How do you know if you are a Christian?

jd01 said:

What is the standard by which to judge?

Click to expand...

My answer to this is... If and when God converts you, you will definitely know it. You will have the evidence you need. Something that would be hard to explain to others. Maybe that's why some people say salvation is personal, it is between you and the Lord. Because it is between you and the Lord.

trulyconverted said in post 21:

If and when God converts you, you will definitely know it. You will have the evidence you need.

Click to expand...

Indeed.

And that evidence is faith itself (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith comes as a miraculous gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, John 6:65; 1 Corinthians 3:5b, Romans 12:3b, Hebrews 12:2) as the elect read (or hear) God's Word the Bible (Romans 10:17, Acts 13:48, Acts 26:22-23).

Dear jd01. A Christian tries to do and think as Christ does. Jesus told us to Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds.
Also: A Christian will also love his or her neighbour, as they love themselves.
Jesus also told us in Matthew 22: 35-40: Love you neighbour as you love yourself. A Christian`s weapon is Love and Compassion. A Christian will always treat a fellow-man or fellow-woman, as he or she will love to be treated.
Jesus our Saviour died that we might live, and Jesus will always lead His followers, or will be followed by His Christians who Love God and love and care for their brothers and sisters. Christ died out of Love for all, and all Christians will follow Jesus to where we came from. I say this with love, jd01
and send greetings to you. From Emmy, your sister in Christ.

Bible2 said:

Indeed.

And that evidence is faith itself (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith comes as a miraculous gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, John 6:65; 1 Corinthians 3:5b, Romans 12:3b, Hebrews 12:2) as the elect read (or hear) God's Word the Bible (Romans 10:17, Acts 13:48, Acts 26:22-23).

Click to expand...

Yes faith in itself is a gift from God.

But I was leaning more on the presence of the Holy Spirit in one's heart.


(2 Cor 1:22 "who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.")

(Luke 11:13. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.)

trulyconverted said in post 24:

I was leaning more on the presence of the Holy Spirit in one's heart.

Click to expand...

If we have faith, then we must have some measure of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, for faith is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

So the evidence of faith itself (Hebrews 11:1) is evidence that we have some measure of the Spirit.

Or are you thinking of the evidence of speaking in tongues: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17)?

If so, tongues are indeed one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8-10), through which believers can be regularly edified (1 Cor. 14:4-5,12,26). Not all Holy Spirit-baptized believers will speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), but almost all will (cf. Acts 19:6, 10:45-46), for tongues are one of the Spirit's lesser gifts (1 Cor. 12:28, 14:5).

Emmy said in post 23:

Christ died out of Love for all, and all Christians will follow Jesus to where we came from.

Click to expand...

Regarding "Christians will follow Jesus to where we came from", where do you believe we came from?

Are you thinking of the idea that we pre-existed as disembodied spirits in heaven before we became humans on the earth?

If so, on what scriptures do you base this idea?

Also, do you believe that we will eventually return to heaven and live there forever as disembodied spirits, and that Jesus Christ is now a disembodied spirit?

If so, on what scriptures do you base this idea?

All Christians need to be careful not to be deceived by the Gnostic/antichrist lie that Christ isn't in the flesh (2 Jn. 1:7) & that believers won't forever be in the flesh. The Bible shows that Jesus Christ wasn't resurrected as a disembodied spirit, but in his fully-human flesh & bones body (Lk. 24:39, Heb. 2:17). That's why his tomb is empty (Mt. 28:6) & why he still has the wounds of the crucifixion on his resurrection body (Jn. 20:25-29). Lk. 24:39 didn't stop being true once Jesus ascended into heaven, for he will remain our fully-human mediator/high priest forever (1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 7:24-26), in human flesh, just like we're in human flesh (Heb. 2:17). And when he returns he will still have the wounds of the crucifixion on his body (Zech. 13:6, 12:10-14).

Gnosticism mistakenly thinks that flesh is evil in itself, & that only that which is pure spirit can be good. But Jesus proves that flesh isn't evil in itself, for he has been made flesh (Jn. 1:1,14, Rom. 1:3, Lk. 24:39) & remains wholly without sin (Heb. 4:15). Genesis also proves that flesh isn't evil in itself, but was created by God as something very good (Gen. 1:31). Adam & Eve were flesh, for they were the progenitors of the human race alive today. And they were immortal before they fell into sin, for it was only their falling into sin which made them become mortal (Gen. 2:17). So Adam & Eve started out as immortal flesh. And so the future resurrection or changing of saved people into immortal flesh bodies like Jesus has (1 Cor. 15:21-23,51-53, Philip. 3:21, Lk. 24:39, Rom. 8:23-25) will be God allowing them to partake of the original, very good, immortal flesh condition of Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden before their fall into sin.

And the Bible shows that the whole plan of Creation wasn't that humans, who are both flesh & spirit (1 Thes. 5:23, Lk. 24:39), would become purely-spiritual ghosts & float forever on clouds in a purely-spiritual heaven with God, but that God would become both flesh & spirit like man (Jn. 1:1,14) & that God would ultimately come down out of heaven to live with man on a future, new earth (Rev. 21:1-4), just as God had walked on the earth in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve (Gen. 3:8). Also, on the new earth, saved humanity will be allowed to eat from the tree of life (Rev. 2:7, 22:2,14), just as Adam & Eve hadn't been forbidden to eat from it in their unfallen state (Gen. 2:9,16-17). So, with regard to saved people, God will completely undo the effect of the fall of Adam & Eve. Saved people will be able to live in an earthly, physical paradise forever with God (Rev. 2:7), just as Adam & Eve & their descendants might have done had not Adam & Eve fallen into sin.

jd01 said in post 27:

This should be the boilerplate for this forum, not some appeal to a doctrine.

Click to expand...

Do not discount an appeal to a doctrine, for we are commanded as Christians to appeal to the true doctrine of the Bible (1 Timothy 4:16; 2 John 1:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Titus 1:9). And we must continue to remember the true doctrine of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Peter 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Indeed, even in order for people to be saved, they must believe (and continue to believe to the end: Hebrews 3:6,12,14, Colossians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:2) the correct doctrine that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and the human/divine Son of God (John 20:31, John 3:36, 1 John 2:23), and that he died on the Cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:46-47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

jd01 said in post 29:

Really?

Click to expand...

Yes.

jd01 said in post 29:

Jesus never said to do that.

Click to expand...

He did, through the apostle Paul (see the references in post 28). See also 1 Corinthians 14:37.

Also, even in the Gospels, Jesus made a positive reference to God's "doctrine" (John 7:16-17). For that is what Jesus' teachings are: "doctrine" (Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32). And we are to continue in his and his apostles' "doctrine" (Acts 2:42, Acts 13:12, Romans 6:17, Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 4:6,13; 2 Timothy 3:10, Titus 2:1,7,10). Indeed, all scripture is profitable for "doctrine" (2 Timothy 3:16). And whoever transgresses, and abides not in the "doctrine" of Christ, has not God; but he that abides in the "doctrine" of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).

So who in the world has told you to avoid appealing to doctrine?

Bible2 said:

If we have faith, then we must have some measure of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, for faith is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

So the evidence of faith itself (Hebrews 11:1) is evidence that we have some measure of the Spirit.

Or are you thinking of the evidence of speaking in tongues: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17)?

If so, tongues are indeed one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8-10), through which believers can be regularly edified (1 Cor. 14:4-5,12,26). Not all Holy Spirit-baptized believers will speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), but almost all will (cf. Acts 19:6, 10:45-46), for tongues are one of the Spirit's lesser gifts (1 Cor. 12:28, 14:5).

Click to expand...

Not tongues. I do not have that gift.

I meant the Holy Spirit.

jd01 said:

What is the standard by which to judge?

Click to expand...

How do you know someone is Christian? Jesus said, "By their fruits, ye shall know them."

But, lots of Christians sin (some in secret, others, not-so-secret). The best way to tell.... "Ye shall know them by their......love."

For me I never use the term "accept". We don't accept Christ. We receive him and it's only after the Holy Spirit has given us the power to believe. Accepting would mean we play a part in our own salvation, when in fact conversion is solely a work of God through the Holy Spirit's intervention. When you rely on what you do for salvation, it becomes a work. That is why we are saved by faith and it is not of ourselves, but of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the faith and the power to believe.

Jesus' instructions were simple: Believe in your heart. Confess with your mouth.

Loving God and others comes out of that faith.

Neither do I use the term "personal savior". Making him a "personal Lord and savior" is not in the Bible. When you have faith in Christ, you know he's the Savior of the world - not just you. Any sort of relationship a believer has with Christ is personal. Does one also have "non-personal" saviors?

Raibeart MacIlleathain said:

How do you know someone is Christian? Jesus said, "By their fruits, ye shall know them."

But, lots of Christians sin (some in secret, others, not-so-secret). The best way to tell.... "Ye shall know them by their......love."

Click to expand...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22

Dear jd01. To be a Christian is to follow Christ`s teaching and Commandments. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus told a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is: Love your neighbour as yourself." A good way to show that you are a Christian, is to show Christ and your neighbour that you believe Christ and follow His Commandments. What does Christ Command us? " Love God with all your beings, and love your neighbour as yourselves. How do we do this? We treat all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends also, we treat all as we would love to be treated. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also. ( Matthew 7: 7-8 " ask and ye shall receive." Then we thank God, and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. God will see our sincere efforts, and God will Bless us. We keep asking God and thanking God, and then sharing all Love and Joy with all around us.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on Loving and Caring. Love is a Christian`s strong weapon, Love will overcome all enmity and bad behaviour. People around us will treat us the same as we treat them, and we will be sign-posts to our Heavenly Father.
Everything we say or do, everything we advice or stand for, SHOULD BE from
Love and Compassion. The world will know that we are representatives of Christ/Christians. I say this with love, jd01. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

jd01 said:

What is the standard by which to judge?

Click to expand...

Did u call upon the Lords name? Hey jd01

Dear jd01. Jesus told us in Matthew 22: 35-40: "The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. ( Jesus`s Words)
Straightforward and easy to remember. All we say or do, All we advise or stand for: MUST BE FROM LOVE AND COMPASSION. It does not come easy to us, BUT Jesus wants it. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also.( Matthew 7: 7-8) " Ask and ye shall receive." Then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. We keep asking God and thanking God, then sharing all with our neighbour. God will see, and Bless us. Jesus is our Saviour and Jesus will help and guide us: JESUS IS THE WAY. Do this and you are a Christian.
I say this with love, jd. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

Dear jd01. Jesus told us in Matthew 22: 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it. Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states this great fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our Love, freely given and no conditions asked.
Jesus told us straightforward and easy to remember, why is it so hard to follow? Why is loving selflessly so very much ignored and neglected? What is wrong with Love? Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also. We simply ask and then thank God and share all loving and caring with our neighbour: all we know and all we meet. God will approve and God will bless us. God will also know that we Love God, because we are following His Commandments to Love.(Matthew 7: 7-8
God is Love and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. The Bible, God`s Word to us, tells us to " Repent," to change from being selfish and unloving to becoming: Loving and Caring. Love is very catching, and Love is a Christian`s great weapon, Love will overcome all enmity and Love will turn all wrong to rights. It might not come to us easily, but God our Heavenly Father wants it from us.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us,and carry on loving and caring: for friend and Not friend. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and He died that we might live. Let us now live for God our Heavenly Father, and love our neighbour as we love ourselves, that is what God wants from us.
I say this with love, jd01. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.