What are the basic beliefs that make one a christian or a non-christian? Is it possible for there to be more than one type of christian, or do they have to hold a specific set of beliefs and nothing outside of those beliefs?
2007-09-12 06:47:42 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You're going to get various answers to this question because we all have "opinions" or "beliefs" that may not be correct. Also, we are the ones who created the term "Christian". In the Bible, it says the "believers were first called Christians" at Antioch. Using that term then, I would answer that they should be believers. The term "believers" refers to people who believe and follow Christ (hence, CHRISTian) - and were people who were being persecuted for that belief that He was Lord. So in the most simplistic terms, a "Christian" would be somebody who believes and follows Christ as their Lord.
Now we could argue all day about what following Christ looks like (they didn't even get it right back when Christ was alive and when the church first started). Instead, I'd rather just keep it simple. That way, we (people) can't mess it up too bad!
Be blessed.
2007-09-12 06:59:21 · answer #1 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well Jews, as a faith do not think that Jesus Christ was once the divine Son of God. Jews think he was once with no trouble a person, a prophet, a first-class trainer. Mormons alternatively without doubt think Jesus is God and that the New Testament Jesus was once the Messiah who got here to save lots of mankind. In this Traditional Christianity and LDS Christianity are congruent. It is that this notion that qualifies a individual to be referred to as Christian, Jews don't even desire to be viewed Christian. They think He hasn't come the primary time but. So Mormons are Christain of their notion of Jesus Christ because the Divine Son of God. Christians aren't Jews on the grounds that Jews do not depend opon Christ for Salvation. Kind of a sensible notion rather.
2016-09-05 11:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like there is one God. There is only one Christian. There are lots of people that are stereotypical as Christians. But they do not even know God. Philippians chapter 3. Paul said his aim is to know the Christ and to share in his suffering. He considered all of his education and heritage as nothing. But found that to know Christ is everything. Paul had a relationship with God that many until this day did not understand. He was a religious leader that had a zeal to persecute the Christians. Jesus came into his life knocked him off his horse and blinded him. Sent him to other Christians that was afraid of him. Yet in the end he win the heart of God and many others.He was used with that same zeal to win others to believe in Jesus. That confirms that God said "All things work for the good of those whom love the Lord and the called according to his purpose." Some are called because of love and some our used for a purpose. Paul started out as a purpose then he found it for the love of God. What does it take to be considered a Christian. A love for God and his people. 1 Cornithians 13.
2007-09-12 07:19:25 · answer #3 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To become a Christian, simply accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To act as a Christian, repent of your sins, and ask for forgiveness. There are different denominations of worship, (Baptist, Methodist, Pentocostal, etc.), but the sole beliefs are accepting Christ as your Savior, He is the Son of God, conceived in the flesh by the Holy Spirit and Mary. The New Testament of the Holy Bible, NKJV, explains in detail the specifics of living as a Christian. The best to you!
2007-09-12 07:02:03 · answer #4 · answered by Mookie 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What we think isn't what matters. Oh, you have good answers here about the beliefs I'm sure, but what REALLY matters, what truly makes a person be considered Christian, is if they are known by Jesus. HE has to know YOU.
See Matthew 7:21-23. Apparently there will be many that will be rejected by Jesus because He never knew them. And these people spent their lives thinking that they did.
2007-09-12 06:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jed 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christian beliefs widely differ in many "areas" between each denomination. Catholicism is different than Protestantism, which is different than Baptists and Evangelicalism... and so on. The one unified belief is in "Jesus Christ", his teachings,him being God's son and his being their Savior. They generally all believe in his Death on the cross and his Rising from the dead, and most Christians believe that after death we go to heaven or hell depending on the life we lead on earth. They preach that you are to live like Jesus in your day to day life and follow his teachings. Worship him and only him (as he is widely considered to be God and the Holy Spirit all wrapped up in one) and follow his commandments. Only some Christians believe that you have to be "born again" to get into heaven and these are usually only within some Protestant sects. Some believe that you can get prayers to God/Jesus through praying to Mary (Jesus' mom) and some find this to be worshiping Mary and don't agree with it. Some believe in confession, some don't. It seems most believe in the Old Testiment (OT) and even fewer believe in the New Testiment (NT) of the Bible - of course that depends on which "version" you read of the Bible as well. Most believe that when you eat the wafer and drink the wine, that you are actually eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood... others don't adhere to this belief. You could go on like this all day.
So.... it really depends on what "type" of Christian you are referring to - in order to know what it takes to be considered one in that denominations eyes. And depending on who you talk to in any given sect of these denominations, the rules are more or less strict. Personally it seems that if you speak the speak and appear to walk the walk - then most will believe you are a Christian.
2007-09-12 09:33:18 · answer #6 · answered by I, Sapient 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One type of Christian,only. One who has received grace to believe by faith (with repententance),in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus the Christ,for the remission of all sin and to act on the belief by confession. Christianity,is simply a relationship with God,though his Son. Good works, a new character and a changed life are evidence of a genuine conversion.
2007-09-12 07:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Many claim to be what they are not. And raising hell about them is foolishness. If one were to read the Bible, they would see it teaches the same as many religions. Christ wanted us to learn to use our spirit. But in an ethical way. Not just to be nice. But because manipulating others creates a spiritual bond that has to be worked off later. Before we can rise to the Higher Dimensions of True Peace and Rest.
Why do we reject prophecy, when we all have dreams of our own future? Isn't the "trick of the mind", that we block our natural telepathic and empathic abilities out?
2007-09-12 06:56:33 · answer #8 · answered by THE NEXT LEVEL 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chris·tian (krĭs'chən)
adj.
1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2.Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
n.
1. One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
*** yes I used cut and paste...... I know!!! I took the easy way out!
2007-09-12 08:08:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am A Christian because I believe in the good words of love and peace from Jesus, no other reason.
2007-09-12 06:52:55 · answer #10 · answered by Lin Li 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋