What is a Christian?

Cenababy: A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower of Christ.”

Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “…by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

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Cenababy: A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ.

Zanjan: Back then, nobody knew what a Christian was. We do now.

When somebody tells me they're a Christian, I instantly get a picture of the whole of Christianity in my mind and the state it's in everywhere in the world. That person is telling me they've associated themselves with that "body" - the wicked with the good - not necessarily that they've associated with Christ.

Some have told me that they're "born again" Christians. Meanwhile, I'm thinking 'Try it one more time'. A wise man doesn't need to go about town, trumpeting to people "I am wise".

You see, I decide on my own *who* the good men are - they have to be a total standout from the others, regardless of their religious affiliation. Yet we shouldn't use these as our models. Our model is God's Will for us.

Cenababy: Judge by the walk not by what a person says! Example, you tell me you love me but then slam my face into a brick wall. Shall I believe what your words say or how you treat me?

Zanjan: Well, that almost goes without saying, except when it's the loving God who's doing the slamming.

God: I love you, now I'll throw you into the fiery furnace. Stop crying, I know what I'm doing!

I prefer the signals to be lying, deceit and theft.

Cenababy: Lol

S W l N E:
Looks like a lot of No True Scotsman fallacy and semantics to me.

A Christian is merely someone who believes/accepts Jesus as the Christ.

Cenababy: Swine what posted above IS an explanation, ypu may not understand but it is.

S W l N E:
Present me a Christian who meets your qualification then.

Cenababy: You must not know many christians!

S W l N E:
Hence why I'm asking you to show me one who meet your above qualification. Thanks.

Cenababy: Swine i think the above is clear. I view the above and/but realize we are human and fall short. To strive in this world to be like cheist is the virtue, Christ was perfect, we are not. ONLY Jesus knows our heart.

S W l N E:
The bible did say to be perfect, didn't it?

But I ask again, if you can show me someone who meets your above qualifications. That wasn't me being rhetorical. I do want to me such a person and question their views a bit.

Cenababy: I think i have friends who are much like what Jesus teaches even two on here. I strive to be more christian everyday, am i perfect, ofcoyrse not

Cenababy: * ofcourse

S W l N E:
Do you consider yourself meeting the above criteria in your views?

Cenababy: I consider myself to be learning how to walj and yes i agree that i accept Jesus in the christian sense. Its also i realize very hard to live in this world and be perfect. I strive each day to become more

S W l N E: Then you're not a Christian?

Cenababy: Yes i am. Jesus knows who i am and that i am human. There is much in the bible about this.

Cenababy: Ok talk soon.

S W l N E:
okay so let's recap.

You don't follow the criteria you list as what a Christian is but you call yourself a Christian.

Only means I'm right. But I also want to know some of your social & political views at another time to know if it adheres with the bible.

TheDoctor394: Cena, you've explained excellently what a Christian is, and it's true it's become a very vague, general term. Biblically speaking and historically speaking, a Christian is someone who understands who Jesus is, what He did and why He came to do it, and accepts Him as Saviour.

Cenababy: Doc exactly, ty

Zanjan: Accepts Him as THEIR Saviour.

S W l N E: Right and that's all to it. A christian is a person who accepts that specific Jesus person as Christ.

Zanjan: Hey, nobody's talking about heaven here - just membership in a group, whose members think that heaven awaits them AFTER they die. It's just a lineup, man.