The Phrase 'I am a Christ follower but not a Christian'

Introverted1293

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Have you heard this phrase among people who follow Christ, but don't want to be known as a Christian?

What do you think of people who make statement like this? I have use this phrase myself, so there's no judgement. Although, I struggle following Christ, and I fail all the time gaining victory over my sin, so I can not even make a claim that I am a follower of Christ.

But the question is, does this phrase make sense?
 

faroukfarouk

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Have you heard this phrase among people who follow Christ, but don't want to be known as a Christian?

What do you think of people who make statement like this? I have use this phrase myself, so there's no judgement. Although, I struggle following Christ, and I fail all the time gaining victory over my sin, so I can not even make a claim that I am a follower of Christ.

But the question is, does this phrase make sense?
No it doesn't.

Justification by faith is a glorious truth; Romans 5.1, etc.

Romans begins and ends with an affirmation of 'the obedience of faith', 'obedience to the faith'.

John in his First Epistle says: "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

May you indeed find the precious grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus and His work at the Cross! :) (Ephesians 2.8-9)
 
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Dave G.

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Have you heard this phrase among people who follow Christ, but don't want to be known as a Christian?

What do you think of people who make statement like this? I have use this phrase myself, so there's no judgement. Although, I struggle following Christ, and I fail all the time gaining victory over my sin, so I can not even make a claim that I am a follower of Christ.

But the question is, does this phrase make sense?
I think you will find the answer right within your own reasoning. Why do you do that, what is the purpose ?

My own view is that you want to stand separate from the body of Christ ( His church). That said, Satan can follow Jesus Christ on one level, it doesn't mean he has accepted Him as his personal Lord and Savior though. Have you ?
 
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Halbhh

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I think there is a Tower of Babel effect that will always happen on Earth until it has been removed forever.

Even speaking the same language it's like a different tongue from one person to another -- and we need so much to practice "love one another", because the love helps us better get past the not-understanding-each-other-quickly troubles.

The word "Christian" does indeed mean many things to many people because it is used so much in the secular (non Christian) culture.

But also, I found out that "Christian" appears in Acts. In Acts 11:26 --
"...and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Some (like me) think "Christian" means both to believe in Christ as the risen Son of God, Who will come again, but also to from that faith seek to listen to His words and follow Him. To both believe and follow. Of course we must follow. But I can totally accept another person saying it means simply to believe.

Sometimes non believers even use the word "Christian" when they refer to outrageous acts that obviously don't follow what Christ said to do. This greatly confuses the meaning of the word.

So many ways, to mean so many things, that....we must return to the most key central thing often, faith in Him.

"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."

Hallelujah!
 
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Bluerose31

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Have you heard this phrase among people who follow Christ, but don't want to be known as a Christian?

What do you think of people who make statement like this? I have use this phrase myself, so there's no judgement. Although, I struggle following Christ, and I fail all the time gaining victory over my sin, so I can not even make a claim that I am a follower of Christ.

But the question is, does this phrase make sense?
I like both phrases. I think it is fine to say that you follow Christ and it is fine to say you are a Christian. All that matters is your relationship with Jesus.
 
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brinny

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Judas was a "follower" of Christ. He "followed" Him literally. He was also the "treasurer", so to speak, and stole from the coffers.

So yeah, there's that.
 
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Introverted1293

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Judas was a "follower" of Christ. He "followed" Him literally. He was also the "treasurer", so to speak, and stole from the coffers.

So yeah, there's that.

That's a good point, brinny. What matters is the heart.
 
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Introverted1293

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I like both phrases. I think it is fine to say that you follow Christ and it is fine to say you are a Christian. All that matters is your relationship with Jesus.

Thank you
 
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1213

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...What do you think of people who make statement like this?...

It depends a lot how the word “Christian” is defined. In Bible, disciples of Jesus were originally called Christians.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

And person who truly is a disciple of Jesus is defined by this:


Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

John 8:31-32

But now the question is, what does it mean to follow Jesus?
 
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Introverted1293

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I've heard the phrase and dislike its usage. Also, I don't like using believer in place of Christian. People can believe all sorts of things apart from faith Christ.

Huh

I get it. It says demons believe and tremble.
 
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Halbhh

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It depends a lot how the word “Christian” is defined. In Bible, disciples of Jesus were originally called Christians.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

And person who truly is a disciple of Jesus is defined by this:


Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

John 8:31-32

But now the question is, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

Yes! John 15 has that answer (though as one is reading through the whole gospel it is understood better and more).
 
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Introverted1293

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I think there is a Tower of Babel effect that will always happen on Earth until it has been removed forever.

Even speaking the same language it's like a different tongue from one person to another -- and we need so much to practice "love one another", because the love helps us better get past the not-understanding-each-other-quickly troubles.

The word "Christian" does indeed mean many things to many people because it is used so much in the secular (non Christian) culture.

But also, I found out that "Christian" appears in Acts. In Acts 11:26 --
"...and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Some (like me) think "Christian" means both to believe in Christ as the risen Son of God, Who will come again, but also to from that faith seek to listen to His words and follow Him. To both believe and follow. Of course we must follow. But I can totally accept another person saying it means simply to believe.

Sometimes non believers even use the word "Christian" when they refer to outrageous acts that obviously don't follow what Christ said to do. This greatly confuses the meaning of the word.

So many ways, to mean so many things, that....we must return to the most key central thing often, faith in Him.

"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."

Hallelujah!

That sounds simple, but also hard to do.
 
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Introverted1293

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I think you will find the answer right within your own reasoning. Why do you do that, what is the purpose ?

My own view is that you want to stand separate from the body of Christ ( His church). That said, Satan can follow Jesus Christ on one level, it doesn't mean he has accepted Him as his personal Lord and Savior though. Have you ?

I have

I even got baptized.

But I am having trouble following him. So my salvation is questionable.
 
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Halbhh

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That sounds simple, but also hard to do.

You mean "to follow"? The Gospel of John is deeply helpful in that, where we read so many helpful parts (the very act of reading/listening/hearing itself is aid to us!), and especially as we read through we have the powerful and central teaching in John ch 15, v 1-17, though it is more and more clear from the listening and reading through all of John. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."


 
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Introverted1293

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It depends a lot how the word “Christian” is defined. In Bible, disciples of Jesus were originally called Christians.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

And person who truly is a disciple of Jesus is defined by this:


Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

John 8:31-32

But now the question is, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

Like you said, remain in his word. And of course, do what it says.
 
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Introverted1293

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You mean "to follow"? The Gospel of John is deeply helpful in that, where we read so many helpful parts, and especially as we read through we have the powerful and central teaching in John ch 15, v 1-17, though it is more and more clear from the listening and reading through all of John. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

Thank you

That's very helpful.
 
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brinny

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There's also this:

"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." ~Mark 8:38
 
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Dave G.

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I have

I even got baptized.

But I am having trouble following him. So my salvation is questionable.
Ok good. If you are having trouble following Him, then draw nearer to Him and He will draw nearer to you. Usually having difficulty following him means that something else is getting in your way LOL !! Put it aside, set your eyes upon Him, He is right there with you.
 
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Introverted1293

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There's also this:

"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." ~Mark 8:38

That's something I need remember.
 
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