What do some (most) Christians say today?

Question

I know from Josephus (an atheist Historian) and early Essene scrolls and by deduction of Jesus' words that, after the crucifixion, the early Christian followers professed these simple clear messages.


1. "You have hurt me, but I forgive you."
2. "If I have hurt you, I am sorry, please forgive me."
3. "I am not afraid to die, because I know that if I am nice to you, I will go to Heaven."


As a consequence, even though they were persecuted by the Jews and Romans, Christianity spread like wild fire across the world (except for Asia of course).

My Question is, What do some (most) Christians profess, today?

Dear "fruitcake" - Ok, I may be wrong about the premise. But, please tell me what do some (most) Christians say today.

Dear "Jan" - I don't think the early Christians ever heard of the "lambs book of life" - then just had a few scroll of Jesus' words, and the Holy Spirit witnessing (quietly) that they would go to Heaven if they followed Jesus instructions.

Dear "soy" - Yes, I understand the "Gospel of the Essenes" was rejected by the Church Empires in 325AD. - I referenced them because they were still historians at the time. (Why would they lie? They opposed the building of large church empires, they had no ulterior motive in regards to fame or fortune. - They didn't want your money. They just wanted to pass on what Jesus had preached to them.

Answer 1

Asia, Africa, and America, actually. But I digress. Their credo is now:

1. You have not hurt me, but I'll still ban you getting married.
2. If I have hurt a single cell in an embryo, I am sorry, please forgive me. If I have hurt a living person, who cares?
3. I am not afraid to have other people die, so I support war and the death penalty.

All of this can be distilled to, "respect for life, up until birth"

Answer 2

It is sad that this question is necessary, but there are a variety of ungodly things operating under the name "Christian" in these modern times.

Regarding Josephus, he was a Jewish historian. He was not an atheist. Being a Jew, his accounts give us a very interesting insight into the context of early Christianity. That said, he did not really discuss Jesus Christ or Christianity. His only reference to Jesus is disputed, but historically, much of his writing aligns with the New Testament accounts.

Jesus said that all of the "Law and the Prophets" were summed up in the golden rule. Matthew 7:12 says, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." That simple yet profound statement captures the three attitudes you illustrate in your question.

As I said, Christianity has been adulterated and used politically by many people for centuries. Yet, then, now and forever, there will remain true followers of Christ who live their lives according to the principles of the New Testament (i.e., Love God and do His commandments, and love your neighbor as yourself).

Lastly, given that Jesus said his kingdom was "not of this world" (John 18:36), and that he is preparing a place for the righteous (John 14:3), true Christ-followers do not fear physical death, for they have the promise of eternal life.

This is what I profess, as a Christian, and I can vouch for thousands of others that live their lives by the same tenets.

I hope this answers your question!

Answer 3

Would be interesting to see how you deducted those 3 messages from the writings of Josephus and the Essene (Dead Sea) Scrolls.

Josephius total mentioning of Jesus and the "Christian" message is a reference to the death of John the Baptist. A reference to the stoning of James, the brother of Jesus. And a (sometimes disputed) reference to Jesus as a miracle worker who was executed and whose followers claim raose from the dead. A total of about 12 sentences. No mention of the teachings of Jesus or his followers is mentioned the writings of Josephius.

The Essene (or Dead Sea scrolls) all appear to predate the time of Jesus by as much as 150 years. While the Essene community was still in existence at the time of Jesus, the WRITINGS that remain are from earlier. The alphabet used, type of paper and ink all predate the time of Jesus. As such, they do not contain a single reference to Jesus or the Christian faith. They are over a century too early in their origin.

So I am curious as to how you deduced these 3 statements from those two sources?

(I am not disputing the statements or anything - I am just confused how you got them from those sources. Can you explain?) Thanks!!

Answer 4

Speaking for myself, I dont know if I speak for most Christians or not but I'd say almost the same thing, except for #3 which would be I am not affraid to die because I have been forgiven through Christ's sacrifice and I will go to Heaven

Which IS what the early Christians also said.. did they also say "If I am nice to you"? I dont know, if they did, it certainly doesnt hurt any. But history strongly shows the early christians believing and being killed for supporting Jesus resurrection.

Answer 5

I(as a Christian) profess that Jesus is Lord and the only way to get to heven is by repenting of your sins and living for him. I do believe 1 & 2 but 3 I'd ammend to I'm not afraid to die, because I know my name is in the Lamb's book of Life. Dying is't a full stop, it's only a doorway from life to LIFE.

Answer 6

An even bigger reason for it's spread was the fact that JESUS performed miracles and returned to see a number of people for 40 days after HE had arisen from the dead. HIS miracles were a sign for everyone to see and HIS Jewish brothers ignored them. This allowed the Apostles to spread the WORD to the Gentiles. There were also a number of ASIAN Churches in the first century. (They are no longer there.)

Study these scriptures and see what you think. To become a Christian:
HEAR - Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
BELIEVE - In Mark 16:16, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
REPENT - Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
CONFESS CHRIST - 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
BE BAPTIZED - Romans 6:3-4 do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
CONTINUE TO BE FAITHFUL - Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Send me a note if you have questions. I am anxious to hear from you. Have a Great day.
Eds

Answer 7

1. "You have hurt me, but I forgive you."
a christian will do this

2. "If I have hurt you, I am sorry, please forgive me."
a christian should do this

3. "I am not afraid to die, because I know that if I am nice to you, I
will go to Heaven
not true you can be nice to everyone and may still not make the grade for Jesus said (Jn.14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. )being nice and not accepting Jesus has no reward!

Answer 8

I can agree with the first two but not the last:

"3. "I am not afraid to die, because I know that if I am nice to you, I will go to Heaven."

No one goes to heaven because they have been nice to people. Christians should be nice because they are going to heaven, not to get there.

Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Ephesians 2:

8 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

We can go to heaven based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. Read the link below to see how

Answer 9

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

I am not afraid to die for my Lord, because He not only died for me but all. He gave himself completely and I too would do the same.

By the way this oath you have found is not accurate, the translation is wrong, the Essenes Scrolls are not Christian based they are Jewish based, the Essenes were Jewish and radical to the point they lived a monastic, seperated from society to avoid Hellinistic changes to over come their beliefs.

Answer 10

Your premise is totally wrong.

Edit: I don't know what most Christians say today---they are not united in their beliefs, except that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Bible is the ultimate authority---and Catholics don't even believe that last one. It is wrong to lump all Christians together and think there is one dogma they go by in everything.
There are also many misconceptions among atheists about what a Christian should be or do or not do.
Christians do believe in morality, I think they all say that.