I understand that Christians believe in Christ, but what else "qualifies" you to be a Christian? Must you be baptised? Do you need to "know Christ as you own personal savior"? Do you have to attend church regularly? Do you need to pray? Is it important to follow ALL ten commandments? Please use details in your answer.
I realize that I will have varied answers but I want to know if there are any certain criteria to be a Christian.
2007-03-31 13:02:40 · 13 answers · asked by thecrazycatlady12 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What about sex? Is it alright for christians to have premarital sex? Why or why not?
2007-03-31 13:09:57 · update #1
-We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired and infallible, authoritative Word of God and that God gave the words of Scripture by inspiration without error in the original autographs. God promises that He will preserve His Word; Jesus said, “but my words shall not pass away”–Matt. 24:35. --We believe God has kept that promise by preserving His infallible Word in the traditional Hebrew and Greek manuscripts .
-We believe there is one triune God, eternally existent in the persons of Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit; these three are one in essence, but distinct in person and function.
-We believe that Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, became the physical manifestation of the Godhead to mankind. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood and His bodily resurrection.
-We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Agent of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sanctification, and illumination of all who are born into God’s family through Jesus Christ. We are opposed to the charismatic movement and its tongues and other sign manifestations.
-We believe that God created the universe in six literal days and that man was created in the image of God but chose to sin. Hence, all persons inherit a depraved nature and are lost sinners in need of salvation.
-We believe that salvation is a free gift of God for “whosoever will”; it is by grace, through faith, plus nothing, and believers are eternally secure. Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
-We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and lost: those that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life in heaven and those that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation in a literal lake of fire.
-We believe in the spiritual unity of the body of Christ and that God has ordained the local church for the perpetuation of His truth and work in the world, and that two ordinances of the local church are baptism by immersion and a regular observance of the Lord’s Supper by believers.
-We believe in the imminent, pre-Tribulation return of Jesus Christ for all believers. This Rapture of the saints will be followed by a seven year period of Tribulation, after which Christ will return in glory to judge the world and set up His millennial reign on earth.
2007-03-31 13:14:09 · answer #1 · answered by Patrick D 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
That's pretty much it. Just believe in the first and second testament and live as closely to the teachings of Christ as much as possible. No church was around for people who could not read or afford a bible. Well according to the Old Book yes, yes.... ha ha all Ten Commandments are important to the religion. Its not hard to follow them. But in this society you won't get far. Christianity teaches submission and satisfaction with mediocre lives. It was used to suppress people like native Americans and slaves. Don't fight back don't do whats best for you, just believe in God and let us good Christians tell you what you need... now go build us a Church and then put some money in it.
2007-03-31 20:10:00 · answer #2 · answered by Satanic Panic 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
There is no qualification to be a Christian,other than belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God and offers personal salvation,and to accept it. Beyond that,you may adhere or not adhere to anything else. Obviously,joining an organization involves adherence to a - generally - quite rigid set of beliefs,but even there,some denominations are not really very strict. I'm devoted to my pocket new testament for example,but openly regard the "old testament" as entirely of the Jewish faith. My attachment is solely to the Gospel. This isn't the official view of my church but it is tolerated of me.
2007-03-31 20:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by Bahira 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It means to believe not only in Christ but that Christ is God's son and that he died to save us. Also you must believe in God and the Holy Spirit.
2007-04-08 11:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by Niki B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing Christ as your personal Savior is the one and only thing that can make you Christian.
Pre-marital sex is considered sin... but as long as you ask for forgiveness and repent, all your sins will be erased.
2007-03-31 20:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by Petina 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You live for Jesus and Live by God's Word! You have Jesus in your heart! With Jesus you have Joy,Peace,Happiness,Yes we do Follow the ten commandments! Jesus is the only way to Heaven! With Jesus you have everlasting life! Without Him there is only death!
2007-04-07 21:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by purplebutterflyrain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All denominations of Christianity have different views. However the verse from the bible says jesus died for whoever believes in him. Basicaly if you believe Jesus died for your sins on the cross, (some denominations believe God, jesus and the holy ghost are 1, while Catholics, anglicans and several other denominations believe in the trinity) and if you belive in either of those enclosed in brackets you are a christian. Just try to use christ as a example and try not to follow in the foot steps of apocalypse cults and other wackos.
2007-03-31 20:11:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and your only God. And make sure to read your bible every now and then to understand what you as a christian believe in.
2007-03-31 20:07:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
why do people ask questions that cause preaching who cares there is no criteria to be christian just to belive in christ and his teachings that is what your bible says..personaly i think the bible is BS as that people have put their own meaning to it when they translated it unstead of giving the direct translation..anyone want to see how much change there has been look at the dead sea scrolls....(pagans rock) long live thor!!!!!! oh also one of the qualificatoins for being a chirstian is lack of critical thinking skills (sheep)
2007-03-31 20:11:17 · answer #9 · answered by KarmicFacilitator2000 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The two most important commands God ever gave man are to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as you love yourself. Love for God and love for self and others are at the core of Christianity and unless those things are there, all other church / religious practice is empty.
Love is what gives power to all those other things you mentioned. You pray because you love God and want to talk to him. You pray for others out of love for them. You go to church because you love the people there, want to see them, and worship God with them. Going to church is a joy (not a chore) when you are really in a good community and love God. If you really love God, it means you trust him and will want to follow his commands!
Love and reverence come first, and all the other "stuff" falls into place.
2007-03-31 20:07:25 · answer #10 · answered by peacetimewarror 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Christ.....the anointed. Christians.....the anointed ones.
All you need is a large ego and a non-stop patter on the gentle Rebe, that He would never have accepted. As he told his disciples.
2007-03-31 20:11:40 · answer #11 · answered by Terry 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋