Christians believe that Jesus was Christ..hence the word CHRISTian. JW's do not believe that Jesus was Christ, or God. They believe that Jesus was Michael the archangel. Mormons believe that Jesus' death does not give full atonement of sin, and believe in polytheism (that God the Father, Son and Holy ghost are 3 seperate Gods.)
So how is it that these beliefs are Christian in some views?
2007-07-09 09:13:17 · 26 answers · asked by Tiffany R 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's too easy to use dictionary definitions to 'prove' a group is Christian (even when they are not). All they have to do is say, "We believe in Jesus and are following him." It's also too easy for Christians to use definitions in Creeds/Confessions to 'prove' a group is NOT Christian. This is the problem here. It will get us nowhere but into a slanging match.
The Bible is clear enough about who can and cannot call themselves Christians. First, it shows that Jesus called the apostles - he chose them (even though some of them initially desired to follow him). Crowds began to follow Jesus but many were only interested in miracles, food, or a political savior. The defining mark of a Christian is confessional, as with Peter, when asked by Jesus, "Who do you say I am?" He replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus said God had revealed this truth to him. It was NOT discerned by human thinking. JWs and Mormons may say they agree with this, but THEIR definition of what "the Christ, the Son of the living God" means does not square with orthodox Christian belief. Fortunately, the Bible tells us more.
Romans chapter 8: "...those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'..." On the basis of JW doctrine, only about 8,500 JWs today can claim this as applying to them. Millions of JWs know they are NOT anointed with the Holy Spirit. So, on the basis of Rom. 8, less than 1% of JWs can claim to belong to Christ, despite all their efforts to 'follow'.
Mormons are far harder to nail down on this because they claim to agree with it, yet the Christ they follow is not the Christ of the Bible. Their Christ was sexually born to Elohim and his heavenly 'wife' (as was Satan), and earned god-hood by receiving an earthly body and being obedient to the Mormon ordinances, including temple marriage. Joseph Smith, another of God's choicest spirit sons, assertedly came to usher in the greatest of all dispensations, holding sway over the Church, earth, heaven and hell in this dispensation, all the while steadily advancing to greater godhood as Jesus and other gods supposedly did in their dispensations. Need I say more?
2007-07-10 04:25:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
Yes, salvation is a gift- and you can give a gift back. You don't just say a few magic words (even with a conviction and belief in what you are saying) and then have a free ride to heaven, no matter what you do after that- salvation just doesn't work that way. Take John Averageguy for example. Do you think if John comes to Christ and then years later, after backsliding out of the faith, commits several murders and is killed by the cops during the final one. Do you think that he still goes to Heaven? The obvious answer is NO- he is going to burn. Some people say that if he "truly" came to salvation he wouldn't have done that, that the Holy Spirit inside wouldn't allow him to do that; those people are wrong- the Holy Spirit won't dwell in a desecrated house, and besides, preventing John to do anything would be a violation of free will- something God doesn't do. To this many people would reply that (am I am sure it will be quoted at least once in response to your question) God will never leave us nor forsake us. That's true- He won't. But WE can leave and forsake Him. He will always be right there, asking us to return to Him- but He will never MAKE us. He's pretty big on that free will thing. So, in conclusion, while I don't think that He is just waiting for us to mess up so he can cast us down to hell, I do think that, just like any other gift we receive (including that waffle iron Aunt Murial got you for your wedding), we can throw away God's precious gift of salvation.
2016-05-21 21:50:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoever said that the JW's and Mormons were Christians? The Mormons follow their own books that miraculously appeared under a rock or something many years ago. Their beliefs are not based on the Word of God but on their works. They wear magic underwear and the men believe that they will inherit their own planet with multitudes of wives. If the wives aren't obedient on earth and devoted to their family, they will be deemed unworthy to follow their husband to his planet. Ya, I know. It sounds like a comic book. Then the JW's twist the Word to justify what they are doing. They believe that works will ensure their place in Heaven. They use the King James Bible now but, they read only what they are taught. Reading the whole Word in context isn't what they are taught. They never get the whole picture, only bits and pieces. Don't accept their books or pamphlets because they have a quota to be met each day. They can be very convincing but, it is a religion based on fear and lies. Both of these cults are deceptive and lead you away from the truth. Unfortunately, new believers are susceptible to these people because they are so convincing.
"Study to show thyself approved. Beware, many say they come in My name."
2007-07-17 06:55:34 · answer #3 · answered by talon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
>JW's do not believe that Jesus was Christ, or God.
Incorrect on both accounts. JWs believe what the bible says.
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Therefore, JWs are Christians and they follow Christ directions.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
2007-07-10 06:24:55 · answer #4 · answered by keiichi 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you consider anyone who says the follow Christ as Christians. But if you don't believe in the Trinity - one nature -3 divine persons, Christ was, is God, then one is not a Christian in the true sense of the term.
2007-07-15 17:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by hossteacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not Christian in the sense that they do not believe that CHRIST IS GOD. Scripture says 'And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ' (Romans 8:9). You cannot have the Spirit of Christ within you if you deny that He is God.
2007-07-16 17:05:01 · answer #6 · answered by cheir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry U R false on both. In fact the Morons are called
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.
They base their religion around Jesus Christ and the atonement.
2007-07-15 09:16:26 · answer #7 · answered by famof4 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you mean that the Mormons and JWs don't think of Jesus as their Savior and haven't really turned their life over to Jesus because they have Jehovah or whomever. I think you can be a Christian anyway because you believe in Jesus and follow his lead. I don't think you have to worship Jesus just because you love him and follow him either. Many Christians are taught that if you don't believe just as they do that you are saying you don't believe in God, redemption or the resurrection either. That's going too far in my opinion and I'm not in either one of these religions.
2007-07-17 05:52:35 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We LDS (Mormons) do not believe polytheism. Jesus and theh Holy Ghost are not separate independant Gods from Heavenly Father. We worship Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Also, the only way Jesus' death does not atone for sins is blaspheme against the Holy Ghost. Other than that, if it doesn't, it's up to Christ, not us.
2007-07-09 20:29:31 · answer #9 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Redeemer of the world. ALL mankind receive of the atonement through Christ's gift of the resurrection. Mormons believe that this gift of Christ is given to ALL mankind. All mankind will live eternally in the next life. It is for all of us. To receive of exaltation, one must have good works, ie keep God's commandments. Exaltation is the blessing of being able to live eternally in Christ's presence.
To me, believing that God is a separate being than Christ, who is separate of the Holy Ghost. Being a separate being does not diminish the fact that Christ atoned for our sins.
2007-07-09 10:20:43 · answer #10 · answered by Kerry 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
From a Mormon standpoint. We believe that the atonement of Jesus Christ was infinite, it covers everyone and everything all throughout time and space. However, we believe that it doesn't save people in their sins. but from them. Jesus fulfilled the law of Justice with mercy through the atonement and through our repentance. There are things that are commanded by Christ that necessary for us to do to accept the atonement into our lives.
Where does it say that if you don't believe in the triune God that you aren't Christian?
2007-07-09 09:28:12 · answer #11 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋