Christian: What is a Christian?

Baerly · Sep 28, 2006

What Being A Christian Means

December 20, 2004 by Mike Riley - Mike Riley's Blog /thepreachersfiles.com
The disciples in Acts 11:26, were first called "Christians" at Antioch somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, (1) brethren (Acts 15:1,23; 1 Corinthians 7:12); (2) disciples (Acts 9:26; Acts 11:29); (3) believers (Acts 5:14); (4) saints (Romans 8:27; Romans 15:25).
Let us ask ourselves this question: "What does being a Christian mean?" Being a Christian means that:
We Are Saved From Sin - God forgives our sins when we obey the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached. Jesus gave them the command to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). They did as Jesus commanded, beginning in Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Thousands of lost people obeyed their doctrinal message (Acts 2:17-47), were saved and added to the Lord's church by the Lord (Acts 2:47).
We Have A New Relationship With God - A Christian is referred to as God's child. Paul said, "we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). Paul in his letter to the Galation brethren states, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27). God also calls Christians "sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18). Being children of God means we have "fellowship" with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9). That relationship causes God to love and care for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).
We Have A New Life - Paul states, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). By baptism, we are raised to walk in newness of life, being "born again" (John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-6). The Christian has "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). The Christian no longer lives a life of sin. He has become "dead" to sin and "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11). This is what makes the Christian live so wonderful and great. The Christian is "made free from sin" (Romans 6:17-18). He now has heaven as his daily hope (Colossians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3-4)
We Are To Be Filled With Joy, Happiness and Peace - Christians are happy because "the spirit of glory and of God rests upon us" (1 Peter 4:14). Jesus said we can be glad with "exceeding joy" because we know that one day He will come again and usher us into the Father's heavenly home (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 1:3-4).
Conclusion
The last question we must ask is: Are you a Christian? Do you have the joy and hope found only in Jesus Christ? If you are "in Christ Jesus," you are not under the condemnation of God (Romans 8:1). Remember, "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Become a Christian today (2 Corinthians 6:2) and enjoy the blessings of God, "who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3).

in love Baerly

sojourner · Sep 28, 2006

Being a Christian means that we are followers of Jesus.
All humanity is saved from sin.
All humanity has a new relationship with God, and therefore, a new life.
None of us, through the Christ-event, abides under the condemnation of God.
Christians are those people who recognize the efficacy of the Christ-event in the human drama, along with the attendent benefits you list above.

angellous_evangellous · Sep 28, 2006

sojourner said:
Being a Christian means that we are followers of Jesus.
All humanity is saved from sin.

All humanity has a new relationship with God, and therefore, a new life.
None of us, through the Christ-event, abides under the condemnation of God.
Christians are those people who recognize the efficacy of the Christ-event in the human drama, along with the attendent benefits you list above.

I wish that our lives could provide convincing evidence of this.

michel · Sep 28, 2006

To me, being a Christian is believing in God, believing that Jesus Christ was incarnate, and promissed to forgive us our sins (as long as we repent them). That we should try as hard as we can to live the way we believe Christ would want us to. Most of that means 'loving' others as I love God.

I am happy repeating the Apostles creed (there is nothing there with which I don't feel "I am not sure about this", but I believe that in other Christians eyes, I probably don't fit the mold - because of those additional beliefs I have.

But hey, I am 'happy'............

Baerly · Oct 30, 2006

Baerly said:
What Being A Christian Means

December 20, 2004 by Mike Riley - Mike Riley's Blog /thepreachersfiles.com
The disciples in Acts 11:26, were first called "Christians" at Antioch somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, (1) brethren (Acts 15:1,23; 1 Corinthians 7:12); (2) disciples (Acts 9:26; Acts 11:29); (3) believers (Acts 5:14); (4) saints (Romans 8:27; Romans 15:25).
Let us ask ourselves this question: "What does being a Christian mean?" Being a Christian means that:
We Are Saved From Sin - God forgives our sins when we obey the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached. Jesus gave them the command to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). They did as Jesus commanded, beginning in Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Thousands of lost people obeyed their doctrinal message (Acts 2:17-47), were saved and added to the Lord's church by the Lord (Acts 2:47).
We Have A New Relationship With God - A Christian is referred to as God's child. Paul said, "we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). Paul in his letter to the Galation brethren states, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27). God also calls Christians "sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18). Being children of God means we have "fellowship" with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9). That relationship causes God to love and care for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).
We Have A New Life - Paul states, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). By baptism, we are raised to walk in newness of life, being "born again" (John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-6). The Christian has "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). The Christian no longer lives a life of sin. He has become "dead" to sin and "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11). This is what makes the Christian live so wonderful and great. The Christian is "made free from sin" (Romans 6:17-18). He now has heaven as his daily hope (Colossians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3-4)
We Are To Be Filled With Joy, Happiness and Peace - Christians are happy because "the spirit of glory and of God rests upon us" (1 Peter 4:14). Jesus said we can be glad with "exceeding joy" because we know that one day He will come again and usher us into the Father's heavenly home (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 1:3-4).
Conclusion
The last question we must ask is: Are you a Christian? Do you have the joy and hope found only in Jesus Christ? If you are "in Christ Jesus," you are not under the condemnation of God (Romans 8:1). Remember, "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Become a Christian today (2 Corinthians 6:2) and enjoy the blessings of God, "who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3).

in love Baerly

I am posting on my own post,but anyway....

Below is a good lesson:
Who is a Christian according to the word of God (the bible).

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/who_is_a_christian

sojourner · Oct 31, 2006

Baerly said:
I am posting on my own post,but anyway....

Below is a good lesson:
Who is a Christian according to the word of God (the bible).

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/who_is_a_christian

The last paragraph of the post accompanying this quote is quite gracious in its thrust, yet the article here presents much more judgmentally. Interesting. I suppose that graciousness only abounds for those who believe as you believe? Judgment abounds for all those who disagree with you?

I find the article to engage in "gatekeeping" -- that is, it narrowly defines who may and may not be called "Christian," based upon a very narrow and picayune interpretation of scripture. It seeks to place provisos upon those who do not subscribe to the same type of theology as the writer of the article.

A Christian is anyone who follows Jesus to the best of his/her abilities. It's just that simple.

writer · Oct 31, 2006

things are good here.
I especially agree w/ post 44.

In regard to some other isolated statements, i must counter.
46 A Christian is anyone who follows Jesus to the best of his/her abilities. It's just that simple.
I must disagree if this statement's suggestin that anyone could live, or follow, Christ without Christ inside 'em.

42 All humanity is saved from sin.
To the contrary: only those who receive Him can live by Him

All humanity has a new relationship with God, and therefore, a new life.
To the contrary: as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name

None of us, through the Christ-event, abides under the condemnation of God.
To the contrary, to quote the Christ: "He who believes into Him's not condemned; but he who doesn't believe's been condemned already, because he hasn't believed into the name of the only begotten Son of God," Jn 3:18-19; cf Col 3:6.
Thanks

Christians are those people who recognize the efficacy of the Christ-event in the human drama, along with the attendent benefits you list above.
That sounds good,

Baerly · Nov 1, 2006

sojourner said:
Being a Christian means that we are followers of Jesus.
All humanity is saved from sin.
All humanity has a new relationship with God, and therefore, a new life.
None of us, through the Christ-event, abides under the condemnation of God.
Christians are those people who recognize the efficacy of the Christ-event in the human drama, along with the attendent benefits you list above.

My friend, What do you think about (Mt.7:13-23 ; 25:31-46). In these passages we learn that some will reject Jesus and his words (John 12:48). If it is those very words which will save us (Acts 11:14) (John 8:31,32). How can those who reject the word of God be saved also (Acts 13:46). It seems you and the words of Jesus oppose each other. That cannot be good.

Also if everyone will be saved, there will be no use for HELL. But yet Jesus spoke of this firey hell more than anyone. How do you explain this? Please use bible scriptures. Thanks , - in love Baerly

sojourner · Nov 1, 2006

46 A Christian is anyone who follows Jesus to the best of his/her abilities. It's just that simple.
I must disagree if this statement's suggestin that anyone could live, or follow, Christ without Christ inside 'em.

Following Christ implies that Christ is in one. God always makes the first move toward us -- our action is to respond to what God does.

42 All humanity is saved from sin.
To the contrary: only those who receive Him can live by Him

"In him was life, and the life was the light of all people."

All humanity has a new relationship with God, and therefore, a new life.
To the contrary: as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name

Christian spirituality is about community, not the individual. If grace has been made available to one, it has been made available to all.

None of us, through the Christ-event, abides under the condemnation of God.
To the contrary, to quote the Christ: "He who believes into Him's not condemned; but he who doesn't believe's been condemned already, because he hasn't believed into the name of the only begotten Son of God," Jn 3:18-19; cf Col 3:6.

"I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." (Jn 12:47)

Christ is in the world and, therefore, in us. Those who act in response to that are Christians.

sojourner · Nov 1, 2006

Baerly said:
My friend, What do you think about (Mt.7:13-23 ; 25:31-46). In these passages we learn that some will reject Jesus and his words (John 12:48). If it is those very words which will save us (Acts 11:14) (John 8:31,32). How can those who reject the word of God be saved also (Acts 13:46). It seems you and the words of Jesus oppose each other. That cannot be good.

Also if everyone will be saved, there will be no use for HELL. But yet Jesus spoke of this firey hell more than anyone. How do you explain this? Please use bible scriptures. Thanks , - in love Baerly

Look at your last paragraph -- first sentence. Why is the "usefulness" of hell the compelling argument for the nature of salvation, rather than the abiding love of God for us??? Thomas (which is much earlier than Matthew, luke, or John), a sayings gospel, has Jesus mention hell not one time. Mark (also earlier than Matthew, Luke, or John) only has Jesus mention hell in one passage. Since both Thomas and Mark are used by Bible scholars to "triangulate" what may and may not be authentic sayings of Jesus, I find this lack of use of the term "hell" to be compelling.

I hold hope for humanity as a community. I believe that, at last, every person will come to embrace the truth and accept the salvation that is theirs.

writer · Nov 1, 2006

49 Following Christ implies that Christ is in one. God always makes the first move toward us -- our action is to respond to what God does.
Amen. i c what you mean

In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
...this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who practices evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works be reproved...
...He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, yet the world didn't know Him. He came to His own, yet those who were His own didn't receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, who were begotten...of God

Christian spirituality is about community, not the individual. If grace has been made available to one, it has been made available to all.
Yes.
The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. Available to be received by anyone who wills. Person by person

"I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." (Jn 12:47)
Amen.
12:48 "He who rejects Me and doesn't receive My words has one who judges him; the word which I've spoken, that'll judge him in the last day"

Christ is in the world and, therefore, in us.
To the contrary: He mus be received into you

Those who act in response to that are Christians.
as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, who were begotten...of God.
Thanks

sojourner · Nov 2, 2006

...this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who practices evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works be reproved...
...He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, yet the world didn't know Him. He came to His own, yet those who were His own didn't receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, who were begotten...of God

Christ being the Light of the world is a condemnation??? The world stood in condemnation already. Why would Christ have to come to further complicate that problem? No, Christ is the answer to the problem of sin -- not a greater part of that problem.

The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. Available to be received by anyone who wills. Person by person

But the gift is a blanket gift -- the gift is for all people.

"I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." (Jn 12:47)
Amen.
12:48 "He who rejects Me and doesn't receive My words has one who judges him; the word which I've spoken, that'll judge him in the last day"

So, you choose to err on the side of unmitigated judgment and condemnation. I choose to err on the side of unconditional love and grace.

To the contrary: He mus be received into you

Christ said, "you did not choose me, but I chose you." I read a quote (can't remember who) that rings true here: "Freedom isn't the ability to choose -- it's the ability to receive graciously." I hold out hope for the human race that all will eventually graciously receive the grace that belongs to all of us.

writer · Nov 4, 2006

Christ being the Light of the world is a condemnation???
Evidently for some, based on Jesus' words I quoted for you, John 3:19

The world stood in condemnation already
That's my experience

Why would Christ have to come to further complicate that problem? No,
I agree with your "no" answer to your own question.
If we were condemned, Christ doesn't "complicate" or compound that

Christ is the answer to the problem of sin
Not particularly to me if I reject Him, cf Jn 3:19; 1:10-12

-- not a greater part of that problem.
Amen: Christ's the Answer

But the gift is a blanket gift -- the gift is for all people.
Amen, absolutely. John 3:16.
But not there's not a blanket reception. Cf Jn 1:10-12.
Rather: whoever wills. Revelation 22:14, 17

So, you choose to err on the side of unmitigated judgment and condemnation.
To the contrary: Jesus Christ, God's Passover Lamb, was judged for sins so u 'n i don't have to be (Exo 12; Jn 1:29; 3:14).
Az u write: God's "unconditional love and grace."
Amen

Christ said, "you did not choose me, but I chose you."
That means not that we don't choose Him. But rather that He initiated

Freedom isn't the ability to choose -- it's the ability to receive graciously
Receiving is choosing. It's choosing to receive

I hold out hope for the human race that all will eventually graciously receive the grace that belongs to all of us.
I hope all do.
Thanks

Christian: What is a Christian?

Baerly

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sojourner

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