What makes you a Christian?

Paulus59 · Feb 6, 2020

Copied & pasted from GotQuestions.

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Question: "What is a Christian?"

Answer: 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.”

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.

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How can I become a Christian?

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Paulus59 · Feb 6, 2020

It's God's grace through faith that makes us Christian, having believed in Jesus and his message of salvation with an open heart. It's having your heart and life transformed by his spirit and he will take you on a spiritual journey as you grow in the likeness of Jesus and live less in the ways of the flesh and when you live in the ways of the spirit (Jesus) you will bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) that will build true character and you keep his commandments through true righteousness which is God's perfect love. You cannot be saved by trying to be a Christian with good works and it doesn't come from deducing facts in your mind, you have to be willing to open your heart to his word and believe in him that saves. All faith comes from God who is spirit and will flow naturally from an open heart, it doesn't come from mental belief.

If you have the Holy Spirit then you are on that journey and he will teach you and you will grow & mature, just seek him out everyday in prayer and scripture study so you keep growing in truth & love and fellowship with like minded people.

May God answer all your questions and reveal all things to you!

Victor.

Read this: What is the key to growing as a new believer?
Read this: What does it mean that even the demons believe?

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Norbert L · Feb 6, 2020

It's about being committed to a life long journey towards perfection which is Jesus. Philippians 3:12

Jermayn · Feb 6, 2020

Paper money is a good example. It's valuable to us because we have faith in it to buy goods and services, but even though we have faith in it, it's of no use to us if we don't take it to the market and spend it. You may as well have no faith and just view it as a piece of green paper in that case, because it's not going to help you at all! The verse you've referenced is saying that for someone to say they have faith in Jesus, but takes no action, may as well have no faith. It's just lip service at that point. So, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)", but you must also understand that if you believe in something, you will have actions (works) that follow, which will prove your belief.

Another good verse on this is Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." What does this mean? That your faith, which also involves your actions, will prove that you have hope in whatever it is you claim to have hope in. It's the evidence of the intangible, such as what's in your heart, your intentions, etc... Imagine this scenario. You own a gym and need to hire a new personal trainer. You're first interviewee comes in and is fit, can do 100 push-ups and sit-ups in 2 minutes, and is drinking cold water from a sports bottle. They say they have the workout routine that will get your customers in shape! The next interviewee comes in and weighs 450 pounds, has a 60 inch waist, and eats 2 big macs in front of you before the interview is over. They also say they have the workout routine to get your customers in shape! Which of these 2 people would you say has faith in their workout routine? How did you come to that conclusion? Now apply this same principle to having faith in Jesus.

JacksBratt · Feb 6, 2020

The demons believe.. because they have seen.
The demons are Christ's enemy and enemies of Christ's children
The demons cannot repent.
The demons cannot follow Christ

So, to be a Christian, we believe in Christ and have faith in Him. We hold Him as our Lord and Savior and strive to be like Him. We confess that we are sinners and repent from our old ways.

Demons can do none of this.

98cwitr · Feb 6, 2020

Rebirth: John 3

tampasteve · Feb 6, 2020

MOD HAT ON

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Bruce Leiter · Feb 6, 2020

Go to Ephesians 2:1-10. Verses 1-3 say that we are stillborn spiritually, dead to God when we're born. Then, in verses 4-9, God raises us from the death of unbelief to faith by grace without good works. Finally, in verse 10, he makes us into a canvas ("workmanship") with his future, perfect painting with resulting good works he has planned for us. It's the already/not yet of the good news. In principle, God the Judge looks on us as his perfect handiwork, not guilty because of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. In practice, as our Father, he knows we are far from perfect and have to cooperate with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to grow to be more like Jesus.

Danthemailman · Feb 6, 2020

Amen! The demons believe "mental assent" that there is one God (James 2:19) and they certainly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that His death, burial and resurrection "happened," yet they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are not saved. (Acts 16:31) Their trust and reliance is in Satan, as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

Those who have repented and truly believe in Christ unto salvation hold Him as Lord and Savior and have a relationship with Him. John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (which is an intimate, experiential knowledge, found only in a relationship). The term "know" implies intimate, experiential knowledge, through a relationship with Him, not merely theoretical knowledge.

nolidad · Feb 6, 2020

What makes a christian a christian is when the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer and make them a brand new Creature in Christ. This is done when one places their full trust in hte death an resurrection of Jesus for their sins.

This makes us a Christian and infuses in us that desire to follow Christ and serve HIm!.

Euodius · Feb 6, 2020

I believe it begins with 'to follow Jesus' because He is the Son of God who was incarnated. In the incarnation we are given us not only the possibility of salvation, the possibility for the healing of soul and body - but even moreso the possibility to 'see God' - the God who we are the imagers of and whom is the ultimate desire of our hearts. This desire is a grace given to all people. And in this we have the possibility of direct access to God in His energies.

We, however, are fallen, the image of God that we are is scarred - sometimes beyond recognition - but we bear his image. Through a relationship we learn trust, even though our capacity for trust has been tarnished, and we learn obedience (or rather we learn how to be human - even the law isn't a list of do's and don'ts but an image and guide how to be truly human.) We must, therefore, live in repentance as in repentance do we learn who we ourselves are. Only by becoming who we are are we capable of relationships, including our relationship with God. It certainly is obedience, but a freeing obedience. 'His burden is light.' Sin literally destroys our souls and all we are asked is to stop destroying ourselves by living in the truth - the light of His countenance.

We also see in true Christianity the fulfillment of all prior religions - the hope of all peoples - the correction of all philosophies - and the perfection of all theologies. The intellectual and mystical depth of Christianity can never be exhausted - it embodies all truth and contains no falsehoods - even as the people struggle in repentance (and are prone to being wrong.) This is why we honour the martyrs, for they died in truth and love, refusing falsehood. The martyr is one who truly knows himself and does not compromise against himself, against his God, and against his relationship with his God.

And for simply becoming ourselves through repentance in the saving faith in Christ, we are even given rewards which are far beyond anything which could be deserved - paradise - an eternity moving 'from glory to glory.'

St_Worm2 · Feb 6, 2020

Hello PrincessofGod18, I believe the Reformers may be helpful here as they had a number of things to say about faith in their writings. Here's a summation of what they taught about Biblical faith (about the aspects of it that are essential to saving faith).

Notitia. Notitia refers to the content of faith, or those things that we believe. We place our faith in something, or more appropriately, someone. In order to believe, we must know something about that someone, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Assensus. Assensus is our conviction that the content of our faith is true. You can know about the Christian faith and yet believe that it is not true. Genuine faith says that the content — the notitia taught by Holy Scripture — is true.

Fiducia. Fiducia refers to personal trust and reliance. Knowing and believing the content of the Christian faith is not enough, for even demons can do that (James 2:19). Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus, one personally trusts in Him alone for salvation.

--David

St_Worm2 · Feb 6, 2020

Hello again PrincessofGod18, I'd never listened to a sermon by Pastor Paul Washer until a few days ago, but if you are interested in "what makes you a Christian" (and what doesn't), and you have the time to listen, he certainly goes into great detail about that in his following sermon.

I should probably mention that this sermon is anything but “ear-tickling”, particularly near the beginning, but I do believe you will find a number of the answers you are looking for in it.

God bless you!

--David

friend of · Feb 6, 2020

Believing that Christ lived, died and resurrected to take away your sins. Being born again with the indwelling Holy Spirit which guides you on your earthly journey into all truth. Living out the rest of your life with the view to be pleasing to Jesus your Lord and savior.

Rescued One · Feb 6, 2020

Different people define being "born again" differently. I believe it is a new creation by Christ, not just walking forward to recite a sinner's prayer:

New creation (theology) The new creation (Gk καινὴ κτίσις) is a concept found in the New Testament, related to the new life (ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς) and new man (referring to the spiritual rebirth through Christ Jesus) (καινός ἄνθρωπος) but with reference also to the Genesis "old creation."

The language of a new creation is not limited to the two verses in the KJV that include that actual phrase (Gal. 6:15, 2 Cor 5:17). Other passages, such as Galatians 6:12-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-19, Ephesians 2:11-22, Ephesians 4:17-24, and Colossians 3:1-11 present new creation teaching also, without that exact phrase.

Other references to the concept include the language Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."[1] The old, Adamic creation could not be said to be in any sense "in Christ," so this must therefore be speaking of new creation.

Often the themes of the Genesis creation and new creation are contrasted, as, per N. T. Wright, in Colossians chapter 1, where the old creation and new creation in Christ (1:15-20) are compared with the new creation (vv. 21-23)[2]
New creation (theology) - Wikipedia

So should we ask what or Who makes us a new creation?

Revelation 21:5
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

John 10 (wonderful chapter!)
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

QvQ · Feb 7, 2020

Christianity is the truth. It is the same as the truth of the internal combustion engine. Christianity matches reality. It is an accurate portrayal of what I see in the world. The difference in believing in God alone and being a Christian is that Jesus died on the Cross, redeemed our souls and showed the Resurrection. Christianity is necessary for a proper relationship and understanding of God. "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Blade · Feb 7, 2020

The thing about James is.. demons/fallen angels there is no salvation for them. And in James he said you believe God is one good for you even the demons believe and shutter. There was so much more to this.. above he was talking about how you say see ya to someone that came to your door that was in need and gave them nothing. Or then about faith and works.. on and on.

John 3 16, Rom 10 9-10. This will push over some carts.. I don't find "obedience " in my life that suggests determines I am saved. My salvation is not based on how someone else reads His word. Its between me and that GOD that wrote that word. For me.. how can I love someone I don't even know? The 12 had walked with Christ day and night for a few years. I always see this as "many are going to say they LOVE ME.. if you love me you will keep my words". At some point in my walk... I did get to KNOW Him.. to KNOW Hes not some story.. YESHUA is real! Holy sweet sweet Holy Spirit real.

I just remembered when I was young.. I always just prayed talked to Jesus. Praised only Him. One day the thought came.. what about the Father? That thought kept coming back.. so gently. Then years to see.. The holy spirit never talks of Himself but points to Christ.. Christ we love praise..points to the Father.. My point is.. in this walk. its REAL! And at some point we find .. I really love HIM! I want to keep His word.. to do things that are good are righteous. Not to KEEP ANYTHING.. I already have that..

This god we believe in.. He changes everything (song just said it.. loved) I live like I am loved!

"daughter of The Most High God" this alone.. shouts volumes about WHO are Father is and WHO we are. Act like it.. fits with the song perfectly. Thanks Josheb

Redbucket55 · Feb 7, 2020

Who is that?

What makes you a Christian?

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