True Christians?

Question

Can anyone explain to me (without being condescending) why some Christians think they can define what being Christian is? I have always thought a Christian is someone who believes Christ is the one and only path to salvation, yet I have heard these people claim groups that believe this way don't classify as Christian.

Answer 1

"True Christians" is the most overused expression of all-time

Answer 2

To me, a "True Christian" is someone who follows the teachings of Christ. There are a lot of differences amongst Christians because as individuals we all have different personalities, life experiences and "missions" to accomplish. some also interpret scriptures differently but the main message, to love God and your neighbor is basic. So, even though some might baptize differently or whatever is irrelevant. It is what is in your heart that matters.

Now, sometimes I am asked about someone like Fred Phelps who calls himself Christian but does not follow the teachings of Christ. A couple months ago I read a few questions claiming that Hitler was a Christian and that is completely absurd.

There are many fine Christian men and women from all denominations and walks of life. But sadly enough, there are a lot of people who call themselves Christian for political reasons but do not live up to Christ's teachings. Fortunately, it is not my job to judge anyone. That is God's job. It is however important for me to know the difference.

Answer 3

A true Christian is someone that has been born-again. The proof that they are born-again is the indwelling of the believer with the Holy Spirit. It does not matter what denomination you are or if you don't go to church at all. If a person does not have the Holy Spirit living within them then they are not true Christians. There are many people in all denominations that are not true Christians.

Answer 4

I think that what people mean by this is salvific faith vs. mental assent. Lots of people who don't do *anything* else 'religious' say that they are Christians because they believe in Jesus. I'm not trying to say that people need to go to church or read their Bibles to be Christians --- Christianity really *is* about trusting in Jesus for salvation. That trust does result in a heart change, though, that produces an interest in the things of God and a desire to be like Christ. Anything else is mere mental assent.

This is what the book of James says about real faith --- which produces works --- vs. mental assent:

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Again --- works do not save us according to scripture. But *real* faith does produce works, because in reality, works are just faith with legs, if that makes sense.

The other component of this is that many groups claim to be Christians but deny some very central tenets of the faith. That Jesus came in the flesh, that He is God, that He was born of a virgin, that He was bodily resurrected. The Bible itself marks these out clearly as ways to tell whether a person is believing in the Christ preached in the Bible or something else entirely.

I think that Christians are wrong when they try to judge an individual as to whether or not he is a Christian. No one knows another person's heart like that --- I'd say that we barely know our *own* hearts, they are so complicated. I leave God to judge that and consequently I don't use terms like 'true Christian'. But since scripture does say clearly what a Christian is and what one isn't, I can understand why some do.

Answer 5

True Christians are different from Christians in that they actually do follow the Christ's teachings faithfully without adding in men's deceptive beliefs to the mix.

Believing Christ is the only way to salvation is true BUT when they add teachings of men like "sure these things have a pagan origin, but we aren't using them that way. It's alright. It's all good."

The Bible plainly states God has no patience with mixing pure worship with false. He wants pure untainted worship. This is even deserving a sentence of death at times even to the next generation of those bringing in unclean worship. (Zeph. 1:4-6) Haggai in chapter 2 goes into detail asking the priests about clean and unclean things hoping they could understand the unclean worship they permitted would not be tolerated by God.

Jesus knew then just as today "it is in vain they keep worshiping me (talking about his Father) because they teach commands of men as doctrine." (Matt.15:9)

Titus wrote in Titus 1:16, "they publicly say they know God but disown Him by their works."

So many people call themselves Christians who are not true Christians. They would certainly be known by their works. As Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruitages or works of the spirit that true Christians would live by or demonstrate in daily lives. Principally, this would include speaking in agreement and having love among themselves.

How many Christians participate in wars killing members of their same religions on the other side? Is that love among themselves? How many religions speak in agreement with no divisions? Here in the US South, in the same stretch of road there will be 3 churches with the same religion all teaching 3 different ways or they broke up because one group could not stand the preacher. Is that being in agreement with no divisions?

Answer 6

A true christian is a sincere christ-like bible christian. Note that merely claiming Jesus is the way but not following him is not the "belief" that God wants from us. You can intelectually believe that Jesus is the way, but to believe in him as God wants is to be follow his example.

Answer 7

I thought that the word christian, meant christ-like.

Answer 8

People read the Bible differently, and get different direction from it as a result. If you have read the Bible, you would understand that it is so awkwardly written, and the lessons so obtuse, that it is impossible fro two people to read it independently and derive anything similar from it.

Answer 9

Beats me. I leave all that up to Christ. He knows and He will sort us out.

Answer 10

It's like Real Americans (tm).