's called God's grace.
If you know you are to do something, yet refuse to do it, or make excuses not to do it, are those excuses justifiable in the eyes of God for being disobedient?
In terms of Baptism, we are told to baptize. Jesus started his ministry when he came out of the baptismal waters. If we are following the example of Jesus, we follow his patterns and are obedient to His commandments.... Because we love Him and it is our desire to please him.

Some would say baptism is much like a marriage. It's where commitments and promises for eternity are made.

 

[TheGoldenThread]

Very few today are promoting the real Gospel of Jesus Christ,
which is ...
True saving faith = enduring deep heart belief
+ enduring trust in Jesus + enduring obedience

It is the obedience part that bridges the gap between
the so-called OSAS/eternal security NT verses
and those NT verses which oppose them.
It is the obedience part that RECONCILES the 2 groups.
Hope this helps someone!

Well said. It seems the only time that people teach obedience to Jesus is when they are wanting people to be water baptized. Aside from that we should 'throw out' all the rest of what Jesus taught.

This video really highlights that fact. It shares a teaching of Jesus that is easy to do, yet all churches don't teach it. This channel is just getting started so I am not fully sure of what they teach; but from what I've seen thus far, it seems they are wanting to teach about the Jesus of the Bible. You can check the video out here: http://bit.ly/EasiestCommand
In peace

 

[stovebolts]

Well said. It seems the only time that people teach obedience to Jesus is when they are wanting people to be water baptized. Aside from that we should 'throw out' all the rest of what Jesus taught.

This video really highlights that fact. It shares a teaching of Jesus that is easy to do, yet all churches don't teach it. This channel is just getting started so I am not fully sure of what they teach; but from what I've seen thus far, it seems they are wanting to teach about the Jesus of the Bible. You can check the video out here: http://bit.ly/EasiestCommand
In peace

Just out of curiosity, where did you come up with your thoughts that prompted you to speak about baptism the way you did?

 

[TheGoldenThread]

Just out of curiosity, where did you come up with your thoughts that prompted you to speak about baptism the way you did?

The main motivation behind what I shared is the observation I've noticed people take towards what Jesus taught. I have yet to meet someone that teaches we should listen to the words of Jesus and obey them, except in regards to being water baptized and John 3:16. Aside from that, most of what Jesus taught gets thrown out the window.

In peace

 

[stovebolts]

The main motivation behind what I shared is the observation I've noticed people take towards what Jesus taught. I have yet to meet someone that teaches we should listen to the words of Jesus and obey them, except in regards to being water baptized and John 3:16. Aside from that, most of what Jesus taught gets thrown out the window.

In peace

Ha, I understand. I too have observed the same thing.
Matthew 28:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

There are many that put the primary emphasis on baptism, and once they have brought somebody to the baptismal waters they feel their job is finished

But the scriptures show us that baptism is an entry point, and the beginning of our walk both with Jesus and community.

So I agree, baptism has it's place, and it is a very significant place in the narrative of our salvation, but it's not the end all be.

 

[Randy]

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

Man states many things. But it is God who states who are His children.
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 

[GodsGrace]

Very few today are promoting the real Gospel of Jesus Christ,
which is ...
True saving faith = enduring deep heart belief
+ enduring trust in Jesus + enduring obedience

It is the obedience part that bridges the gap between
the so-called OSAS/eternal security NT verses
and those NT verses which oppose them.
It is the obedience part that RECONCILES the 2 groups.
Hope this helps someone!

It doesn't bridge the gap.
Some OSAS'ers believe they could live how they want to and still be saved.

This is why this doctrine is so....I don't know the word.

 

[GodsGrace]

Man states many things. But it is God who states who are His children.
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Interesting.
HOW does God state who are His children?

 

[Senior]

True saving faith = enduring deep heart belief
+ enduring trust + enduring obedience
It doesn't bridge the gap.
Some OSAS'ers believe they could live how they want to and still be saved.

I'm wondering what wondering thinks obedience means!