How do you tell who a "true" Christian is?

Question

OK, we've all seen so many believers say "so and so" are not "true" Christians, even though they say they are.

So what is your criteria? How do you know who a "true" Christian is?

If no one agrees on the same criteria, how can we trust anyone to judge anyone else?

Should we rely on the opinion of the believer?

Should we go with consensus?

Thoughts?

Answer 1

There is no consensus on that.

The whole "Catholics aren't Christians" argument is one such example.

Even people who think they can judge who is and is not a "true" Christian, change their definition to suit their purposes.

When it comes time to determine weather or not America is a Christian Nation, then anyone who ever said "God Bless you" is counted as a Christian.

If there is another debate, then suddenly the definition of "true Christian" becomes much narrower.

Answer 2

Go with what you believe. You have listened to many definitions and sides Trust your own mind. Maybe don't worry so much if they are a 'true Christian', but are a good person you want to be in your life, who will be a positive force, not a negative one.

Otherwise I would say
1. Believes in Christ
2. Kind
3. Selfless
4. Trustworthy
4. Giving
5. Not judgemental or mean
6. Not perfect, but genuine

In the end only God can judge and know.

Answer 3

You can tell my their deeds, actions, and the life they live. You should be able to just say..."That person demonstrates themselves in a loving, kind, caring, Christ like way". Paul states in Galatians 5:22-23 criteria you can use to judge a True Christian by...this is none as the Fruits of the Spirit.

Answer 4

Catholics are the original Christians, while all others departed from the Church and rejected things insitituted by JESUS - which departure in no way ministers anything but evil

To me, it's the one true faith because it's the only one where the God of all the universe came to earth and became human, so that humans could become more like him. It's the one true faith to me because I know something ineffable in my heart.

Check out Scott Hahn. He was an Evangelical Presbyterian Minister...he was sure all Catholics were going to hell and he was out to save them. In doing so...the more he studied and read books trying to prove them wrong, the more he realized how right they are. He is now Catholic and goes around teaching and preaching the Catholic faith. He's amazing to listen to because he knows all verses Protestants will use and can address and disprove every one of them.

He wrote a book called Rome Sweet Home. It's his conversion story. Type his name in Google...you'll get a lot of information.

Also, check out The Coming Home Network. This is group of Protestant pastors and clergy who have become Catholic. Some amazing stories.

Answer 5

i think of it relies upon on the way it develop into conveyed to you. If some Christian comes as much as you in my view and says you will rot in hell considering the fact which you're an atheist then i might say that's erroneous. yet once you hear a Christian instructor/preacher conversing approximately damnation and how unbelievers will perish, then they're faithfully preaching from God's notice on account that's what it says no count number if or not we like it. As a Christian we've the job to evangelise the comprehensive suggestions of God no count number if or not we accept as true with the message. yet why might you care considering the fact that Christianity on your attitude isn't real and God isn't genuine?

Answer 6

Well, because I'm not some smart genius and I don't rape the bible regularly, I'm just gonna go ahead and say what I think.

Anyway, I think a "true" Christian is someone who doesn't go around, Jesus-bumming etc., and is full of hypocritical crap. It's someone who does things for other people and doesn't lie or steal etc. Basically a good hearted person who doesn't necessarily read the bible or go to Church but, well I dunno;D

Answer 7

I don't think the church recognizes that there are spiritual miscarraiges so to speak. If we can be "born again" it stands to reason some people who "accept christ" with their lips did not believe in their heart (which man cannot see the heart) and therefore.........they did not get born again! IT's much like getting "pregnant".......when the seed of God takes root in a person. there has to be fertility (ready heart, willing mind) and the seed of God's word in place. The church wants to believe everyone who says they are Christian is a Christian........maybe so they get the financial donations I dont know.......but that is between them and God and they will face him for their actions someday if they didn't really "care" if people were truly saved or not. I have a hard time with the Catholic church because much of the hateful stuff that has happened has been from Catholics......or supposed Catholics who think they are saved because they go to the Catholic church and have someone say they are saved. Below is a passage to help you determine who is who. :)

1 John
Sin and the Child of God

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
The Imperative of Love

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Answer 8

A true Christian would never blaspheme the Holy Spirit. A true Christian always has the influence of the Holy Spirit.

If you trusted the Holy Spirit, He would tell you the truth.

Once you know the truth, you are inseparable from it.

Answer 9

There is no "true" Christian, since to be Christian one must follow Jesus' example, and so far I have seen no Christian that has been celebrant, turned the other cheek, fasted for 40 days, or anything that He told them to do, so no, there are no "true" Christians, only those people who are so high and mighty that they think they can say someone is not a true Christian, whilst claiming they themselves are.

I hope this helps! ^_^

Answer 10

The source of this answer is only the Holy Bible. A true Christian is one who imitates Christ's actions, i.e. his belief. In order to imitate Christ, one must believe in him. The bible says you are forgiven if you believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he was born and lived and died for our sins. If you do this, YOU ARE a Christian.
One note: Christians are not perfect people. We ARE NOT without sin. We still have human flaws like non christians. It's because of these flaws, that God sent his only son to pay for our sins. It's because we believe that we are forgiven.