The original word meant "little Christ." So in otherwords, it means that a life looks like Christ, acts life Christ, and does things like Christ. Many of the people who were originally called "Christians" were working miracles.
People today that use that name do not fit the criteria, so what do you think?
My personal opinion is that most of us are not even closet to fitting the criteria to carry that name, including myself, though I am a follower of Christ.
What's your opinion?
2007-08-26 04:59:36 · 11 answers · asked by Jane 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to the Bible "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). If you are a follower of Christ you have every right to call yourself a Christian. There are many people who call themselves Chrstian who aren't really so. Forget about them. The world is full of imposters: people who profess to be what they are not. God alone knows their hearts. Let us not waste our time speculating who's real and who isn't. Like Jesus told Peter: "What is that to you? You follow Me."
2007-08-27 02:34:52 · answer #1 · answered by jael 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the original definition is of christian means "partisan of christ" or "belonging to christ." the meaning of the word disciple is a "follower of christ." I agree that anyone who claims to be a christian or a disciple of christ should exemplify christlike attributes or live christlike lives. Christ does not ridicule, hate, front, scorn, or mock. Many people do not fully understand Christ to claim that they are disciples of christ or christians hence the reason why many non christians have a scary perception of christianity because of it so called members.. Some people just like the idea of saying that they are christian without being fully converted or even attending church 2 to 3 times a year or even their whole lives. They are in essence faking the front. Some people may have been raised christian, felt inspired by other christians, and therefore remember and have felt the good spirit of christianity therefore have felt compelled to claim to be christians yet do not know Christ. Some people do not realize it but when they claim something they aren't fit for yet they are playing with desires of people who truly know Christ, have the sincere claim and are devout church goers, who pay tithe and offerings, who love to serve others, study out of their scriptures, and so forth. I dont think that this is website for those types of proclaimed christians ones that dont study scripture, pray ocassionally, go to church only on easter sunday and christmas, and basically just do christian things when convenient to them. We are in a spiritual battle and anyone who steps up to the plate on RS should have their armour and sword (scriptures) ready. We defend what we believe and know to be true, not what we think we know to be true. The doors of hell will open wider, and it is important that we know for ourselves whos side we are on. The devil will not back down. We must defend Christ to the grave!
2007-08-26 12:38:08 · answer #2 · answered by LooneyLu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do argree that the term "Christian" has been abused. I think, though, that Christian also means striving to be like Christ. There are many people who attend Church, but have no belief in God that call themselves Christians. These people don't understand that Church is a good place to go, but it does not in any way make you a Christian, only a faith in Jesus Christ/God can do that.
2007-08-26 12:07:28 · answer #3 · answered by caitlin k 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paulians would probably be a better term. To follow the way of Jesus it would be necessary to ignore the stories about him, examine the words attributed to him, after having eliminated those words added by the early church and include some of those words banished by the early church. Then put the teaching into practice and see what happens.
2007-08-26 12:18:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it has, look at the news for the past week and many things have happened with in many churches, we all miss the mark and all are sinful but i strive to do the best i can how ever flawed.
2007-08-26 12:05:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do my best everyday to live a Christ like life....I don't know about others but Jesus is my Life!
2007-08-26 12:04:41 · answer #6 · answered by Fireball224 f 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not all who say unto Me, "Lord, Lord" shall be saved.
Obviously what you call yourself has very little to do with your faith as evidenced by your life.
2007-08-26 12:20:55 · answer #7 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree. Especially when I read some of the crap posted here.
2007-08-26 12:04:24 · answer #8 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, i believe that Jesus would find the overwhelming majority of churches offensive.
2007-08-26 12:05:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it has been severely abused, yes.
2007-08-26 12:08:47 · answer #10 · answered by Perceptive 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋