What makes a Christian?

Question

What does it really mean to become a Christian? Is it inherited? Is it a way of living?
I am a Mexican-american and tipically was born in a catholic home, therefore we worshipped the 'Virgin Marie' and all sorts of saints including Jesus Christ. We called ourselves Christians. I developed a need to read the bible and I found lots of things that I personally didn't like about our worshipping habits. We worshipped idols, we prayed saying the same thing over and over like the model prayer and the rosarie. Then I asked myself what is a real Christian? The bible never says about Jesus worshipping saints or idols. He never even said it was ok to worship him or his mother. In fact he specifically said that there was only one who deserved ALL the Glory, his Father. That's why ask this sorry it's so long but I was confused, and I want to see if anyone had the same problem.

Answer 1

A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

It is a way of living... I am a born-again christina with a distinct word "born again" not literally to die and born once more but to our spirits to die in sin.

To be a Christian is to accept Christ as your one and only savior. For us full gospel really matters! meaning all must be biblical based. I had the same questions before I was a catholic practicing the same things. but which is more important? the inherited values or the one that is written in the bible. Then, I weighed them.

In exodus 20:3-6 :You shall have no other gods before [a] me.

4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

This lines trully mean that He is the only one to worshipped, No Mary , St. Peter or whatsover. We only worship the God, who is immortal.

To be a christian is following the living made by Jesus Christ, that is why it is called Christian life and it means Christians believe that all people should strive to follow Christ's commands and example in their everyday actions (Romans 13:14).

Now that you know that there is something wrong, it's about time to think... It is written. In Deuteronomy 4:2 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

Answer 3

I guess your family grows Christianism as a way of life or a tradition already, reading a Bible alone without a guide from a priest or a lay from your church could prove dangerous , and thats what `s happening to you now. In a Bible there are lot of verses that is not explained openly or has a very deep meaning , especially riddles uses by Christ, it should be explained well by the priest .You should enroll to study catechism , when its a basic before you receive the first Communion . I would assure you that once you incounter and know God there would be no denying that your life would be without doubt but only happiness and progress, God Bless you!

Answer 4

A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah. Anyone can be a Christian. They just have to Jesus into their hearts and accept His free gift of salvation. We do only worship God the Father, but Jesus is God. Its hard to explain on here, so you should keep reading the Bible and talk to other Christians.

Answer 5

If Christians knew what a real Christian was there wouldn't be so many denominations.

BTW - Catholics don't worship idols. You may have practiced this or been taught this but its not an officially accepted part of the Catholic Christianity. Also, Catholic Christians don't pray to saints. They ask saints to pray for them (...pray for us sinners...). Its the same as asking a friend or relative to pray for you. It sounds to me as though your religious education was warped and incomplete. It also sounds like you're under the influence of Catholic haters -- people who claim Catholics aren't Christians and spread lies about them. You need to do some independent study. God will lead you to the truth.

Answer 6

Folowing the biblical plan of salvation. Repentance, baptism in Jesus name(specifically), Getting the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues as God gives the utterance. It's in Acts 2:38-9. It's very simple! After that you must live a holy life and endure to the end.

Answer 7

A real Christian? That's always a tough one - remember Jesus warned us that "not every one who said Lord, Lord would enter into the kingdom of heaven" - implying that plenty of people who called themselves Christians and called Him Lord would not be saved.

Jesus also said that only those who did the will of His Father in heaven would be saved; and later in First John we learn the will of God is to believe on His Son and love one another as He has commanded us.

In short - I don't have the first frigging clue what makes a real Christian - but I hope He does, and by His grace I trust that will be sufficient for me!!

Answer 8

Try to read a lot of different world religions before deciding, "what makes a Christian" and seek a common voice. REad the western Bible also and really pray. but take some very quiet time to just meditate and ponder. Ask God, the Universal Mind, to guide you in the process and reveal all knowledge to you. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.." Christian: a Follower of Christ - now you have to find out what interpretation of Christ you will follow. "In the last days, Many will come in my name..." so be careful. The Catholic Church was not separate from the Roman government during the evolution of the church, thus Wars resulted, persecution resulted... Jesus hoped for Unity in the Church. I think that this is the only Miracle of Christ that has not come true yet, but someday will. Remember, God is inherent in all men, so if you quiet yourself and seek him, you will find him. "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find". Following God is not like having a Jeanie in a bottle and if you do everything just right you will get the result. that is the problem of many organized religions. "go and say this and that and these statements and you will be forgiven" - not true. Jesus said, Your Faith has made you well. As you believe, so you will recieve. --- Be careful of the power of your words and be kind to others and ask God to reveal Himself to you. Keep your mind open, avoid cults in the name of Jesus or anyone else that is so dogmatic and exclusive and find things out by "Go to your inner room and pray in secret to your Father in Heaven who sees you in secret. and when you pray, do not be like the gentiles with many words.... and pray the Lords prayer first and then just meditate on the sound of God. AH. I AM.

Answer 9

The real Christian is believing in God and assepting Christ as your Savoir and then walking in your faith. I know what you mean. my dad was a catholic when he was little and my gramma is one. dad says the problem with catholic is praying to all the saints. but really Christ dying made it possible for use to talk to him so really all we need to do is pray to Jesus derectly. If you have any quations email me and we could discuse it more.

Answer 10

I'm confused about my spirituality all the time.
basicly, what I believe makes a christian is someone who asked Jesus to be their savior and cleanse them of their sins.
I became a Christian when I was 5 and I think it went something like this:
"Dear jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that without you I would go to Hell. Please wash away my sins and make me a child of your's
Amen"
So you see? Maybe a little little-kiddish, but hey, I was 5.
The basic idea is that we all sin, and we all are unworthy of God's love. But he sent his son to die for us anyway. When Jesus was nailed to that old wooden cross, he took all the sins of the world on himself. Even yours, even mine. In doing that he extended a gift to you.
The gift of Being with him in Heaven for all of eternity. All you have to do is take the gift.
Taking hte Gift by repenting, admitting that you are a sinner and you need the help of God. Asking him to save you and forgive you of your sins.
it makes me exited just talking about it.
I have some great material that might help you understand a little better than my little sermon.

For example, your Bible, I would love to share some verses with you!
Best of Luck!