What is a Christian?

[LoveBeacon]

Basically, all that I am hearing is that "Everyone should agree, and that agreement should be as I see things...…. Not as THEY see things."

Which of us has the authority to say, "What I believe, is "right' for all of the rest of you." ?

Jesus has the authority. If we line up all of our beliefs and doctrines on Jesus, then only those that don't believe in Jesus will have a problem with His words.

Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

People tend to move away from Jesus and His words, so that is where the disagreement comes in.

BTW, no where do I say you have to agree with my interpretation. Where is that implied in my OP?
Very strange that you are thinking that since I am talking about uniting people together, my goal would be for me to get people to agree with my thoughts. Seems completely opposite to what the spirit of the OP is saying.
In peace

 

[brakelite]

Somehow I think God's definition of what constitutes a Christian might be somewhat more generous than our own. We would tend to catapult anyone who disagrees with us into the fast and wide lane to perdition...while Jesus would intercept them as the sail over the median strip and say, "Hey, slow down. I know him".

 

[farouk]

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
All founded in love
Tecarta Bible PremiumThe witness

As @Dave L was commenting on the other thread on the Lord Jesus' words: 'By their fruits ye shall know them...'

 

[LC627]

A Christian (believer) is anyone who God has foreknown and predestined to be conformed the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29,30)

I hear people all the time say we need to be like the First Century Church but yet I see no one selling all they have..?? The church we need to be is one that is following our Shepherd and remaining unstained from the world and most importantly, Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The word "Christian" has lost its value and meaning in todays time. Many profess to be a Christian but yet are not.

 

[Waiting on him]

A Christian (believer) is anyone who God has foreknown and predestined to be conformed the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29,30)

I hear people all the time say we need to be like the First Century Church but yet I see no one selling all they have..?? The church we need to be is one that is following our Shepherd and remaining unstained from the world and most importantly, Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The word "Christian" has lost its value and meaning in todays time. Many profess to be a Christian but yet are not.

The reason the sold their possessions is because this is the image of Christ.

 

[LC627]

The reason the sold their possessions is because this is the image of Christ.

Is this something that us, present day believers are suppose to do?

 

[Waiting on him]

Is this something that us, present day believers are suppose to do?

Don’t know. This was truly an act of the holy spirit

 

[Waiting on him]

I’m certain there was a lot of economic diversity at that time, as well as today,this was truly an act of love a step toward equality.John was baptizing in the Jordan and said make straight the way of the Lord. The people replied what shall we do. Do you have two coats impart one to your brother who has none. This is not 10% this is 50%. What is your opinion?

 

[Enoch111]

Can you try giving a simple, clear answer? Thanks.

Sure. The answer is in John 1:12,13 (and many other passages):
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

A Christian is one who has experienced the New Birth and is a child of God.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Sure. The answer is in John 1:12,13 (and many other passages):
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

A Christian is one who has experienced the New Birth and is a child of God.

And does any mortal judge that?

 

[Enoch111]

And does any mortal judge that?

Mortals see the good works of the children of God and glorify God.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mt 5:16)

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Mortals see the good works of the children of God and glorify God.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mt 5:16)

I do agree with that verse. I do also feel a sense of caution though-- that my (or any other mortal's) view is limited. It is the fallen man tendency to so quickly classify things on outward markers, when we really don't see the whole picture (including the heart).

 

[Enoch111]

I do agree with that verse. I do also feel a sense of caution though-- that my (or any other mortal's) view is limited. It is the fallen man tendency to so quickly classify things on outward markers, when we really don't see the whole picture (including the heart).

Only God knows hearts. Our job is not to sit in judgment.

 

[Waiting on him]

I do agree with that verse. I do also feel a sense of caution though-- that my (or any other mortal's) view is limited. It is the fallen man tendency to so quickly classify things on outward markers, when we really don't see the whole picture (including the heart).

We sure can witness fruit.

 

[justbyfaith]

A Christian is someone who believes in the gospel as it is given to us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

1Co 15:1, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4, And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

[justbyfaith]

It is a good idea. It does not, however, make one "right."

What makes a person right is whether they have an unction from the Holy One or not.

1Jo 2:20, But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 

[Waiting on him]

A Christian is someone who believes in the gospel as it is given to us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

1Co 15:1, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4, And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

That’s simple enough.

 

[Waiting on him]

What makes a person right is whether they have an unction from the Holy One or not.

1Jo 2:20, But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

He can handle it from there.

 

[Zachary]

Believe it or not ... the NT teaches us:
True saving faith = deep enduring heart belief
+ deep enduring trust + enduring obedience

There is no one word (in any language) which
encompasses everything that this word "believe" means.

Some Greek words can up to 40 different meanings,
depending on the context.

Some Greek words have a slightly different meaning
in the secular world than in the New Testament.

Don't take my word for it ... you need to research it yourself.

 

[brakelite]

I think a Christian in the long run will be anyone that Jesus does not say to, "I never knew you". Many claim to know Him...but the question we should be asking ourselves, is "does He know us?"