'True' Christians? (Jesus Christ, Kingdom, salvation, Buddhism, homosexuals)

[Jaymes]

Spawned from this thread.

What makes a Christian? Is it believing in Jesus and God? Is it following a certain set of rules? Is it believing a certain way? Does anyone really have a right to tell someone, "No, you are not a true Christian"?

That, and why is it acceptable to go, "Oh, you're not really a Christian" when someone doesn't believe the way someone else does? That seems like the highest form of immaturity to me.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Jensa

Does anyone really have a right to tell someone, "No, you are not a true Christian"?

I believe that we all should be able to present our opinions to another person if we do so with charity and kindness...... even if the subject is difficult.

That being said, I personally would hesistate to tell anyone that they are not Christian... I don't think it's my place.

Peace,
Scott

[Engyo]

Hmmmm. In Buddhism there is a generally agreed-upon standard; a series of teachings without which, something is not considered Buddhism. That said, there are groups/individuals who do not subscribe to that standard.....

[The Voice of Reason]

Jensa -

I want to paraphrase what you have asked - please feel free to correct me.
I think the question can also be stated as:
Why is someone a Christian on Monday, by espousing his belief in Jesus Christ, but on Tuesday when he does something that other Christians have a hard time accepting (much less defending) - he "isn't really a Christian"?

For example, while Jerry Falwell is televangelizing on TV, he is "doing God's work" and "bringing lost souls to the Lord", but when he makes ludicrous, indefensible statements about how the homosexuals and Godless lifestyles caused the 9/11 terror acts - all of a sudden he is "...not really a Christian".

Feel free to substitute Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggart, etc. for Falwell (they are all one and the same). Feel free to pick whatever transgression you would like (from adultery, lying, extortion, imbezzlement, etc.). Of course, we will get the automatic reply that all men will fall short of God... Okay, I'll take that. Let me then ask, why in the world would you listen to these individuals a second time? Much less, send them money? Are you that desperate to be led?

A closing thought - perhaps no man alive can truly know God better than you yourself can - and maybe you could look for God without the leadership of others. Perhaps, they are no closer to knowing what God wants (or what God says) than the rest of us. Then again, it IS easier to just go sit in a pew and listen to someone tell you who to hate, or who to vote for - after all - if he is in the pulpit, he MUST know what God wants us to do - right?

TVOR

[Ronald]

WHY? OH! WHY, is there 2500-3000-3500 CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS?
I'm right and you are wrong, I'm going to start a new denomination.
Each one is right in his own eyes. To hell with what the foundation of the faith says, I'll do it my way!

No matter how you slice it, being saved and entering the New Jerusalem are TWO/2 (count them) different things. You can have the first and not get the latter!

With a log in my eye, let me help you get the speck out of your eye.
Remember, only I am perfect. You know this makes me a TRUE Christian!!!! LOL

AT RESURRECTION, not a moment before.

Ever think that a TRUE Christian (might be) one who is truely decieved.

To enter the Kingdom, one has to be grafted into one of the 12 tribes of Israel, do the will of God, be clean, be a kingdom servant, have an invitation and be Elected.
Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter!
Judge not, lest you be judged.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Ronald

To enter the Kingdom, one has to be grafted into one of the 12 tribes of Israel, do the will of God, be clean, be a kingdom servant, have an invitation and be Elected.
Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter!
Judge not, lest you be judged.

I'm confused. Is this pretty much the antithesis of Scott's post?

[true blood]

I can't find the word Christians in my Bible. Therefore I believe its a label made up by "religious" people. In order to be saved [excemption from God's judgement] one must confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness [Abraham's believing] and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Believing like this would make a man or woman saved for the day of Judgement. And God is the only one who can read the heart of any man or woman.

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift[spirit, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, manifesting powers] from the Holy Spirit [God].

With this receiving of the gift [spirit] is the key to being in the New Jerusalem

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by true blood

I can't find the word Christians in my Bible. Therefore I believe its a label made up by "religious" people.

Acts 11:26 First called Christians,

Your description of Salvation is very good. But there is more after salvation.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

I'm confused. Is this pretty much the antithesis of Scott's post?

Catholic is Christian, I am not! My leaders are all Hebrew. The WAY is what Paul so vigorously persecuted until his Damascus road experience!
The only difference between a Jew and the Way is we have discovered the Way, the truth and the life in Messiah. Almost like Paul did.
The Way has never been corrupted by the Greek Gnosticis, another gospel.

Yep! You are right ANTITHESIS!