2006-12-20 15:27:56 · 8 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
SCORES of religions claim to be Christian. Are they all truly such? How can we tell? One way is in the matter of making disciples.
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. To be his follower means to be not just a believer but an imitator. From the time of his baptism until his death, Jesus spent much of his time in preaching and teaching the good news of God’s kingdom.
The Scriptures clearly show that there is more to being a Christian than simply leading a good life. In his interview with a young ruler Jesus contrasted the importance of just a mere passive doing of good throughout life with the importance of an active service of God for Christians. Having been asked, “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” Jesus advised this young Jew to keep the commandments, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and so on. When the young man assured him that he kept all these, leading a good life, then Jesus told him to ‘sell his belongings and give to the poor, and come and be my follower.’
This rich young ruler was apparently an upright person, one who lived according to the commandments; but when it came to using his life to serve God actively and to advance the Christian ministry rather than his own interests, he refused. He said in effect, ‘It is of no value to serve God,’ apparently considering his material possessions of more importance. (Matt. 19:16-22) The early Christians did not feel that way, however, as many accepted the invitation of Jesus to be his followers and become active in the ministry. They did not think this was a special privilege granted only to Jesus and the apostles, but recognized that all Christians had the grand honor of serving their Creator in a very definite way.
No genuine Christian can rightly shun the privileged work of proclaiming the “good news” to others. Jesus told his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:14-16) That indicated that Jesus’ disciples would be Kingdom preachers.
2006-12-20 18:10:00 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe a true christian is a person that obeys Gods every word. I consider myself a follower of Christ. I have christian beliefs but I have a long way to go before I consider myself a christian. Christianity is a learning process. I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior 9 years ago and I have come a long way. The most important thing I've learned is that I must change on the inside(my heart, my mind) before I will show change on the outside.
2006-12-21 01:41:25 · answer #2 · answered by SuperSkinny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some one who is born again
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Character of Christians are:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Character of a non-Christian are:
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
2006-12-20 23:40:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you can stand on a street in shabby clothes holding a sign that states who God hates, hollering your head off about the end of times. When you can do this for a week and then find out after you sent your donation in to Pastor Ted that he has fallen into sin, and feel sorry for him, that he was tempted by Satan, Then you are a real Christian.
2006-12-20 23:38:33 · answer #4 · answered by Barabas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Christian is a follower of Christ and his teachings. Christians are suppose to love and show compassion for people, bu they are human like everyone else is. Christians believe you have to except Jesus in your heart to go to heaven and you can have a 'relationship' with Jesus. You can pray directly too him... no need for going to a confessional.
2006-12-20 23:32:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A real Christian follows Christ to the best of their ability. First, they must understand who he is and how he lived and then, they must continually examine their lives to see if they are following him. It is not always easy but it is always the best and most rewarding way to live.
2006-12-21 01:03:47 · answer #6 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. Jesus was the promised messiah and king prophesied about throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament is the explaination and revelation of His coming and that He will come again.
We put our faith in Jesus Christ that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to cover our sins forever and that we might also overcome sin and death. He will forgive us for our sins and bring us into new life in Christ. We leave our old life of sin behind and walk on in newness of life in Christ.
John 14.6 "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me."
Romans 10.9-11 "9 If you use your mouth to say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. 10 We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we use our mouths to say that we believe, and so we are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed."
The Book of Luke also records for us Jesus' words........
Luke 6. 44 says " Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don't gather figs from thornbushes, and they don't get grapes from bushes. "
If a person calls themselves a Christian then we should see the "fruit" growing in their lives. We call it the fruit of the Spirit.
When we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes and resides in our hearts. If Jesus is then truly in our hearts and the Holy Spirit is here to remind of the things he said and taught then we should see the "fruit" growing in our lives. The things that are true of the nature of God.
The Apostle Paul refers to these things in Galatians Chap 5.22,23
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, generosity, self-control."
These things were in Jesus Christ and they should be in our hearts if we call ourselves Christians.
Hope that helps.
Jesus Loves You
2006-12-20 23:38:29 · answer #7 · answered by revshankumc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A real Christian is one who follows the 'TRUE' teachings of Jesus Christ.
If you apply this principle, then EVERY MUSLIM IS A CHRISTIAN.
Why?
Because if you read the Gospel of Barnabas, you find Jesus Christ calling to worship ONE GOD, not to associate any partners with him. You find verses asking you to submit to GOD.
Which means Islam (Peace acquired by submittting your will to GOD).
Then there are verses that ask you to refrain from alcohol, pork etc. And all muslims have been commanded the same.
Then you find commands for the women to cover themselves. And muslim women cover themselves.
Then you find that Jesus fell on his face to pray to GOD. And Muslims pray likewise.
Therefore if a Christian is a person who follows the 'TRUE' teachings of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him), then
WE MUSLIMS ARE MORE 'CHRISTIAN' THAN THE CHRISTIANS THEMSELVES AS WE FOLLOW THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST.
2006-12-20 23:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by flameslivewire 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋