What attributes set Christians apart from other religions ?
Is there a single word that can apply to ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS ?
2007-06-20 10:29:12 · 43 answers · asked by dave777 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A true Christian is known by the fruit he/she bears. A true follower of Christ will be Christ like in all her ways. You will be able to tell that something is different in them because the Lord of Jesus will shine in them at all times.
2007-06-20 10:32:33 · answer #1 · answered by joyce 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The word Christian was not a compliment but rather an insult. In Acts, we are told they were first called Christians at Antioch. This was a title given to people who were under the teachings of Jesus Christ. This was a set apart term given to those people. What makes a Christian different? They will know we are Christians by our LOVE. Christians accept and love, they dont hate and judge, religion does that. God So loved the World that he gave unconditionally. It doesnt matter what men do or say NOTHING can separate you from the Love of God. Christians are people who learn to love unconditionally.
2007-06-20 13:36:18 · answer #2 · answered by pastortony_1999 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
AGAPE. It is Greek, one of the four words to describe love. It is the highest form. Love based on principles.
As for mark(s): 1Cor. 1:10, They would all speak in agreement, without divisions. Have the same mind and line of thought.
Galatians 5:22-23: Lists the fruitages of the spirit they would all posses. The paragraph before that contrasts the works of the flesh that false religion have.
1Cor. 13:4,13: The qualities that remain for true Christians today, among them is love.
These are the things that mark true Christians.
2007-06-21 02:12:10 · answer #3 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
...Hello. Thanks for asking for my thoughts. I direct you to the Navigators' web site and recommend you listen to the audio file "Marks of a Disciple".
...We are told in the book of Acts 11:26, "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Nowadays, it seems we have things backwards - we become believers and then disciples - that apparently was not the way of the early church. Anyway, go to the link below and listen to it.
...I guess the one word that can and should apply to all Christians, is love. And love here is not a gushy feeling, although you may have feelings. It means a decision, an act of the will, to be patient, kind, etc, whether or not feelings exist, to look out for the very best for all those around you, to lay down your life for the Lord or another if called to do so, and to count others as more important than yourself.
...I hope this helps you and may God bless you.
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...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. (Acts 16:31)
...Whosoever will, may come.
2007-06-20 14:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by carson123 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dr. Francis Shaffer wrote a book titled, "Mark of a Christian" and it was based upon Jesus' words, "by this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Look at what Christianity has done. The concept of hospitals came from religious Christians. The great old universities of Europe had their beginnings in the middle ages as Christian places of learning. Slavery was abolished largely through the efforts of very Christian people.
Today look at people like Mother Teresa who serve others of various faiths and ask for nothing in return. When there is a disaster anywhere in the world you see Christian charities responding. Do you see Muslims rush out to give aid to Christians who are in trouble? Do Buddhist and Hindu organizations do anything for anyone other than their faiths?
Overall Christians are still criticized for not doing more, but they still make greater sacrifices than anyone else.
2007-06-20 10:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. D 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Revelation 12:17
Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
They are the ones that...
1. Hold to the testimony of Jesus
2. Obey the 10 Commandments including the forth
Exodus 20
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Cheers
Guy
2007-06-20 14:50:46 · answer #6 · answered by BodyByChocolates 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A "mark" would be how others recognize a Christian. But not all people see things the same way. There is a saying that goes, " In a crowd of saints, a pickpocket would only see their pockets."
The key is to know that you are living a pure life and you will attract the right ones to you to help and to help you with your mission. God sees you for who you are, He's not looking at your pockets.
Spending a lot of time differentiating oneself from others detracts from and cuts into the time you can can devote on your mission.
2007-06-21 05:14:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be perfect as Christ was perfect...since the real answer of loving one another was already taken, then the perfect came to mind.
If a Christian keeps trying to progress closer to God through Jesus and the Holy Spirt, and does not grow stagnant and proud, then they are on the right track.
Set apart from other religions? Love, peace, obedience to God, protecting allies, and trying to get closer to perfection so that the world will be a better place.
One word? Holiness
2007-06-20 10:57:29 · answer #8 · answered by cop350zx 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Christian literally means: "Little Christ"
(therefor, if we are like Christ and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as the Bible depicts...than that would be our mark/ the true attributes of a real Christian.)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." Galatians 5: 22, 23
God bless.
2007-06-20 14:20:06 · answer #9 · answered by redglory 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the true mark of a christian, is simply their actions, and attitudes towards other people. This is something that can be seen. The objective, and what I try to do, is to let other people who are not christians, see the light of Jesus in your life, through your actions. The gift of having God in your life, should be so great, that it is reflected through your actions.
2007-06-20 12:18:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mark of a true christian is a large mole in the center of the forehead.
2007-06-20 15:05:31 · answer #11 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋