Why call your self Christian?

Question

Do you strictly go through life by everything that the Christian Bible teaches?
If not then why call your self a Christian?
If you do not believe in what the bible tells you, but you believe in Jesus, do you still call yourself a Christian? If so, why?
What are the requirements to be Christian, just to believe in Jesus?
If all you have to do is believe in Jesus, then why have the bible?

As i read your answers, i have read that some of you seem to contradict each other, yet i believe you two consider your selves Christians. Why is that two "Christians" contradict them selves when talking about the same religion.
One claims that believing in Jesus is enough, the other claims that Believing in Jest IS NOT enough, who is right, and does this mean one is Christian and one is not?

Answer 1

I don't ............. I call myself an Atheist

Answer 2

What you don't seem to understand is that Christianity is an intensely personal experience. I call myself a Christian because I am a disciple of Christ. The term "disciple" comes from the same root as the term "discipline"...in other words, I am the student, and He is the teacher.
The Bible has alot of things in it. There is some history, there is some poetry, there is some wise advice for living, there is some prophecy, and there are some parables. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to tell which is which, especially parables. A parable, in case you didn't know, is a bit like a "fable"...it is a story told to teach a lesson.
Some Christians will be further along in their understanding of the Bible than others, obviously. No man can teach the wisdom that is in the scriptures to anyone, those that have tried have failed miserably. Only the Holly Spirit can do that.
Again, there is no existing criteria I know of by which one can t ell who is a "real Christian" and who is not. However, Christ, Who would know, did tell us that the world would know His disciples by their love. The kind of love He is talking about here is rather special and a bit rare...it is the kind of love that can admire someone's success with no jealousy, that can weep for evil done while still loving the one doing the evil, even to the point of laying down one's life for another. Of course, we are going to fall short much of the time.
I guess the best thing to do is to leave it up to Jesus. He certainly knows Who belongs to Him and Who doesn't, and in the fulness of time, some who are sure they have it right will be amazed to hear Him say He never knew them, while others who know they are still struggling with their sin will be equally amazed to see Heaven's gate swing wide and angels waiting to escort them to their new throne.

His sheep hear His voice and He knows them. A stranger's voice they will not follow.....

Answer 3

So we can learn who Jesus Christ is and follow his ways. In John 1:1 the Word is recognized as Jesus. That is why it is capitalized. The bible is written by the disciples after the Holy Spirit was given to them. Many people acknowledge there is a God but do not read the bible because it is not easy to discipline yourself away from the direction of the World and its ways. We are to serve others and not self. How many unselfish people do you know. fewer than more i bet. Proverbs 16:2 is a good one also. the book of proverbs is fun to read. give it a try. what do you have to loose but a little time in this forum. John 3:16 is God's requirements to be a Christian.

Answer 4

Jesus says scripture is still good for instruction and our scripture, for those who believe Jesus is the Christ, is the Bible. However most Christians follow Pauls teachings who I believe is in the Anti-Christ manner of thought for Paul justifies and excuses self known sin, as of its Gods fault that we sin. While the importence of Jesus is only as the sacrificial lamb, which makes mankind greater than God, not at all what its really about.

Answer 5

Christians read the text and live the life according to this texts the best that one can, The bible is a source for teaching, learning, discipline, laws, traditions, ceremonies, so much you should read the texts/books with an open heart & mind to learn to appreciate all the wonders contained there - If you start I would wish luck in doing so.

Answer 6

As a Christian, we do our upmost to go through this life as whole heartedly and as obediently as we can as the Bible states and as your religion interprets it. A Christian is a believer of Christ and a follower of His word which is written in The Holy Bible. If you read the Bible and had a personal relationship with Jesus you would know that we strive for perfection yet we are not perfect....no human can be. Christians can fall just as any....but it's what we know and believe that keeps us from straying. We can ask for forgiveness and repent from sin. A Christian should believe in what the Bible says because it is His word and He expects you to read and learn. Yes I believe in Jesus, but you know what....even the devil believes in Jesus....therefore you have to follow Jesus and what he expects of you. Your relationship with Jesus will grow if you spend time in His word(Bible) and in prayer with Him on a daily basis. Believing in Jesus is not enough...you have to go further.

Answer 7

Lets go through this slowly, first in James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Belief is NOT enough try BE-LIVING in God, and Jesus according to Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
The term Christian means CHRIST-LIKE, find out more free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com OR www.amazingfacts.org talk to me also [e-mail] God Bless

Answer 8

Excellent question. What is a Christian? A follower of Christ? Ok, what did Christ teach? Let's read the bible and see. But wait, Protestants cannot agree on what the bible teaches. So what to do?

Obviously saying "I believe in Jesus" is not good enough. Jesus established a Church for our salvation. It is the historical Church that has not changed any of Christ's teachings. If you want to chat about the Catholic faith you are welcome to email me [e-mail]

God bless.

Answer 9

Anyone who follows the teaching of Jesus Christ can be called a Christian. But to live like Jesus Christ is tough. He should check into the beatitude Matthew 5 to find out what kind of life Jesus want his followers to follow.

Answer 10

Yes.

If a person does not believe the bible it is highly unlikely that they would consider themselves a Christian. They go together.

The only requirement to be saved is to ask Jesus to forgive your sins. To be a Christian means that you are a "Christ follower", so you would naturally want to follow His teachings.

Again, the bible and Christianity go hand in hand. The bible is the source of our knowledge of Jesus. You can't really have one without the other.

Answer 11

I consider myself a Christian, because I believed He existed and I see Him as Master, a Teacher, an example to be followed. However, although I know a lot of the Bible, I don't follow it.

I am Christian and my religion is Spiritism.

Peace!