Exactly why is it that when someone says something that certain Christians disagree with they roll out the..'As a true Christian' card. Do you consider other people, who disagree with your position, to be false Christians? What’s your secret? What makes you so perfect? What makes you a true Christian as opposed to a false one? Is a true Christian a Christian a person who accepts the trinity? Is a true Chirstian a person who rejects the trintiy? Is a true Christian a Christian who was baptized a s a baby or as an adult? Is a true Christian a Protestant or a Catholic Christian? Let's get to the bottom of this once and for all shall we?
2007-10-30 08:28:51 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's a great question. I can see why there can be some misunderstanding when someone uses that term. I just hope the person making that statement knows that he or she is a "true Christian." First of all, to become a true Christian one must relinquish all hope of self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, self-help, in trying to save oneself. A true Christian is someone who has first and foremost trusted in Jesus Christ to do for him or her what he or she could never do for themselves. Jesus came to die for our sins, take them upon Himself, bear the judgment that we deserved, so that people can be forgiven, reconciled to God, enjoy peace with God, and have hope beyond the grave. He guaranteed this when He rose again from the dead. This ought to remove all boasting in the self because it is all of grace.
Beyond that, the Scriptures are the final source of authority for faith and practice. I think what you may be referring to is someone who claims to be a Christian (follower of Christ) yet practices, purports, endorses, recommends something totally contrary to Christ's teaching. No one can judge whether someone is a true believer or not (only Christ does) but the Bible which Christ is the author says, "examine yourselves whether you be in the faith." and "make your calling and election sure." Jesus said in Luke 6:46 - "why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say."
2007-10-31 02:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A true Christian is someone who follows the core doctrine of the Christian faith. That would be the the Bible is the word of God, that the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God the Father are all God and are the same God. That Jesus came to earth was born of the virgin Mary, died on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected on the third day. If you believe that you will be saved. All Christians should be trying to work on perfecting their lives here on earth with the help of the Holy Spirit. I don't think much else matters after that.
2007-10-30 15:39:24 · answer #2 · answered by Philip S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All who come to God in The Way He prescribes will receive His free gift of salvation. Those become part of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. Those are the ones of The True Christian Faith. Only those of The Church will enter Heaven...
Just because the world may call some "christian" does not make it so... and there are many who think they are "christian"because some man or priest or pastor or doctrin told them so... that don't make it so... Only God may decree one to be of The Church and that makes one a True Christian.
2007-10-30 15:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Secularly a true Christian is anyone who believes that Jesus Christ was the messiah. Theologically, Luke tells us in Acts that to be saved you need to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, acknolwedge he died for your sins and ask forgiveness for the sins you have committed. That's it. Nothing else is required or expected. There are a number of ways that the scriptures tell us how to live our lives but acceptance, acknowledgement, and a request for forgiveness is all that is required for salvation.
2007-10-30 15:39:59 · answer #4 · answered by TKDMAN121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A christian is a person who accepts Christ as his personal saviour. He should live according to the Bible, which is the word of God.
Its not for me to judge who's a 'real' christian or who isn't. In my opinion, thats between the person and God. Man sees what is before his eyes, but God knows the heart of a person.
2007-10-30 15:53:55 · answer #5 · answered by ocean_girl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A true Christian is someone who:
1. Admits that they are a sinner.
2. Admits that they cannot do any good works to save themselves or which contribute to their salvation.
3. Believes that Jesus died on the cross to save them from their sins.
4. Believes the Jesus rose from the dead.
5. Confesses that Jesus is Lord and has risen from the dead.
6. Has asked Jesus to forgive their sins.
7. Has received Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Pastor Art
2007-10-30 15:38:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
We can complicate this matter a great deat, and we have and will continue to do so, BUT
Simply stated:
A true Christian follows the word of GOD, not of man.
Anytime , we leave Gods word and rely on mans interpretation, we have complicated matters.
Man is selfish and self important and will complicate matters to his or her own thoughts. Gods word remains constant and unchanging.
As for me and my house, we will follow Jesus Christs teachings, not mans
2007-10-30 15:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by cindy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No problem.
A true Christian is one who has God's Spirit indwelling.
Now the next logical question is, how do we know who has God's Spirit and who does not?
The answer if found in Galatians, for starters.
.
2007-10-30 15:39:29 · answer #8 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found (and one glaring example very recently), that those that profess to be "True Christians" as nothing but self righteous hypocrites. The normal everyday Christians that go about their own business and try to help others (All others not just those that go to their church), are the true version and I hope find their heaven.
2007-10-30 15:35:07 · answer #9 · answered by LimeyinAmerica 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A true Christian is a person who lives and believes according the the Word and follows Christ to the best of his or her ability.
And a true Christian may disagree with another true Christian on a fundamental doctrine but the key is that they respect each other and continue investigating Scriptures for the Truth.
The distinction is kinda elementary really, but one can only be a Christian (true) if he is saved and a member of the body.
2007-10-30 15:33:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋