What is a Christian?

HenSoma-OneBody

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The term “Christian” is only used three times in the New Testament. First, in Acts 11:26 it states, “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch;” secondly, in Acts 26:28 states, “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?;” and finally, 1 Peter 4:16 states, “But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.”

In simple terms, the word has been used to describe someone who is Christ-like, but what does that really mean. I have heard that if you are a good Christian you go to church, read the bible, prayer, make you offerings, etc.; however, is that what it means to be a Christian? You do not even have to believe in Christ to do those things. Therefore, how would you describe or define what a Christian is to someone who truly wants to be one?
 

Friedrich Rubinstein

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In 1 John 2:3-6 it says
"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

And further in 1 John 3:7-10
"The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."
 
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GreekOrthodox

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A simple description would be someone who professes or at least agrees with one of the major creeds of Christianity such as the Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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In 1 John 2:3-6 it says
"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

And further in 1 John 3:7-10
"The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

Thank you for your insight Freidrich, both scriptures identify someone who is like Christ. However, based on 1 John 2:3-6, how do we know if we are living like Jesus did? Secondly, based on 1 John 3:7-10, does this mean that once becoming a Christian and you love your brother and sister (who is my brother and sister?), that that person will sin no more?
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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A simple description would be someone who professes or at least agrees with one of the major creeds of Christianity such as the Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
Thank you for your insight. Could you explain what is meant by believe? Is belief simply what I think in my mind? I have believed many things throughout my lifetime, and have found that on countless occasions that what I believed was simply not correct. How do I know that I truly am believing in the proper context mentioned in the creeds you have posted here?
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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Is not a Christian someone who has been born again and whose baptism is a sign of that rebirth?
Thank you for your words, and I do know Jesus said we must be born again when He was speaking with Nicodemus. Jesus said it was a spiritual transformation. Is the baptism you mention here water baptism? If so, what is the evidence that someone is truly born again, it cannot be that they were baptized in water. I know many who claim to be Christians and have been water baptized that bear no fruit in their lives. They live just as the world lives, except they do place efforts in trying to be a good person. Is that what it means to be born again?
 
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adderbolt

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Thank you for your words, and I do know Jesus said we must be born again when He was speaking with Nicodemus. Jesus said it was a spiritual transformation. Is the baptism you mention here water baptism? If so, what is the evidence that someone is truly born again, it cannot be that they were baptized in water. I know many who claim to be Christians and have been water baptized that bear no fruit in their lives. They live just as the world lives, except they do place efforts in trying to be a good person. Is that what it means to be born again?

Baptism does not make one a Christian, it's just a function or a sign of being "born again".

Are you familiar with the Matthew 25 parable, 'Of the Wise and Foolish Virgins'? Jesus is there perhaps suggesting that perhaps one half (50%) of all baptized churchgoers will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
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Friedrich Rubinstein

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However, based on 1 John 2:3-6, how do we know if we are living like Jesus did?
The New Testament tells us a lot about how Jesus lived :) John's statement is not limited to itself, we are supposed to read the gospels to find out what kind of life we are supposed to live.

Secondly, based on 1 John 3:7-10, does this mean that once becoming a Christian and you love your brother and sister (who is my brother and sister?), that that person will sin no more?
A reborn Christian is someone whose "old man" was crucified with Christ. Someone who declares themselves dead to sin. Yes, the Holy Spirit enables us to stop sinning completely. You might want to take a look at this "testimony" of mine:
Dear lukewarm Christian :)

PS: in 1 John "brother and sister" means fellow believers. Living as Jesus did includes a certain behaviour towards non-believers as well though.
 
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Thank you for your insight. Could you explain what is meant by believe? Is belief simply what I think in my mind? I have believed many things throughout my lifetime, and have found that on countless occasions that what I believed was simply not correct. How do I know that I truly am believing in the proper context mentioned in the creeds you have posted here?

In Mark 9, there is a man who requests Jesus cast out a demon who is causing his son to fall into fires and into water, threatening his life. Jesus responds

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood.
22 And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.”
23 And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

As Christians, we make that same cry, "I believe, help my unbelief". We are conflicted by our belief and our doubts. The Creeds are simple statements of our basic understanding of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Apostles Creed was used as a statement of faith before someone was baptized.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

And so on and so forth. They are not meant as a full explanation but gives us an human understanding. After all, the thief on the cross was saved with only, "Lord, remember me in your kingdom".
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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Baptism does not make one a Christian, it's just a function or a sign of being "born again".

Are you familiar with the Matthew 25 parable, 'Of the Wise and Foolish Virgins'? Jesus is there perhaps suggesting that perhaps one half (50%) of all baptized churchgoers will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
I understand, thank you. Maybe it is just me and where I have lived throughout the world, but I have seen numbers that are at least what you have expressed here.
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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The New Testament tells us a lot about how Jesus lived :) John's statement is not limited to itself, we are supposed to read the gospels to find out what kind of life we are supposed to live.


A reborn Christian is someone whose "old man" was crucified with Christ. Someone who declares themselves dead to sin. Yes, the Holy Spirit enables us to stop sinning completely. You might want to take a look at this "testimony" of mine:
Dear lukewarm Christian :)

PS: in 1 John "brother and sister" means fellow believers. Living as Jesus did includes a certain behaviour towards non-believers as well though.
Thank you Friedrich, I will check out your testimony you posted the link for here.
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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In Mark 9, there is a man who requests Jesus cast out a demon who is causing his son to fall into fires and into water, threatening his life. Jesus responds

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood.
22 And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.”
23 And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

As Christians, we make that same cry, "I believe, help my unbelief". We are conflicted by our belief and our doubts. The Creeds are simple statements of our basic understanding of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Apostles Creed was used as a statement of faith before someone was baptized.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

And so on and so forth. They are not meant as a full explanation but gives us an human understanding. After all, the thief on the cross was saved with only, "Lord, remember me in your kingdom".
Thank you for your explanation.
 
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HenSoma-OneBody

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A Christian is, by definition, an adopted child of God. Nothing more needs to be said or done other than accepting that by faith.
And can one choose to live however they wish and still be considered a Christian?
 
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Albion

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Thank you for your insight Freidrich, both scriptures identify someone who is like Christ.
That would be the ideal lifestyle of a Christian, that's right. However, you asked about a definition.

Basically, it is a person who accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior. We can talk about being 'born again' or other aspects of the Christian life, but in ordinary conversation, a Christian is an adherent of the religion by that name and conforms to at least the minimum of what makes a person part of that faith--belief in Christ as one's Lord.

This would exclude, therefore, anyone who thinks Christ was simply a kindly person, a good role model, or something like that. And it would exclude someone who believes that there is a God but isn't sure of who that is or finds all religions, Christianity included, to be worthwhile.

And can one choose to live however they wish and still be considered a Christian?
Not a good Christian. Not a Christian living up to the standards of the faith. But in society (as opposed to the churches of Christianity) and in normal conversation, a person is known, religion-wise, by the religion he identifies with, save only that the minimum in this case includes the commitment described above. Otherwise, he'd most often be considered an admirer of Christianity or a "nominal Christian" or something of that sort.
 
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RaymondG

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I believe, in the past, a christian is what those who did not follow Christ, called those that did....and im not sure that it was a term of honor. For instance, it would be like a group of vegetarians looking at people eating hamburgers and referring to them as "those meat-eaters."

Today, I believe it signifies subscription to the Christian religion and the established doctrines.
 
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The term “Christian” is only used three times in the New Testament. First, in Acts 11:26 it states, “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch;” secondly, in Acts 26:28 states, “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?;” and finally, 1 Peter 4:16 states, “But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.”

In simple terms, the word has been used to describe someone who is Christ-like, but what does that really mean. I have heard that if you are a good Christian you go to church, read the bible, prayer, make you offerings, etc.; however, is that what it means to be a Christian? You do not even have to believe in Christ to do those things. Therefore, how would you describe or define what a Christian is to someone who truly wants to be one?
sons of God in short
 
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