What is the true Christian?

[CrystalDragon]

So Peter, Stephen, Paul and the other apostles, who heard Jesus' voice for only a few years, couldn't possibly know what you know after 37 years? I have heard his voice for over 40 years, and I know that you are absolutely wrong.

How do you know that you've heard Jesus's voice specifically? Could you ask him some of the big questions we'd all like to know?

 

[pescador]

How do you know that you've heard Jesus's voice specifically? Could you ask him some of the big questions we'd all like to know?

Because I know Jesus' voice as a sheep knows the voice of his shepherd. And no, I won't ask him "some of the big questions". Ask him yourself.

 

[JackRT]

I no longer remember who said it but it says something like "The true Christian is one who always strives to do the right thing in the face of all opposition --- usually from other true Christians."

A lot of truth in that.

 

[AvgJoe]

So, who exactly are you?

If you visit his link, that he shared earlier, look at his message, the comments at the bottom of that page and any of his youtube videos, I think you'll see that he's a false prophet.

 

[pescador]

If you visit his link, that he shared earlier, look at his message, the comments at the bottom of that page and any of his youtube videos, I think you'll see that he's a false prophet.

All I have to do to know that is read his posts!

 

[CrystalDragon]

Because I know Jesus' voice as a sheep knows the voice of his shepherd. And no, I won't ask him "some of the big questions". Ask him yourself.

Some people seem to ask Jesus things and disagree with others who claim they hear Jesus, and sometimes we can't be sure if it's Jesus we're hearing or our own minds.

I have never heard Jesus as you have apparently for over 40 years, so it should be easy, right?

 

[AvgJoe]

All I have to do to know that is read his posts!

Well, that's true too. He's pretty far out there...somewhere.

 

[pescador]

Some people seem to ask Jesus things and disagree with others who claim they hear Jesus, and sometimes we can't be sure if it's Jesus we're hearing or our own minds.

I have never heard Jesus as you have apparently for over 40 years, so it should be easy, right?

There are two things wrong here...
1) I didn't say that I asked Jesus things, I said that I heard his voice. The sheep of his flock don't ask the shepherd anything.
2) I didn't say anything about it being easy or hard.

 

[Phil 1:21]

I think I know where you’re coming from. I say the following only for context, not to insult any particular faith. I was raised strictly Catholic—baptism, confession, communion, confirmation, 12 years of parochial school. From a very early age the faith as it was taught didn’t make a lot of sense to me. The overall theme was good, but the details clouded it up. On account of that I drifted away from the Church.


It wasn’t until I started reading the Bible start to finish that I understood the cause of my years of confusion. The Word of God and the world of the church were often at odds, not that we were ever taught as much. Being gun shy of organized religion I still stayed away from church, deciding I could simply read and understand the bible on my own.


One day I was listening to Christian talk radio when I happened upon a sermon by Pastor Alistair Begg. It was on some passages from Nehemiah (which I’d just finished reading). In all my years I’d never heard preaching from the Bible like that. He imparted wisdom from the Good Book I wasn’t able to glean on my own. After his sermon I sat there and thought, “Wow! I never looked at Nehemiah that way before.” I wanted more.


Long story short, I started listening to more of Pastor Begg’s sermons and eventually sought out a local nondenominational church that taught the same way—Bible based instead of man-based. Perhaps I just got lucky, but my church is the exact opposite of the one in which I was raised. Our pastor takes what you read and learn in the bible and tweaks into a little better focus to that you walk out of the service having learned something important.


I now look at Sunday service as something I get to do, not something I have to do. Praise the Lord for that. My best suggestion is to fins a church that you think may work well for you (most have a web site with a lot of info about their beliefs and teaching style). Show up, sit in the back and give it a chance. worst case scenario, it's about an hour or so of your time. Best case, it makes all the difference in your life.

I think the gamble is worth it.

 

[nChrist]

A true Christian loves God and knows that he or she is a purchased possession of Jesus Christ. In other words, I belong to Jesus Christ - bought and paid for. Jesus Christ perfectly finished the work of Salvation on the Cross and is our Living Lord and Saviour forever. He died for us to pay for our sins, but He arose from the dead on the third day. The Lord Jesus Christ is God, one with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. All real Christians belong to the one True Church - a Church not made with human hands - the Church which is the Body of Christ - with Jesus Christ Himself being the Head.

Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:8-10 KJV But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[Serving Zion]

I am not here to be a troll. I do not want to argue with anybody. I just want to learn.

I know what Christians believe. I know the Believers Creed.

But I'm want to know what really is a true Christian? I mean, I keep hearing from other Christians that if you don't do such and such you are not a true Christian. For example, there was a thing on Facebook where Paul Washer is saying if you do not attend fellowship with other believers then you are not being a true Christian.

Now, I am a big believer in Daily repentance, although this is an area that I struggle with myself. And of course, I still question my salvation. But I am working towards it. Without repentance, from what I got from the Bible, you cannot see the kingdom of God. Now, is this right?

This is why I really want to repent. I do know that I should go to church. I just don't enjoy people, mainly because I am afraid of being hurt; not because I hate them. I do not hate people.

But can someone practice daily repentance and daily submission to Jesus without going to church? I mean, this is the lifestyle that I want to live. I know I need to read the gospels and do what the gospel says to do.

No, I am not talking about me not going to church. But the reason why I'm bringing this up is because I know some Christians who do not attend Fellowship and yet they have all the fruits of being a Christian.

But then again, fruits can also be deceiving. I remember picking apples from my apple tree and sometimes the fruit with looks so good round and juicy only for it to be rotten inside. So fruits can still be deceiving.

Now, I am not judging anyone for I have a lack of fruit myself. I do believe that my neighbor is a Christian, even though she doesn't go to church.

I think I got sidetracked here. The question is what makes a true Christian? Does going to church? Being nice to the poor and helping them? Is not going to the bar? I don't quite understand.

Or do certain things just come natural for Christians? For example, is it natural for Christians to go to church, and that is why other Christians question whether a person who claims to be a Christian, and yet does not go to church, whether they are a Christian or not?

I don't live by the spirit like I should. So, these questions are not meant to criticize. These are actual questions that I want to know. And I can definitely understand why somebody would question my salvation.

So basically all I'm asking, If something doesn't come natural to someone who claims to be a Christian like he doesn't go to church or he prefers to hang out at the bar, then it is questionable whether he is a Christian or not?

I am terrible with words so I apologize if my question makes no sense to you.

We need to actually know Him: John 17:3, Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 5:20, 1 John 1:6-7.

Many will teach an altered version of the gospel, a watered-down one that is palatable to those who hate to live for God's pleasure, because it is more important for them to deceive a person to agree with them, than to faithfully represent the truth. These ones will teach that you don't need to know God personally, and quite a number of Christians have even spoken such words. These are those who are perishing because they delighted in unrighteousness and did not love the truth (Matthew 7:13, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Peter 2:1 - "even denying The Lord that bought them", 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

.. So, getting to know how to discern God's voice is really important. This might be helpful: Adonai Reigns : The Gospel : The Holy Spirit

 

[IAMABELIEVER1979]

We need to actually know Him: John 17:3, Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 5:20, 1 John 1:6-7.

Many will teach an altered version of the gospel, a watered-down one that is palatable to those who hate to live for God's pleasure, because it is more important for them to deceive a person to agree with them, than to faithfully represent the truth. These ones will teach that you don't need to know God personally, and quite a number of Christians have even spoken such words. These are those who are perishing because they delighted in unrighteousness and did not love the truth (Matthew 7:13, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Peter 2:1 - "even denying The Lord that bought them", 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

.. So, getting to know how to discern God's voice is really important. This might be helpful: Adonai Reigns : The Gospel : The Holy Spirit

Thank you

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Some people seem to ask Jesus things and disagree with others who claim they hear Jesus, and sometimes we can't be sure if it's Jesus we're hearing or our own minds.

I have never heard Jesus as you have apparently for over 40 years, so it should be easy, right?

No.
Not easy.
Most people don't take the very first step Y'SHUA (JESUS) said is necessary to be HIS disciple.
Or, they trust something or someone instead of YHWH. (That's most common one).
Then,
like many of the disciples in the NEW TESTAMENT who followed Y'SHUA for a while, when it costs too much, they left HIM. And HE did not go after them.

 

[381465]

Might be tough to discern here.

One thread tells me I can't be a Christian and I'm a devil because I believe in the second ammendment, self defense, own a firearm, served law enforcement, served in military and voted.

Another thread has christians calling for wealthy people to be robbed and killed.

Quite a desparity.

If I have to be one or the other or none...I'll choose none. I guess I'm not a Christian after all.

I wonder what I am?

 

[pescador]

Might be tough to discern here.

One thread tells me I can't be a Christian and I'm a devil because I believe in the second ammendment, self defense, own a firearm, served law enforcement, served in military and voted.

Another thread has christians calling for wealthy people to be robbed and killed.

Quite a desparity.

If I have to be one or the other or none...I'll choose none. I guess I'm not a Christian after all.

I wonder what I am?

Neither of the threads that you mention have anything in common with Jesus Christ or the Bible. They are based on intolerance and hatred, the exact opposite of loving God with all your heart, soul and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus, when attacked, refused to answer his accusers.

 

[nChrist]

Romans 10:8-10 KJV But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If I have to be one or the other or none...I'll choose none. I guess I'm not a Christian after all.

I wonder what I am?

What difference do you think it makes ?
To be A Christian, a true slave of Jesus, a martyr, unselfish, obedient to God,
or a christian, (in name only "serving God with lips, but no heart)
or none?

 

[381465]

Not sure how much difference it should make.
Lots of people proclaim to be Christians and are quick to tell others they're not.
Who's right? Any? None?
The vast differences here can't all be like Jesus.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Not sure how much difference it should make.
Lots of people proclaim to be Christians and are quick to tell others they're not.
Who's right? Any? None?
The vast differences here can't all be like Jesus.

And according to internet rules on every "Christian" forum, that I know of,
no one is permitted to
tell the truth about the differences. (i.e. everyone must make sure of their own salvation, without help from others, effectively; and most people do not care to)

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The sheep of his flock don't ask the shepherd anything.

All through the NEW TESTAMENT,
and ever since then,
the sheep have been persecuted all around the world,
and
the sheep spend a lot of time talking with the Father and the Shepherd, every day.

and in the Presence of YHWH, at His Throne, asking for all that is needed in this time of great difficulty and trouble. Constantly in prayer always with praise and thanksgiving, always as needed asking for anything and everything needed,
as JESUS told the disciples always, and trained us.