What makes a true Christian?

[Sydney Jefferson]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

 

[The Cadet]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

My specific interpretation of biblical doctrine. anyone else isn't really a Christian.

Facetiousness aside, there are and have been so many different interpretations of the bible and Christianity, and so many sects that believe so many things about them, that defining a "true Christian" really seems like a waste of time. I've seen disagreements on abortion, gay rights, marriage, sex, whether Jesus was the son of god or god himself or both, and virtually every other issue of doctrine. Does the person in question believe in God and Jesus? True Christian. Any further distinction seems pointless. The bible is such a mishmash of conflicting and bizarre claims, with so many possible ways to interpret it, that it seems foolhardy to claim any one is the "true" interpretation.

 

[Chriliman]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

It's pretty simple really. God makes true Christians and you can recognize them by their fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23

The reason it appears that there are fundamental differences between beliefs is because we're all learning about God together, through Jesus Christ who is the perfect image of God. The moment one looks away from Christ, but still tries to learn about God is the moment they begin to believe false things and this becomes apparent in the things they say regarding the truth about God, which can only be understood through the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Saints under him.

Look to Jesus Christ and confess and repent and you will come to know the love of God that surpasses all human knowledge. If you feel you have the fruit of the Spirit you will know that what I'm saying is true. Many on these forums cannot recognize this simple truth because of their hardened hearts. I continue to pray for them and I pray for you, pray for me as well

May God strengthen us through Jesus Christ.

 

[Albion]

My specific interpretation of biblical doctrine. anyone else isn't really a Christian.

Facetiousness aside, there are and have been so many different interpretations of the bible and Christianity, and so many sects that believe so many things about them, that defining a "true Christian" really seems like a waste of time. I've seen disagreements on abortion, gay rights, marriage, sex, whether Jesus was the son of god or god himself or both, and virtually every other issue of doctrine..

FWIW, though, most Christians would answer that the definition of a true Christian is NOT a matter of getting every doctrine correct.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

It's pretty simple really. ... you can recognize them by their fruits of the Spirit.

Excellent - so what are the distinguishing characteristics of these fruits?

 

[Soyeong]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

If God required everyone to have a perfect understanding of everything facet of the Bible before we could enter His kingdom, then it would be very underpopulated. Happily, we serve a God who loves us in spite of our flaws and died for us while we were still sinners. That being said, I think there is a point where our understanding of the Bible is so different from what God instructed that they aren't following the same religion. We are all on a journey and if you asked me what I thought a true Christian was three years ago, then you would have received a different reply than today. Now I think a true Christian is one who makes a practice of following Messiah's example of obedience to the law by grace through faith.

 

[jacks]

I think it comes down to Mathew 22:37-40 If you can come close to doing this you're a "true Christian".

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

[The Cadet]

I think it comes down to Mathew 22:37-40 If you can come close to doing this you're a "true Christian".

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So in other words, Brian Fischer isn't a true Christian?

 

[bhsmte]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

Based on simply viewing the posts of Christians on this site, judging who is a true Christian is purely subjective, and heavily based on personal ideology.

One common phrase is, you can judge them by their fruits.

Well ok, who gets to judge the fruits and make that determination?

 

[Shempster]

One common phrase is, you can judge them by their fruits.

Well ok, who gets to judge the fruits and make that determination?

The fruits of the spirit.
That basically means that your very nature is like the Father. You respond to others with empathy, not cynicism. With acceptance, not bigotry. With gentleness, not harshness. With forgiveness, not bitterness. With kindness, not rudeness.

I know folks who say that the fruit of the spirit is when you post lots of religious stuff on social media. Or perhaps doing daily devotions or maybe going on a mission trip.
Well, its not about religion at all. Its about treating others better than yourselves and honoring the Father in every thought and intention.

 

[lesliedellow]

I would say that anybody able to assent to the Nicene Creed fulfils the minimum requirements for being a Christian. They can then be a good, bad, or somewhere in between, Christian.

 

[blackribbon]

Based on simply viewing the posts of Christians on this site, judging who is a true Christian is purely subjective, and heavily based on personal ideology.

One common phrase is, you can judge them by their fruits.

Well ok, who gets to judge the fruits and make that determination?

The OP placed the caveat on the discussion to be "based on biblical text" so it isn't as open as you want this discussion to be.

A Christian is simply someone who believes John 3:16. Over time, we hope their life shows evidence of the mentioned fruits of the spirit, Gal 5:22-23. And like was said before, this is done by following Matt 22:37-40. But the most basic requirement is to truly believe that Jesus is God. Even the man who was dying on the cross and had no opportunity to live his belief was told he would be in allowed into Heaven. Luke 23:39-43.


John 3:16 NIV
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Luke 23:39-43 NIV
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

[Shempster]

I would say that anybody able to assent to the Nicene Creed fulfils the minimum requirements for being a Christian. They can then be a good, bad, or somewhere in between, Christian.

I don't know why this concept is so hard for modern Christians to accept. What one believes only counts for something if it actually DOES something to a person. I know hateful, cynical, fearful, paranoid Christians who believe everything they are supposed to.

 

[J. Elias]

Hmm...so far as judging the state of one's soul, i.e. their salvation, it would seem we are unable to judge, in fact we are commanded by Paul to not judge on part of Christ. However, judging from fruit may be profitable. Unfortunately, seemingly good fruit can turn out to be quite bitter and repulsive. Interestingly, I just read John 13:35 "And by this the world will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Perhaps this is the best measure. Of course, evidence of the Spirit's regeneration resulting in life change are things like purer motives, a greater tolerance and love for fellow men, temperance, etc. But those things come with time, and it would seem possible for one to be saved without being explicitly "marked" per se in such ways.

 

[DogmaHunter]

It's pretty simple really. God makes true Christians and you can recognize them by their fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23

The reason it appears that there are fundamental differences between beliefs is because we're all learning about God together, through Jesus Christ who is the perfect image of God. The moment one looks away from Christ, but still tries to learn about God is the moment they begin to believe false things and this becomes apparent in the things they say regarding the truth about God, which can only be understood through the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Saints under him.

Look to Jesus Christ and confess and repent and you will come to know the love of God that surpasses all human knowledge. If you feel you have the fruit of the Spirit you will know that what I'm saying is true. Many on these forums cannot recognize this simple truth because of their hardened hearts. I continue to pray for them and I pray for you, pray for me as well

May God strengthen us through Jesus Christ.

Sounds like you are saying "anyone who agrees with my particular beliefs concerning the bible, is a true christian".

 

[DogmaHunter]

The fruits of the spirit.
That basically means that your very nature is like the Father. You respond to others with empathy, not cynicism. With acceptance, not bigotry. With gentleness, not harshness. With forgiveness, not bitterness. With kindness, not rudeness.

Sorry, but that doesn't sound like the vengefull and jealous god of the bible.

You're talking about an entity who apparantly has no problems subjecting you to eternal punishment for the "crime" of being born in the wrong place and growing up with the wrong religion.

I know folks who say that the fruit of the spirit is when you post lots of religious stuff on social media. Or perhaps doing daily devotions or maybe going on a mission trip.
Well, its not about religion at all. Its about treating others better than yourselves and honoring the Father in every thought and intention.

So.... YOU are a true christian, but all those other people who believe differently about what "the fruit" is, aren't?

 

[bhsmte]

Sounds like you are saying "anyone who agrees with my particular beliefs concerning the bible, is a true christian".

Usually the way it works.

 

[Noxot]

I've heard people talk about it, and to be perfectly honest, though they all seem to follow the basics, there are fundamental differences between what they believe, and i think that influences their answers. And some of these answers i dont understand fully, or they seem to accuse everyone professing Christianity to be hypocrites to some extent. So basically, what do you guys think, based on biblical text, makes a true Christian?

if I have to use a bible verse I could throw many different ones out there and interpret them in any way i have the ability to and so no bible verse alone is enough but I would say that also no interpretation alone is enough either and so it all goes back to what a person thinks and what table they eat from or where they are at in their journey with God. you tell me to play the game of 'the authority of scripture' even though you might understand what i quote in a completely different way than i do... so here we go!

1 John 5:18-20 (YLT)
We have known that every one who hath been begotten of God doth not sin, but he who was begotten of God doth keep himself, and the evil one doth not touch him; we have known that of God we are, and the whole world in the evil doth lie; and we have known that the Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ; this one is the true God and the life age-during!

Christ is universal humanity and the nature of such has no sin in it, therefore I find a fallen sinful nature and an absolute true humanity in the highest sense which is eternal for the son of man is the son of God. so functioning in a cut off man of the world is like trying to exist in reality through discursive knowledge rather than final knowledge. and so the soul is in the image of God inasmuch as she is united to God but there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for those outside the heavenly city. but the Lord shall destroy his enemies with divine fire and then there shall be no more sin and all things will be seen for what they are...

therefore a real christian is a real human.

so we exist eternally inside of God but this world is like a secondary cause as if the soul was divided from the spirit and we play the game of returning home to God and it makes a unique expression of love being in this kind of condition. but everyone was blinded because the game got too intense and so Jesus being the fullness of reality came to show us what we forget we are and now we rejoice that we have our shadow to overcome out of love to God.

 

[Noxot]

Sorry, but that doesn't sound like the vengefull and jealous god of the bible.

You're talking about an entity who apparantly has no problems subjecting you to eternal punishment for the "crime" of being born in the wrong place and growing up with the wrong religion.

i'm sorry that, like most Christians, that you feel God is such.

 

[DogmaHunter]

i'm sorry that, like most Christians, that you feel God is such.

It's what it's in the book. Even his 10 "commandments" are infested and tainted with this pathological jealousness.