From when on does one count as a Christian?

[LittleLion]

What does it mean to be a Christian?

From what point on does one count as a Christian?

 

[bluedart]

Well, firstly one must understand who Jesus is and what he did for us on the cross. The point when one becomes a Christian is when we acknowledge that we are a sinner, that we need God and surrender our lives over to Him. By surrender I mean that we realize that with us in charge things just are not as good as if He was in charge. So we give Him control of our lives (trust him).

In Acts 2:38 Peter tells people who are convicted to repent and be baptized. The key part is repentance (doing a 180 and turning over our life to God).

And Romans 10:9 states: "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This verse states that we must confess and believe that Jesus is Lord. If he is Lord then he must become Lord of our lives. When we hand over our life to Him we become a child of God and He will give us His holy Spirit to guide us and teach us.

James Chapter 2 tells us that it is not enough to just believe ("even the demons believe that and tremble") but that we must have a faith that has works (that is real). Basically, if we have sincerely handed our lives over we will always have something to show for it, it is a byproduct of true faith. Hope that helps.

 

[LittleLion]

bluedart,

Well, firstly one must understand who Jesus is and what he did for us on the cross.

Who or what determines whether a person indeed understands who Jesus is?

The point when one becomes a Christian is when we acknowledge that we are a sinner, that we need God and surrender our lives over to Him. By surrender I mean that we realize that with us in charge things just are not as good as if He was in charge. So we give Him control of our lives (trust him).

What does it mean to give God control over our lives?

What does such control look like, in everyday life, how is this control experienced?

 

[Adstar]

What does it mean to be a Christian?

From what point on does one count as a Christian?

When One believes in the Word of God, Jesus. As their Redeemer and Lord.

If one is to believe in Jesus one must know who Jesus is and accept His Words.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[LittleLion]

When One believes in the Word of God, Jesus. As their Redeemer and Lord.

If one is to believe in Jesus one must know who Jesus is and accept His Words.

And who determines whether a person believes in God and in Jesus?

Who is the once who determines whether a person indeed knows Jesus (and isn't just saying so)?

 

[Adstar]

And who determines whether a person believes in God and in Jesus?

God does.

Who is the once who determines whether a person indeed knows Jesus (and isn't just saying so)?

God does.

But....

Every person who says they believe in Jesus must turn to His Word to find out if the Jesus they believe in is the real Jesus. Many people have been given a view of Jesus. They need to check that view against His Word. I suppose its something that we all must do if we want to know if the Jesus we believe in is the Real thing and not some twisted creation of tradition.

So it matters not if someone says this person is a follower of Jesus and that person is not a follower of Jesus. What determines it is the Word Of God. Does one accept the words of Jesus?


John 6
63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

There is no point in a person claiming to be a follower of Jesus and disagreeing with the Words of Jesus. Or only accepting a bit here and a bit there. Jesus is a complete package. Not to be added to or reduced.

All Praise The Ancient of Days

 

[Defiant]

What does such control look like, in everyday life, how is this control experienced?

Jesus said that we may know those who have believed by their fruit.
Luke 6:43-4643 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

I think you will find this passage useful:
Galations 5:16-26

Living by the Spirits Power

16So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. 18But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.

19When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

--Emphasis mine.


Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

 

[White St*r]

Littlelion, I have a great piece that was written in 1899 by someone who have helped some of the greatest preachers of the 20th century settle in there faith when they were still young believers, or did not even believe yet.



PM if you would like to read it for more info while you are seeking...



Just don't know if you would be interested, else I would have mailed it to you, thought I'd ask first ...




Blessings.

 

[missionette]

Giving it all to God is basically trusting him! ANd even though i know God already knows what's happening, i still tell him everything that's going on, because that is a sign of trust! If you trust God to keep you safe, you are giving your security to him. If you trust God to help you learn and understand, you are giving your thoughts to him. If you trust God to give you good things, you are giving your works to him. TRUST IN GOD AND HE WILL SET YOU FREE!
he is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

Don't worry, God created freewill, he knew that there would be sin, so sin was not a mistake, he planned on sending Jesus, and he knew that you would have to make your decision....he knows what's ahead in your life, so you can either choose to take his path, or you can choose to take your own....
we aren't robots, because robots can't love....he created love through free will!

 

[Bornagain15]

What does it mean to be a Christian?

From what point on does one count as a Christian?

There are two things you must do before you are considered a Christian:

1. You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). You (and everyone else) are [a] sinner(s) and He died on the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins. You can only be redeemed by His blood.

2. You must be born again (John 3:3). This is usually accomplished through a heartfelt prayer to Christ asking Him into your heart and life. You will usually know if you are born again by a new desire to live for Christ.

 

[bluedart]

bluedart,




Who or what determines whether a person indeed understands who Jesus is?




What does it mean to give God control over our lives?

What does such control look like, in everyday life, how is this control experienced?

Great questions! I agree that God determines who indeed understands who Jesus is.

In regards to what it means to give God control...asking the question "what would Jesus do?" is a great way to look at situations and respond to them. Basically what you are doing is asking "what is God's will?" You can discover this as you begin to do things he wants you to do such as read the Bible (that's how we find out what he wants us to do), going to church, praying, etc. Also remember that when you give control of your life to God you are allowing His Holy Spirit to guide you. The first thing you receive when you decide to follow God is the Holy Spirit (the spirit of God) to direct you (Ephesians 1:14). It is a living presence inside you that impresses things on your heart. As time goes you will be able to recognize this presence more in your life. It is like a compass.