Calling yourself a Christian?

[StarTrak]

I'v come to the forum to learn more about Christianity, The Bible and Jesus. Coming from a family without any particular religious views it took me a while before I started looking into religion myself, which I did in my mid teens. Since beginning my search I have read a bit about many different religions.. I was most drawn to Buddhism and almost accepted it.. But THE Buddha (Gautama Buddha) says to search before you accept Buddhism because if there is any doubt in your heart then even if you take refuge you wouldn't be a true Buddhist.. I always had a hard time wrapping my head around reincarnation anyway so I didn't take refuge and I'v been searching ever since..

Recently (Can't remember why - I'm not sure if it was even for any particular reason) I'v been drawn to Christianity.. I haven't read the entire bible, so far I'v read Genesis, Romans and 1 Corinthians.. I just feel like I'm on a good path.. It's a strange feeling, I'm going to continue reading the Bible and am considering visiting a church in the near future..

When is it acceptable for one to call themself a Christian? When is it acceptable for one to wear a cross pendent? I have seen the cross pendant worn by people as "fashion" or worn by people who identify themselves as Christian even visit church but couldn't answer the most simple questions about Christianity.. I feel like I may have found what I am looking for, I hope one day soon I am comfortable calling myself and telling others that I am Christian.. To be honest I feel comfortable telling it to myself now since I'm feeling really good about things, but as of yet wouldn't be comfortable telling anyone else as I don't want people to identify me with the people who identify themselves as Christian but don't know the first thing about it..

Thanks!

 

[heymikey80]

Sorry, I'm sorta technical, and it seems like you're looking for the technical, but I'm sorry if you aren't looking for that.

The issue is whether you recognize Jesus to be the King and Judge of the Universe and rely on Him specifically, for your eternal life. Relying on Jesus is based on the fact that He was dead, then came back to life, about 2000 years ago.

Around 1 Corinthians 15 Paul talks about this subject to the early church at Corinth. He basically says, if this ain't the case, everyone can go home.

 

[paul1149]

I think the most essential definition of being a Christian is found in Romans 10.9-10.

 

[tawnde]

Hi, Startrak. I just wanted to mention if you're interested in learning more about Christianity and you're searching your heart...I would suggest that you read one or all of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, John, & Luke.) These books tell the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

For a simple answer of when you can consider yourself a Christian, I think that's when you have faith (put your trust in Him) and repent of your sins.

 

[StarTrak]

Hi, Startrak. I just wanted to mention if you're interested in learning more about Christianity and you're searching your heart...I would suggest that you read one or all of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, John, & Luke.) These books tell the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

For a simple answer of when you can consider yourself a Christian, I think that's when you have faith (put your trust in Him) and repent of your sins.

Thank you very much. I will read them.

How do I repent my sins? Also.. Is it necessary to get baptized to become a "true" Christian?

Thank you

 

[greatdivide46]

Thank you very much. I will read them.

How do I repent my sins? Also.. Is it necessary to get baptized to become a "true" Christian?

Thank you

As far as baptism goes I'd challenge you to read the book of Acts and see how people there became true Christians. Was baptism involved in their conversion or not?

 

[heymikey80]

How do I repent my sins?

Turn. Changing your attitude toward sins from "my own like" to "what God thinks about it" is the core of repentance and confession. "confession" in modern terms is kind of a "tell-all" about what you did. That's not what it meant when the Bible was written: it meant agreeing openly with God about God's judgment of sins.

Also.. Is it necessary to get baptized to become a "true" Christian?

It is not absolutely necessary to be baptized: it's important to be baptized. It's not a hard thing, and Jesus directed His disciples to be baptized.

But the thief on the cross was saved just as well as any baptized believer.

 

[Sketcher]

Becoming a Christian is a life commitment - the boss of a Christian's life is Jesus Christ, not his own desires. It's kinda like getting married, it has that same sense of permanence to it. Baptism is the public statement that we make once we've crossed the line of faith, if that makes any sense. We put our old ways and beliefs on the chopping block, and let God make the changes he wants to make. We declare this to God in prayer privately, and when we get baptized, we declare this to at least once human witness publicly because Jesus commanded that we all be baptized.

Let me know if you have any questions, or if any of that didn't make sense.

 

[tawnde]

Thank you very much. I will read them.

How do I repent my sins? Also.. Is it necessary to get baptized to become a "true" Christian?

Thank you

Different denominations have different opinions on baptism. I would agree with what another poster said here was to read Acts and see that new Christians were baptized. Jesus was baptized. I don't think baptism is necessary for salvation, but you do it out of obedience to God.

Repentance involves intellectual acknowledgement of sin:
Luke 16:15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Repentance involves emotional sorrow over sin:
2 Corinthians 7:9-10-As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Repentance involves a personal decision to flee sin:
Isaiah 45:22: Turn to me and be saved, all the end of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

It's also very important to understand your identity in Christ.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately sick;who can understand it?
We are children of wrath:
Ephesians 2:3-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

 

[greatdivide46]

Turn. Changing your attitude toward sins from "my own like" to "what God thinks about it" is the core of repentance and confession. "confession" in modern terms is kind of a "tell-all" about what you did. That's not what it meant when the Bible was written: it meant agreeing openly with God about God's judgment of sins.

It is not absolutely necessary to be baptized: it's important to be baptized. It's not a hard thing, and Jesus directed His disciples to be baptized.

But the thief on the cross was saved just as well as any baptized believer.

Why would you even bring up the thief on the cross unless you're trying to say that baptism isn't all that important after all? I mean if we're all supposed to be baptized anyway why bring up an example of someone who wasn't? Besides, the thief was saved before Christian baptism was even instituted so, of course, he wouldn't have to be baptized.

Not trying to hijack this thread but I was just wondering why people always bring up the thief on the cross as an example of how we should be saved.

 

[LilLamb219]

Our Lord promises that if we believe and are baptized we will be saved. He would not lie to us or deceive us

If you believe that Jesus is God who came to earth, lived the perfectly obedient life you could not and died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, then you may start calling yourself Christian!

 

[StarTrak]

Our Lord promises that if we believe and are baptized we will be saved. He would not lie to us or deceive us

If you believe that Jesus is God who came to earth, lived the perfectly obedient life you could not and died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, then you may start calling yourself Christian!

Thank you!! I do!

 

[Emmy]

Dear StarTrak. A Christian is a true follower of Christ. I know what you mean by wearing a cross, it often is an ornament only. But if you like the world to know at a glance, that you are a Christian, wear a plain and not too small one, and be always kind and loving. You could even join the Salvation-Army, then people would know for sure. A true Christian is always kind and helpful, and never shouts or is angry, or even selfrighteous; and always brings the best out of all situations. We are on Earth to learn to love God, as our Heavenly Father, and learn to love our neighbour ( all we know and all we meet) as we love ourselves: treat them as our equals. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[hedrick]

I'v come to the forum to learn more about Christianity, The Bible and Jesus. Coming from a family without any particular religious views it took me a while before I started looking into religion myself, which I did in my mid teens. Since beginning my search I have read a bit about many different religions.. I was most drawn to Buddhism and almost accepted it.. But THE Buddha (Gautama Buddha) says to search before you accept Buddhism because if there is any doubt in your heart then even if you take refuge you wouldn't be a true Buddhist.. I always had a hard time wrapping my head around reincarnation anyway so I didn't take refuge and I'v been searching ever since..

Recently (Can't remember why - I'm not sure if it was even for any particular reason) I'v been drawn to Christianity.. I haven't read the entire bible, so far I'v read Genesis, Romans and 1 Corinthians.. I just feel like I'm on a good path.. It's a strange feeling, I'm going to continue reading the Bible and am considering visiting a church in the near future..

When is it acceptable for one to call themself a Christian? When is it acceptable for one to wear a cross pendent? I have seen the cross pendant worn by people as "fashion" or worn by people who identify themselves as Christian even visit church but couldn't answer the most simple questions about Christianity.. I feel like I may have found what I am looking for, I hope one day soon I am comfortable calling myself and telling others that I am Christian.. To be honest I feel comfortable telling it to myself now since I'm feeling really good about things, but as of yet wouldn't be comfortable telling anyone else as I don't want people to identify me with the people who identify themselves as Christian but don't know the first thing about it..

Thanks!

Jesus doesn't emphasize technicalities. I think you can call yourself a Christian as soon as you've made a commitment to God that you're going to live as one.

However institutions such as the Church and baptism exist for good reasons: as support for us. You'll want to be around other Christians with more experience. The Bible certainly recommends worship. Baptism serves at least as a public commitment. Depending upon your theology, it is also a means which God uses to help you.

Nobody would be upset with you if you started wearing a cross now, but I'd be inclined to wait until you've made a public profession of faith through baptism, and that normally would go with Church membership. While some churches will invite people forward and baptize them immediately, most traditions will ask you to go through some training. For someone new to Christianity I recommend that, even if your church doesn't require it.

 

[salida]

When to call yourself a christian? When a person takes their faith seriously by their actions.

A cross pendant is a fashion statement and sometimes they won't be a christian. Some christians don't even know enough about their bible and ignore this scripture:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Their are many CINO's out there which is christians in name only so beware-they say one thing but do another.

 

[knw1991]

becoming a christian is about realizing that you have sinned, read Exodus Chapter 20 where it lists the ten commandments or go to washedred.com and they have a test to see if you are good enough for heaven. Do you believed you have sinned? Christianity is not a matter of religion or finding one that makes the most sense to you, you will soon see that christianity is truth and its the beginning of a personal relationship with God. It is not a sum of rules to follow because the bible will make it clear that all have sinned. none of us can keep the ten commandments thats why Jesus died to pay our fine, which was eternal death in hell.He died on the cross for our sins and rose again showing himself to over 500 people. Once you believe in Him and repent (changing your mind about sin and accept Christ as truth) then you are saved. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is just a public confession of your faith which Jesus commands. Only Jesus himself can save you. When you realize you have sinned, throw yourself on Jesus and let Him save you. Hope this helps if you have any questions feel free to pm me.