Christians - please define what a Christian is ?

Question

Cue inevitable flood of non-Christian derogatory definitions...?

Thanks in advance for all polite, sincere replies.

May God bless you.

John B -

I think you could be right...

Answer 1

Jesus was and is the Christ and all true followers are CHRISTians but there are actions to be taken before one is a practicing Christian.
We have to repent...ie turn away from all that is bad in our lives and TRY to live our lives by the pattern that Jesus set by His lifestyle and His words. This includes being 'born again' as outlined in John 3 v 3-5. Born of water and the Spirit. Once Spiritfilled then the Spirit guides the faithful as best possible but sadly we all sometimes make our own choices instead of letting God by His Spirit....hence we all fall short of the Glory of God....even Christians are sinners at times....by choice or negligence.
The New Testament, particularly Johns Gospel tells anyone interested what is required to become and remain a Christian.
Most people choose not to read it or to skimp over it and not realise the truth.
Best wishes, Mike.

Answer 2

Okay, I have a doctorate in Theology. I am ordained Christian clergy. And have known Jesus for over 20 years now. 1. Has to know Jesus personally. Can speak to him and has heard back from him. That puts 90% of "Christians" out of the running right there. They really worship the power of Psychology too much instead, to openly admit they've "heard from God." 2. Trusts God. All the time. 3. Walks with Jesus. Follows his teachings. 4. Knows how to forgive. If half the people who say they are Christian's knew how to forgive even just every once in a while, the Name of Jesus would not be a joke to most of the rest of the population. 5. Good works. Not that anyone proves they are Christian by doing unselfish things but anyone who obviously has no unselfish works should be suspect. I'd add a sixth one. People who openly admit to stuff like murder, adultery, etc and claim or appear to do the first 5 have to be viewed as possible fakers. But most of all, I just let God judge. It's too hard to know enough about every person who says they are Christian's. If they say they are, I treat them as if they are. It really shakes a lot of people up too. I let God sort them out afterwards.

Answer 3

Well, it means "follower of Christ"-

but the ones that completely fit the definition are few and far between.
To me, follower or Christ denotes some action involved. So to me anyone who considers themselves an "inactive Christian" is, basically, a hypocrite.

I would NOT say that it would include anyone who believes that Jesus existed - because there are other religions who do even to a point that he was a prophet - but who do not exactly follow his teachings or they don't believe he was God's son. And as any Christian would agree, even Satan and his demons know that Jesus is the son of God and lived - does that make them Christians? Not in my book.

Answer 4

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

Answer 5

Jesus had something to say to Peter that might apply here.
After He had been crucified, and before He ascended into heaven, Jesus met the guys in Galilee, where they had been fishing.
After a long and heart-felt talk, just as the group was breaking up, Peter's eye fell on John, and he asked Jesus "what shall this man do?"
Jesus answer was short and to the point. Basically, He told Peter that what went on between Him and John was none of Pete's business. He told Peter "what I say unto you, I say to all. Follow Me."
Evidently, Peter made up his mind at that point that he wouldn't ask any more stupid questions. Peter quit worrying about what other folks were doing, and simply followed Jesus.
That sums it up...that is what a Christian is.

Answer 6

It is not what but rather who is a Christian.

A Christian is one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ and follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Persons can be Christlike or Christian like though ,which refers to one who shows a loving concern for others or by just being humane based on Biblical principles.

God bless

Answer 7

First, you have to believe Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. That Jesus Christ died for our sins and was resurrected to give everyone immortality.

Second, you have to accept the Atonement. The Grace He gives us is activated with true repentance. True repentance is not just asking for forgiveness, but turning away from sin. True repentance is giving forgiveness to another person for their transgressions against you.

Third, a Christian will have a personal relationship with Christ. The Christian will know Jesus, and Jesus will know him.

Forth, a Christian will seek the will of God, and do his best to fulfill the requests.

Answer 8

Someone who realizes that by default humans exist in a fallen state, removed from their real human potential; once acknowledging this, they seek a life source within, a live personality, that has not only preached the way back, but has shown it by example; having realized this way, this true life that is apart from anything the world has to offer, one embarks on the personal journey directed by this source, full of hope in a new life, yet unseen, but knowable by a faith that is unexplainable.

It's a way of life that crucifies the things that lead to death, yet only to come alive in a new resurrected way to the things that are eternal.

Answer 9

Biblical Christianity is the belief that the one God is triune (one God in three persons, not three gods). Father, son and holy spirit. He is personal and involved in our lives. He created the universe and everything in it. He is eternal, changeless, perfect, holy and loves us so very much. Jesus is God, the second form of God in the trinity. As God the Son/aka god, he was not created, but always existed. He was fully god and fully human. he is coequal with the father and holy spirit. He was birthed through the virgin mary. He lived a perfect life here on earth in order to be a perfect sacrifice. He is the only way to salvation and eternal life. He died on a cross and rose from the dead on the third day, as a sacrifice and payment for our sins (according to God's plan). He is alive now and sitting at the right hand of the Father. For 40 days following the resurrection, he was seen by more than 500 (not including the # of women and children, since they were not counted among this #). He physically ascended to heaven and will come again to establish God's kingdom and judge the world. The Holy Spirit is God, the third person/form of the trinity. He is NOT a force or energy but a literal person. He comforts, grieves, reproves, convicts, guides, teaches, and fills Christians. Salvaton is by God's GRACE, not works. Salvation is received by faith..believing in their hearts that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again, which is the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection of the body. After death, believers go to Heaven to be with Jesus, where they will receive final judgement. Those who do not believe will experience seperation from God aka Hell. Heaven and Hell are literal places. Jesus said that his followers would be known by their love for one another. Christians believe that the Bible is the God breathed Word of God given to us as a blueprint for our lives. It is used to minister to our lives as well as others, understanding and knowing the heart of God. NOTHING is to added to it, or taken away from it. We are lovers of Christ, and recognise his love and sacrifice for us.

Answer 10

Do you just want Christians or do you want "Real" Christians.
You could also ask about "True" Christians.
Asking about "Honest" Christians seems pointless but it is a possibility.
A Christian is somebody who believes in the Christian religion. They believe in the God of Abraham and also believe that Jesus was his illegitimate son. They believe that Jesus will be coming back to earth someday maybe and believe that they will go to a magic land in the sky when they die.
"True" Christians and "Real" Christians believe they score extra points with Jesus by making everybody else around them as miserable as possible while they on this planet.