What Is A Christian?

[Ran77]

There's nothing that one MUST believe to be a Christian. There are, however, things Christians will believe. Regeneration is solely an act of the will of God (see John 3). After that, one will believe. So whether or not one is a Christian isn't what God Will accept. It's what He does.

I'm pretty sure that in one of the discussions I had with you, you expressed a different opinion. Unless this is an attempt at word play where "will believe" and "must believe" are somehow suggested to be different things.

Is this a personal belief of yours or does the denomination you follow have an official definition of Christian that explains this?


In either case, I read your statement as:

1. A person does not have to believe anything specific in order to be a Christian.

 

[drstevej]

This thread OP is not in compliance with this part of the Forum guidelines.

All thread topics must contain an identifiable argument against or for the Christian faith.

http://www.christianforums.com/threads/must-read-christian-apologetics-statement-of-purpose.7918236/

 

[Hammster]

I'm pretty sure that in one of the discussions I had with you, you expressed a different opinion. Unless this is an attempt at word play where "will believe" and "must believe" are somehow suggested to be different things.

Is this a personal belief of yours or does the denomination you follow have an official definition of Christian that explains this?


In either case, I read your statement as:

1. A person does not have to believe anything specific in order to be a Christian.

A person does not have to believe anything to be regenerated. A person must put their faith in Christ to be justified.

 

[Ran77]

Jesus said:

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” -- John 3:36

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." -- John 14:16

These do not make any statement as to who is or is not a Christian. They address the way to eternal life.

What are we to believe? We are to believe all the Jesus taught about Himself (which includes the fact that he did not stop anyone from worshipping Him, which He would have known was reserved only for God):

"Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." -- John 8:53

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” -- John 10:27

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. -- Matthew 9:4-8

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

Again, these do not make any statement as to who is or is not a Christian. The closest that any of this comes to a definition of a Christian is that His sheep hear His voice. A very vague and impossible to prove status.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:10, "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve."

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. -- John 9:35-38

And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. -- Matthew 28:9

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, he will declare all things to us." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." -- John 4:23-26

These also do not make any statement about who is and who is not a Christian.

 

[Ran77]

This thread OP is not in compliance with this part of the Forum guidelines.

All thread topics must contain an identifiable argument against or for the Christian faith.

http://www.christianforums.com/threads/must-read-christian-apologetics-statement-of-purpose.7918236/

I have identified an argument against the Christian faith. The argument is that the definition they use to identify Christians is not Biblical. I'm not appreciating this harassment.

 

[Ran77]

A person does not have to believe anything to be regenerated. A person must put their faith in Christ to be justified.

Is that any different from what I posted as your belief? If so, please explain how it differs.

 

[Sojourner1]

A Christian is someone who does the following:

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -- Romans 10:1-13


And don't forget what it is that they are to believe about Christ, that is the essential part. Who do you say that Jesus is?

 

[drstevej]

I have identified an argument against the Christian faith. The argument is that the definition they use to identify Christians is not Biblical. I'm not appreciating this harassment.

Who is "they" ???

 

[Ran77]

A person does not have to believe anything to be regenerated. A person must put their faith in Christ to be justified.

My bad. I missed the obvious.

1. A person must put their faith in Christ to be a Christian.

Is that correct?

 

[Hammster]

Is that any different from what I posted as your belief? If so, please explain how it differs.

You made a vague reference to some previous discussion which I do not recall. Then you said what you thought I was saying, which was incorrect. So I added some clarification. If further clarification is necessary, I will be happy to provide it.

 

[Hammster]

My bad. I missed the obvious.

1. A person must put their faith in Christ to be a Christian.

Is that correct?

A person must trust Christ to be justified.

 

[Ran77]

A Christian is someone who does the following:

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -- Romans 10:1-13

These verses do not define who is and who is not a Christian.

And don't forget what it is that they are to believe about Christ, that is the essential part. Who do you say that Jesus is?

Off topic. This is the Christian Apologetics forum.

 

[Ran77]

You made a vague reference to some previous discussion which I do not recall. Then you said what you thought I was saying, which was incorrect. So I added some clarification. If further clarification is necessary, I will be happy to provide it.

When I state: "Is that any different from what I posted as your belief? If so, please explain how it differs." I am asking for further clarification.

 

[Ran77]

A person must trust Christ to be justified.

The OP doesn't ask for what a person must do to be justified. I have asked for Biblical support of what defines a Christian.

 

[Sojourner1]

These verses do not define who is and who is not a Christian.

You have been given several definitions of what a Christian is in this thread. What are you looking for?

Off topic. This is the Christian Apologetics forum.

Did you read the updated SoP? Christians can now start threads to present an argument in support of Christianity. This was changed because we opened the threads up to multiple non-Christians. We are no longer just allowing one non-Christian per thread, and both Christians and non-Christians can start threads.

Anyways, my comment was a generic "you", not directed at just you. It's what Jesus asked his disciples and is a crucial question (the key) when it comes to believing in Christ.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 16:13-17

 

[drstevej]

The OP doesn't ask for what a person must do to be justified. I have asked for Biblical support of what defines a Christian.

How does that fit the rule:
All thread topics must contain an identifiable argument against or for the Christian faith.

 

[Hammster]

The OP doesn't ask for what a person must do to be justified. I have asked for Biblical support of what defines a Christian.

Those who are justified are Christians. I'm trying to use biblical language so that there is no ambiguity. This isn't like someone answering the right questions and becoming part of the club.

 

[Ran77]

You have been given several definitions of what a Christian is in this thread. What are you looking for?

Exactly what I asked for in the OP. First the definition Christians use to determine who is and who is not a Christian. Second, Biblical proof of that definition. So far, I am only getting a few definitions. The Biblical support for those definitions/beliefs have yet to be provided.

Did you read the updated SoP? Christians can now start threads to present an argument in support of Christianity. This was changed because we opened the threads up to multiple non-Christians. We are no longer just allowing one non-Christian per thread, and both Christians and non-Christians can start threads.

Cool. Please start a thread and present your argument in support of Christianity.

Anyways, my comment was a generic "you", not directed at just you. It's what Jesus asked his disciples and is a crucial question (the key) when it comes to believing in Christ.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 16:13-17

Again, this does not define who is and who is not a Christian.

 

[Ran77]

Those who are justified are Christians. I'm trying to use biblical language so that there is no ambiguity. This isn't like someone answering the right questions and becoming part of the club.

Where does the Bible state that those who are justified are Christians?

 

[drstevej]

Exactly what I asked for in the OP. First the definition Christians use to determine who is and who is not a Christian. Second, Biblical proof of that definition.

The rules require a statement either FOR or AGAINST Christianity. You have not provided this is not an opinion survey thread.

So what is your specific argument against Christianity?