Need some input...was Mary a Christian?

[TrustAndObey]

Hi everybody! I asked this question on a different forum and I was surprised at some of the answers I got. I wanted to see what you all thought......

The dictionary definition of a Christian is: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ".

While reading the Bible you know the dictionary definition is a little vague, but summarizes it in a nice, quick manner.

I know Mary was of a Jewish bloodline, but anyone can become a Christian, right?

I'm Irish, but I became a Christian.

Mary definitely believed that Christ was the Messiah (how could she NOT?), so do you think she was one of the first (if not the first) Christian?

I look forward to any comments! Thanks!

~Lainie

 

[Airdude]

Mary definitely believed that Christ was the Messiah (how could she NOT?), so do you think she was one of the first (if not the first) Christian?

I would say the Mary as well as the eleven remaining desciples were the very first Christians.

 

[PaleHorse]

I agree, Mary and the disciples were Christians no matter what their ethnicity was. I'm part Irish and Swede by blood, that doesn't mean I'm follow celtic or norse paganism. Christian come from all ethnic backgrounds.

 

[SassySDA]

Mary and the disciples were christian...

 

[TrustAndObey]

I agree that Mary and the apostles were the first Christians. And as CHRISTIANS they kept the Sabbath commandment.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard "well yeah Mary kept the Sabbath even after Christ died, she was Jewish."

Luke 23:56 - And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Christ had already died on the cross at this point and Mary was most definitely a CHRISTIAN at that point as well.

 

[alethakays]

i dont know.. cuz she birthed jesus and christanity wasnt untill after his death right? maybe after his death she became christian....hmmm that was a good question.. something to ask God when we get to heaven

 

[smooze]

oh a Jew she must have been >God sent MARY a special package to present to the jews. He said so many times he was the messiah and performed miracles and such. They still crucified HIM (Jesus) They basically invited him to the temple then HE ripped it apart which generally made them mad. He was defiantely bad for business. I still am dumbfounded why we still can't have enough faith to heal each other. Jesus must be looking down on us and saying did i not explain it to the fullest. *dear Jesus* how many chances does mankind have please enlighten us all *cough* again Praise your name and infinite love to include all people to enherite your fathers kingdom AMEN ^

 

[SassySDA]

i dont know.. cuz she birthed jesus and christanity wasnt untill after his death right? maybe after his death she became christian....hmmm that was a good question.. something to ask God when we get to heaven

Why would christianity not have begun until AFTER his death? Don't you think that's what His ministry was all about? He was alive then.

 

[SassySDA]

oh a Jew she must have been >God sent MARY a special package to present to the jews. He said so many times he was the messiah and performed miracles and such. They still crucified HIM (Jesus) They basically invited him to the temple then HE ripped it apart which generally made them mad. He was defiantely bad for business. I still am dumbfounded why we still can't have enough faith to heal each other. Jesus must be looking down on us and saying did i not explain it to the fullest. *dear Jesus* how many chances does mankind have please enlighten us all *cough* again Praise your name and infinite love to include all people to enherite your fathers kingdom AMEN ^

A jew she difinitely WAS. Remember, she followed her son, and she told people to listen to Him, did they not know who HE was? She told them to do whatever Jesus told them to do. She was astounded that they would even "question" His abilities.

There is no doubt in my own mind that she may have been born a jew, but she died a christian.

 

[smooze]

Romans 12:9-10
Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves

 

[Cliff2]

Hi everybody! I asked this question on a different forum and I was surprised at some of the answers I got. I wanted to see what you all thought......

The dictionary definition of a Christian is: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ".

While reading the Bible you know the dictionary definition is a little vague, but summarizes it in a nice, quick manner.

I know Mary was of a Jewish bloodline, but anyone can become a Christian, right?

I'm Irish, but I became a Christian.

Mary definitely believed that Christ was the Messiah (how could she NOT?), so do you think she was one of the first (if not the first) Christian?

I look forward to any comments! Thanks!

~Lainie

Which "Mary" are you talking about?

 

[Starr SDA Living Word]

God Bless and Happy Sabbath.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Which "Mary" are you talking about?

It could be either one actually, but I was mostly referring to the mother of Jesus.

Both women were of jewish decent...and both became Christians and followed Christ.

And as Christians both Marys.....Luke 23:56 - And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

When I mentioned earlier that I had gotten some "interesting" responses to this question in another forum, here is what I mean:

I asked some Catholic friends of mine if Mary was a Christian. I got met with some hostility honestly and comments like "Well OF COURSE she was, she was THE FIRST Christian!" etc. Yet when I pointed out she kept the Sabbath comamndment as a Christian, they always said "well, that's because she was a Jew."

Mary was a Christian just like you and me, and it doesn't matter what bloodline she came from!

 

[honorthesabbath]

Well, technically Adam and Eve were "Christians", because they heard the prophecy of the coming Messiah and BELIEVED it!! Job too was a Christian--listen to his sentiment...

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

(PS, by the way--even Job knew that man did not "go to heaven" when he died)

The point being, either OT or NT ppl who believed and obeyed the scriptures were "Christians" because Jesus said that the scriptures were "they that testify of ME"!!! Joh 5:39

Blessings, Linda

 

[SassySDA]

Well, technically Adam and Eve were "Christians", because they heard the prophecy of the coming Messiah and BELIEVED it!! Job too was a Christian--listen to his sentiment...

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

(PS, by the way--even Job knew that man did not "go to heaven" when he died)

The point being, either OT or NT ppl who believed and obeyed the scriptures were "Christians" because Jesus said that the scriptures were "they that testify of ME"!!! Joh 5:39

Blessings, Linda

AMEN

 

[smooze]

titles titles this is why there is so much controversy. The word Christianity did come from Christ's teaching. I would like the word to be People with GOD. The jews were exodus out of Egypt and most people were jews before Christ. It was Jesus's ultimate mercy to allowed the whole world to accept HIS salvation and be saved. What a gracious GOD we serve. BTW he gave HIs people many chances even taking the form of man. But still he paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. YAH i believe Jesus could have easily escaped from the roman guards. This was his last and greatest metaphor. He showed us what it is going to mean to suffer to follow HIM. AMEN what a great teacher!

 

[TrustAndObey]

Brother Johnathan, titles are out there whether we like it or not and unfortunately people "use" them to say they do not have to obey the Word of God.

The biggest argument I hear against keeping the Sabbath is "that particular commandment was given only to the Jews!" You and I know that's not true, but what I'm trying to accomplish (with God's help of course) is to break down that wall that has been put up.

Absolutely Mary and most of the disciples were born of a Jewish bloodline, but does that exclude them (or anybody of ANY bloodline) from becoming a Christian? NO!

I'm trying to show my nonbelieving brothers and sisters that no matter what bloodline the disciples or the mother of Christ came from, they followed Christ and that makes them CHRISTIAN, not Jewish!

Honor made some very good points about those that believed the prophesy of the coming Messiah. I never thought of the things she said in her last post, but they make perfect sense! (The question is though, I have to wonder, would they have recognized Jesus when He did come?...that's a whole other thread though )

One definite way to find some common ground with our catholic brothers and sisters is discussing Mary. They will jump at the chance to tell you they think she was the very first Christian....just point out to them that as a Christian, Mary kept the Sabbath commandment.

Luke 23:56 - And they (Mary and Mary) returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Obviously the commandment was not nailed to the cross and Christians did follow it after the death of Christ on the cross! (Because you and I both know that's another argument..."Sabbath was nailed to the cross").

I am not trying to slap labels or titles on anybody......I'm actually trying to remove the titles, even if you don't understand my way of doing it. I'm trying to find a way to bridge a horrible gap without ever compromising the Word of God!

The Bible defends itself, sometimes you just have to point out the obvious.

Your sister in Christ,
~Lainie

 

[SassySDA]

Excellent post...and I LURVE what you are up to...

 

[alethakays]

Why would christianity not have begun until AFTER his death? Don't you think that's what His ministry was all about? He was alive then.

thats why i said i didnt know.. but thanks 4 the imput. im still reading on and learning.

 

[NeverADullMoment]

In Esther we learn that people became Jews....so it doesn't even really matter what a person's bloodline is. Anyone born can become a Christian, or even become a Jew if they so desire. Anyone that accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior is a Christian, so honorthesabbath is right, even some people in the Old Testament were Christian because they believed the promise of the coming Messiah.