What is a Christian

12/30/01 | Me

[Sparkvark]

Ive noticed alot of threads on FR that mention Christianity. I was wondering, how do you define yourself as a Christian? Does merely professing oneself a Christian make you one? Im curious, how do you perceive the Christian faith?

[OWK]

I recognize Christians, as those who revere and follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

They are generally easy to spot, but unfortunately somewhat rare.

They are peaceful people. Compassionate, considerate, and caring. They actually take the "love thy neighbor" thing seriously. They serve as excellent witnesses, but as much by example as by word. In short, they strive to model their live after the teachings of the Nazarene. You can tell a Christian by the feelings he inspires in others.

And by contrast, there are the people who spend their entire lives professing Christianity, but who haven't the slightest desire to follow the teachings of Christ. They see their faith as an instrument of self-righteous scorn and ridicule. They see it as a tool with which to set themselves above others, for their own agrandizement. In short, they model their lives after their desire to spit in the eye of those they deem unworthy. And just as with the true Christian, you can tell these folks by the feelings they inspire in others.

[Gasshog]

good answer!

[Eagle Eye]

True Christians believe the Bible is inspired word of God and follow the principles contained in it.

So there were no "true Chrsitian's" before the KJV? The Apostle Paul didn't believe in the Bible at all.

[TankerKC]

And in some regard, thats one of the elements that seperates Christianity from Catholicism.

What in heaven’s name could you possibly be referring to? There is no heredity element to being a Catholic. Neither of my parents were Catholic. Neither of my wife’s parents were Catholic. Yet, we both are Christian Catholics.

[TankerKC]

So there were no "true Christian’s" before the KJV? The Apostle Paul didn't believe in the Bible at all.

A good question. I'm interested in answers to this. Was Christianity stated with the canonization of the Bible (New Testament)? Or, was it started when the Bible became readily available in print? Or, was it when literacy reached a certain point? Or, was it when a local “preacher” opened his House of the Holy Fire in an old dry cleaner’s near my house?

[Alas]

Good answer, other than the part below,

'And just as with the true Christian, you can tell these folks by the feelings they inspire in others. '

That would eliminate the Apostel Paul and actually, if you read John 6:28 through the end of John 6, the Lord Himself. For the feelings the Lord inspired in many of His followers that day was for them to flee from Him.

My only other question would be, why refer to Him as the Nazarene, instead of as the Messiah. many were and are Nazarenes, but only Yeshua is Christ, Messiah.

Merry belated Christmas.

[Alas]

So there were no "true Chrsitian's" before the KJV? The Apostle Paul didn't believe in the Bible at all.

I would be most interested in knowing your source for claiming that Paul did not blieve in the Bible. Both He and Peter repeatley refer to Scripture and in 2 Timothy 3:16&16 Paul defends Scripture to Timothy, telling him: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

[Eagle Eye]

How about Christianity starting in reality when the disciples were in the temple and they were filled with holy spirit, but didn't start in doctrine until years later when Paul figured out by revelation that the jews and getiles were one body in Christ etc etc. Col 1:27.

[Eagle Eye]

I would be most interested in knowing your source for claiming that Paul did not blieve in the Bible.

Maybe you should actually think about this before you react. Or are you one of those that actually believe that 'if the KJV was good enough for Paul, it's good enough for me'? What version of Bible did Paul carry? Red letter edition? Complete with concordance and atlas? Heck he didn't even carry a pocket size set of scrolls, now did he?

Or maybe he had a Gideon's New Testament?

[OWK]

My only other question would be, why refer to Him as the Nazarene....?

Because he was a Nazarene.

[maestro]

The New Birth....Starts at the BEGINNING!!................ie. Romans 10:17

[maestro]

The New Birth....Starts at the BEGINNING!!................ie. Romans 10:17

[markn]

What in heaven’s name could you possibly be referring to? There is no heredity element to being a Catholic. Neither of my parents were Catholic. Neither of my wife’s parents were Catholic. Yet, we both are Christian Catholics.

I would like to state that I never said that it is impossible to become a Catholic when you don't have Catholic parents. However, I said Catholicism was hereditary. I mean that in the sense that the primary way of becoming a Catholic is having Catholic parents (instead of trusting on the Lord Jesus).

Obviously, there are many people who became Catholics without having Catholic parents. However, Catolicism regards a person who has never believed in Jesus as their Savior to be a "Christian" simply because their parents were Catholic and had them baptized. That is in contradiction with what is taught in Scripture. I realize that there is a confirmation when they get older. That is irrelevant. Baptism is only for those who repent and can testify that they have experienced the salvation through the atonement of Christ.

[markn]

What is a Christian? A friend of Christ. Someone who wants to introduce others to the best friend a person can have.

That is an insightful definition. I would say that "follower of Christ" or "disciple of Christ" would be more accurate, though.

[OWK]

I mean that in the sense that the primary way of becoming a Catholic is having Catholic parents....

What religious sect, shamanistic tradition, mythos, or other supernatural belief set is the NOT true of?

[alnick]

Yes.

[markn]

What religious sect, shamanistic tradition, mythos, or other supernatural belief set is the NOT true of?

I am not talking percentage-wise. (obviously the majority of Christians have Christian parents) What is really significant is whether the children of Christian parents automatically become Christian, which is the case in Catholicism.

[OWK]

What is really significant is whether the children of Christian parents automatically become Christian, which is the case in Catholicism.

?

[sistanani]

I AM A SINNER, AND I NEED A SAVIOR. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS. THROUGH HIS GRACE I HAVE BEEN SAVED AND I KNOW THAT GOD'S PLAN IS A HOME FOR ME IN HEAVEN. NO MAN WILL ENTER PARADISE UNLESS IT IS THROUGH HIS SON. I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND I TOO LOVE GOD TO THE DEPTS OF MY SOUL. THROUGH DAILY REPENTANCE AND LOVE OF JESUS ALL MEN MAY ALSO HAVE REDEMPTION.

[AppyPappy]

Wow, you signed up today to resurrect this thread? I'm impressed.

Turn off the caps lock.