What is a Christian?

[SithDoughnut]

This OP comes in three flavours:

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does? Don't forget that many of these Christians may not have heard of the same things you have due to lack of knowledge about the Bible.

 

[norswede]

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

A Christian is someone who accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior and believes in and does their best to follow his teachings, relying on him for forgiveness if they make a mistake.

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

If they fit into the above category, they are Christians. Only they themselves know if they have a true relationship with God, yet some denominations are questionable based on docterines that they either add to or take away from the Bible, but God knows what's in our hearts and will divide us accordingly when he returns.
John 3:16 says it best:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does? Don't forget that many of these Christians may not have heard of the same things you have due to lack of knowledge about the Bible.

Once again if they fit the definition I wrote above, they are Christians, yet it is kind of hard to do our best to follow teachings we have never read or heard of and if someone doesn't wish to learn these things, they probably don't have a true relationship with God. When someone is "Born Again" the Holy Spirit fills them and it's a feeling only a true Christian can describe. The Holy Spirit leads us to learn more about God everyday and to follow him. If someone hasn't experienced that, they probably haven't accepted Jesus with all their hearts. But once again only that person and God know for sure if they have that connection.

 

[drich0150]

Christianity is a term or label that we bestow upon ourselves, "True christianity' is not something we can award each other or earn for ourselves. A true Christian is simply a term used to describe someone who has established and maintain a Relationship with The Father through the sacrifice of the Son, and is indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

Our "works" have little to do with our relationship with God.

One can not accurately or righteously judge a relationship between others. At best all one can do is compare what He has done, or what He deems acceptable, to what others have done or deem acceptable. This may or may not have any bearing on what others are capable of, or what they may be limited by. To God our capabilities/limitations will be the boundaries in which we are judged. Because they will be different from person to person, there can't be any absolute standard.

Paul speaks of this in Romans 14 (The whole chapter)

 

[ebia]

This OP comes in three flavours:

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

I don't think it's our job to try to draw those kinds of lines in the sand.

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

Obviously if I didn't think my denomination and/or local congregation didn't have something to commend it I would change to another. But I don't think we've got everything right and everyone else is wrong where they differ.

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does?

Christianity is not, fundamentally, about understanding but about trusting and belonging. Understanding is good and should be worked upon, but salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by intellectually understanding and believing certain doctrines. When one puts knowledge above faith one has gone from Christianity to a form of gnostism.

 

[Bro_Sam]

This OP comes in three flavours:

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

To be born again, growing in Christ, and growing in holiness.

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

Christianity isn't limited to a denomination.

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible.

And that presents a big red flag because one of the defining characteristics of a Christian is a deep and abiding love for God's word.

How do you expect to grow in Christ if you won't read His word? What's more, what does that say about your relationship with Christ if you won't read His word?

Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you.

Sadly, yes. I just heard a stat yesterday that said that only something like 10% of the people in our denomination are actually active in their local church or even attend on a regular basis.

Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does?

Every one is discipled and understands at a different rate. For instance, I don't think it would be fair for a church to hold a new convert to the same standard they hold me to, having been a Christian for more than twenty years (on the other hand, I've seen some new converts grow in Christ at a remarkable pace).

But if someone doesn't have at least an elementary understanding of God and of the Gospel, how can they be a Christian in the first place? In order to respond to the Gospel, you have to know what it is you're responding to.

 

[aiki]

New Testament writers took great pains to clarify who was and wasn't a Christian. The apostle John, in particular was very black and white about this matter. The idea that we shouldn't lay down boundaries around the definition of what is and isn't "Christian" isn't biblical at all. Here's some of what we read in Scripture of the definition of a Christian:

1 John 1:5-7 (NKJV)
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

1 John 2:9-11 (NKJV)
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:19 (NKJV)
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

1 John 2:29 (NKJV)
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

And so it goes. James writes:

James 2:14-18 (NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 4:4 (NKJV)
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Peter also contributes to this matter:

2 Peter 2:12-19 (NKJV)
12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,
13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

And Christ himself speaks of the marks of a true follower of his:

John 12:36 (NKJV)
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

Mark 8:34-35 (KJV)
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

John 3:3-7 (NKJV)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

I could also quote the apostle Paul on this matter but I think by now you can see what I'm saying. The Bible gives ample basis upon which to assess whether one is a Christian or not.

If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

Being a follower of Christ is not a denominational issue.

There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does?

Same kind? I'm not sure what you mean...One can be an immature Christian, a "baby" Christian, who has difficulty discerning right from wrong, whose faith is weak, and whose conduct is still largely dominated by carnal impulses. This kind of Christian is different, I suppose, than a mature Christian, but is still, nonetheless, a Christian.

I doubt very much that one is actually saved if one does not know Christ.

Romans 10:12-14 (NKJV)
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Peace.

 

[talitha]

This OP comes in three flavours:

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?
A Christian is anyone with an ongoing, vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This involves wrestling with, accepting, and finally believing and obeying His words and His direction. I think there are certain things one must believe, for the same reason that you are not my friend if you hold to a notion that I am different than I really am, or if you don't believe what I say. I think the starting point is stated in Hebrews: And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. But if a person decides to stay at that starting point, there is no ongoing, vital relationship.....

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?
I think that churches and denominations must hold certain things to be true, as I said before, above all the things pertaining to the nature of God and of Jesus Christ. For example, God is good and He is omnipotent, and the only way to live eternally with Him is through Jesus. If these things are not held to be true, then the church is a false church. I also feel that it is important for churches (groups of believers) to be in a state of growth and movement, just as that is important for individual believers.

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does? Don't forget that many of these Christians may not have heard of the same things you have due to lack of knowledge about the Bible.
I think a Christian can be informed or ill-informed about the Bible, and I believe that illiterate people can be true Christians. I believe it's possible for true Christians to be deceived, and that it's more likely when they do not know the Bible. But I also believe in the power of God to bring truth to those who seek it, along with the wisdom to recognize it. In Scripture Bereans were called "noble-minded" because they received the word (the Gospel, which at that time was new and strange revelation) with "great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so," (Acts 17:11) whereas the Thessalonians initially rejected what the Apostles said without examining it, because it was new.

 

[childofGod31]

A Christian SHOULD BE the one who follows Christ, regardless of the doctrines. As long as they walk like Jesus walked: with love and compassion and self sacrifice, they are a Christian.

I think it's even possible to be a Christian without knowing about Christ - if you walk like He walked, you are a Christian by the spirit of your life.

By the same token, there are many who call themselves Christians, but don't follow Christ. Instead, they follow their own will and their own desires.

Christians say: we follow Christ. But what does it mean to follow? It means to live according to Christ's teachings. Not many Christians live according to Christ's teachings.

 

[Sketcher]

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

Born again according to John chapter 3.

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

Most other denominations will have the minimum. Of course, every denomination tries to get it right and has its reasons for doing things their way. Likewise with my church. But we don't say that "those Presbyterians aren't saved" or anything like that.

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does? Don't forget that many of these Christians may not have heard of the same things you have due to lack of knowledge about the Bible.

Well sure, because everybody's been new and we're always learning. It's when people don't want to learn what's in the Bible, or worse, go against it that brings problems. Christians in those persecuted lands where they're not allowed to have Bibles will be teachable to the truths that are in the Bible. So will new Christians.

 

[ProScribe]

What is a Christian?

Someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Rightly believing in the doctrines and teachings of the holy Orthodox Church. Properly confirmed and chrismated with a certificate seal of approval.

Orthodox Christians aren't heretics.

. . .

 

[Ben007]

This OP comes in three flavours:

1) What are the minimum definitions/requirements for someone to be classed as 'Christian'?

2) If you are part of a particular denomination (or none at all), would you say your denomination is more 'Christian' or 'true' than the others? If so, can the other denominations be considered to be real Christians at all?

3) There are many Christians in the world who consider themselves Christian yet have never or barely read the Bible. Many of these Christians class themselves in the same denominations as you. Would you consider a Christian who does not fully understand what it is they are worshipping as the same kind of Christian as one who does? Don't forget that many of these Christians may not have heard of the same things you have due to lack of knowledge about the Bible.

--------------------

A Christian is the one who believes that Jesus was Christ. It comes from Acts 11:26. That's in Antioch where Paul spent a whole year preaching about Jesus as Christ. It was from then and there that his disciples started being called Christians.
Ben