A Christian is someone who has been born again. Who has accepted Christ into their hearts. Who believe He is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, lived his life as a man, was tortured and crucified for our sins, died and rose on the 3rd day and is alive today. People throw the word "Christian" around without really knowing what a Christian is. Just because you are catholic, lutheran, methodist etc. etc. does not instantly make you a Christian. You are not a Christian unless you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. Religion is man made rules and regulations and is not Christianity. So next time you say "You Christians" you may be addressing, judging or accusing the wrong people.
2007-08-08 07:04:55 · 16 answers · asked by Kaliko 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you to the fullest.. I'm non denomination christian... meaning we don't affiliate with other religions because they are man made..
ALOT of ppl think Christians are fake and rude, and force you to convert...
We are kind, loving, forgiving, friendly, happy, not perfect, we don't force you to convert it's your own choice, we love every single person in this world even if they are the cruelest and or rudest,etc.
Those who are not what i wrote above are not true Christians... They are something else. Those who force to convert you are crazy...
God Bless ♥
2007-08-08 07:20:40 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ inkythecutie ♥ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can agree with everything you said. As a child I was taught all these things and many ,many more .How to live to please God and accept His Son and so on. The real salvation came was when I gave up most all of what I'd been taught and simply prayed" Father you know how I've been taught and how I've tried to live that life. Now Isimply believe in You and the work You've done through your Son and I accept and will follow wherever You lead." At that exact moment the purest presence entered my heart and soul and has never left. T4
2007-08-08 15:37:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So does that mean my aunt, the sweetest, most gentle-hearted person who ever lived, a woman who never had a bad thing to say about anyone and who gave herself so selflessly to her family, husband and church... are you saying she's going to hell because she was only a devout Catholic? Because I never asked her before her neck broke ten years ago in a car accident if she had ever "personally accepted Christ as her savior." I mean, she was a devout Catholic who went to Mass every week, prayed, read her Bible, lived a decent life... but she didn't personally accecpt anything. No one ever told her such. She lived the "Christian" life she'd been taught to live.
Before you answer, bear in mind you didn't know my aunt and you don't have a copy of Heaven's admittance list.
My experience is people usually say "You Christians" it's because they're so frustrated about a group of people who supposedly follow the teachings of a loving Christ yet only seem to produce judgement and pride. My aunt was more Christlike than most of the people in this world who have supposedly "personaly accpeted Jesus."
I'm glad you've accepted him. Now drop your judgemental, holier than thou attitude and try to act like him.
2007-08-08 17:50:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mentioned "was born of a virgin." A lot of folks mention that as part of the litmus test. And yet, two of the Gospels don't mention it at all, so how important is it?
Here's a better, more Biblical, less dogmatic litmus test:
If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and you say that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Jesus said, "follow me."
He told us to follow him, and to make disciples of all the nations, not to make "Christians," or even churches.
He told us to love each other, not to parse the OT into little pieces, or to get angry at people who attack us.
He told us to love each other. No conditions, no expectations.
Think about being a follower of Christ, not a "Christian."
2007-08-08 14:15:02 · answer #4 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being a Christian, actually, means much more than believing in Jesus, although that is a start.
Being a Christian means being like Christ and living the way Christ lived. Or is it for no reason that Christ "left a model for you to follow his steps closely" (1 Peter 2:21) To believe in Jesus means not only to accept that he existed and died for us, but it also means that we believe the things he taught and live "no longer for [ourselves], but for him who died for [us]" (1 Corinthians 5:15).
And besides, true faith means much more than merely acknowledging Jesus' existence and worthiness of our devotion. For example, a husband can acknowledge that his wife exists and is deserving of his devotion. But if the husband cheats on his wife with another woman, can he really be called faithful? Likewise, true faith also means that we are loyal and obedient to Jesus. Jesus even said "If you love me, you will observe my commandments." -John 14:15
2007-08-08 14:14:16 · answer #5 · answered by johnusmaximus1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I know what it means.
Having the mind of Christ and conducting
ourselves as he would in all things.
1 Peter 2:21, He set a model for us to
follow.
2007-08-08 14:10:26 · answer #6 · answered by itsmissjackson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone who has been Baptized in the Name Of the Father, & Of the Son, & Of the Holy Spirit is a Born-again Christian.
A Christian is someone who believes in the Literal Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
A Christian is somebody who confesses his/her sins.
A Christian is not afraid to call the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, & his/her own Blessed Mother too.
2007-08-08 14:10:31 · answer #7 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You cannot co-opt the term Christian to mean, just what you want it to mean, by your possibly narrow definition.
I believe John 3:16 that says whosoever believes in him....
The rest of the stuff is fluff....born of a virgin, son of God, etc...it is arguing semantics, religion and interpretation of scripture.
You should never judge another's heart...nor if they are a "true Christian"...God is the ultimate authority on scripture...and on one's heart...not you.
2007-08-08 14:14:59 · answer #8 · answered by G.C. 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
indeed. many do not understand the true meaning of being Christian. a Christian is called to ultimately follow the true path of Christ. metaphorically speaking, a Christian is called to die, so that others may live.
~PhoeniX~
2007-08-08 14:12:45 · answer #9 · answered by Spurious 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is one interpretation out of thousands, which is the problem with your religion in the first place.
Your interpretation of Christianity and being a 'real' Christian can be completely different from another Christians interpretation.
That leads to disagreement, family disputes, denomination splits and argument.
The only constant in the Christian religion is the followers need to condemn others in order to bolster their individual faith.
2007-08-08 14:09:22 · answer #10 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋