How can someone believe in Jesus but not be a Christian?..that one confused me.
2007-01-14 06:17:22 · 31 answers · asked by TNT 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
why would this confuse you ?
even satan believes he exists (he knows he does)
yet is satan a Chrisitian?
2007-01-14 06:21:23 · answer #1 · answered by revdauphinee 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how one "interprets" the question.
For example; I believe that Jesus existed and went through the experiences (lived, crucified, etc.) However; I believe that Jesus purpose differs from those of so called Christians I do not feel Jesus died for our sins in the same text as some others. I believe Jesus died in order for all of us to realize that we can over come the restraints that are upon us (kind of like sins) and realize we are as him and are one with God.
Yes; Jesus is the son of God and so are all of us.In my opinion; many view the Bible in the literal sense and I feel that many of the interpretations that religions create our just that.They tend to personalize the facts concerning God in the way they want one to believe.
I realize that some may view my thoughts as "blasphemy" and that is the all ok with me.However; when I see the many different religions that exist on the planet today, even the varied religions within the scope of "Christianity" and most claim you must be their religion or suffer "hell" I just do not comprehend a God that creates us to play some form of gambling in order to achieve Heaven.
I believe when we choose the moment to depart that is when all will be remembered.
2007-01-14 06:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people have believed in Jesus without being Christians. Most Gnostic sects, for example, adopted Christian concepts (including a belief in Jesus), but were still Hellenistic pagans by definition. The Ebionites believed in the teachings of Christ, but rejected the view that he was Divine.
2007-01-14 06:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by NONAME 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think there is some reason to believ that Jesus was a real person (though this is far from certain). Being Christian, on the other hand, requires all sorts of other beliefs. Easy distinction.
2007-01-14 06:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by neil s 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I answered several questions like that, so you may be referring to me.
It's simple. Muslims believe in Jesus Christ. Baha'is believe in Jesus Christ. Hare Krishnas believe in Jesus Christ. I'm sure there are other groups as well which believe in Jesus Christ.
You may be asking, if they believe in Christ, why are they not Christian? Well, a Christian is someone who believes that the canon of scriptures is closed and that there are no new revelations from God AFTER Jesus Christ. I am someone who believes that there have been revelations from God after Jesus Christ. This means I am not a Christian.
I am a Baha'i. The Baha'i Faith accepts Jesus Christ and the Bible and I believe in Him with all my heart and soul. In response to some of the people above, I DO believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Saviour, etc. I do believe He was the Son of God (not literally of course, since God was not a man and thus, could not father a literal son). In the ancient Israelite context, "Son of..." meant "Has the attributes of", like the Sons of Thunder mentioned in the New Testament. I do not believe Jesus was one third of God or the same essence as God, but then most early Christians didn't believe that also, and the apostles certainly didn't. I believe He was a perfect, sinless, infallible, pre-existent human being, a Mirror of God, a greater Prophet, a Manifestation of God, the Word made flesh. So yes, millions and millions of non-Christians DO believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour, etc. Yes, Baha'is believe in the Bible. Not everything in the Bible should be taken literally, and certainly some historical parts may not be 100% accurate, but it is an inspired Book.
Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, taught that there is only one religion that is progressively revealed to humankind. At one stage in history, it was called Hinduism, at another, Buddhism, at another, Judaism, at another, Christianity, at another Islam. To a certain extent, location as well as time have played a role. The current stage in this process of "progressive revelation" is the Baha'i Faith. All of these are stages in one process of divine guidance. They all have the same central teachings of love and unity. The message is worded differently according to our own capacity to understand the message from God. Baha'is believe that human beings are now approaching their collective maturity, and the Baha'i teachings are suited to the needs of the time in which we now live.
Baha'is rely on a very symbolic interpretation of scripture and believe that many prophecies from the Bible and other holy books have already come to pass.
Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith has revealed many principles and teachings, which will eventually bring about the era of universal peace promised in all the Scriptures of the past. These teachings could hardly be summarized in so short a space, but they include: The equality of men and women, the independent investigation of truth, the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty, the establishment of a world auxiliary language and a world federal government, etc. Baha'u'llah wrote: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."
2007-01-15 03:52:29 · answer #5 · answered by darth_maul_8065 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They probably meant that they were not part of an organized christian group, but that they still believe in Jesus and God. Nowadays you don't have to go to a group to tell you how to think. The Bible is pretty well available everywhere. A person can interpret it for themselves.
2007-01-14 06:27:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I beleive in Jesus. Not as the son of God but as a great prophet, teacher, spiritual/moral leader.
I am not Christian because I do not beleive that Jesus was Christ or the son of God or God himself. A man, a great man, but a man is all.
2007-01-14 06:27:00 · answer #7 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even Jews and Muslims and Baddest believe that Jesus lived and existed. However, they don't believe he is the Son of God and died for our sins. Many believe he was a prophet and some just a really good magician.
2007-01-14 06:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by tas211 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
How can someone believe in Jesus but not be a Christian?..that one confused me.
muslims BELIEVE that HE was a minor Prophet..lesser than their favorite Mo.!
Mormons believe in Jesus== the brother of Lucifer! YUK!
Vatican Catholics believe in Jesus, but still need The Catholic Church and Mary for salvation!
Lotsa confusion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2007-01-14 06:22:47 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being a Christian is being Christ like, and that means being changed from the old person you are, to a new creature in Christ. Now someone can believe in Jesus, but never change to be Christ like so maybe that will help.
2007-01-14 06:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't know exactly what that person said but you can believe that Jesus existed without believing he was the son of God.
2007-01-14 06:28:37 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋