What is your definition of "Christian"

[jddlwlr]

I was just wondering how you guys define "christian". i know that lots of people say that they are christians but they dont act like it at all, you know they just seem to say it just so that you will think that they are "good". so just post what you define a christian as.

[Curious]

I believe the definition of a Christian is someone who follows the teachings and example of Jesus. Much that is taught as Christianity today is really what others say about Jesus, not actually what Jesus said. Jesus said that we should have one teacher, the Christ, but many seem to follow the teachings of Paul with far more fervour than those of Jesus.

[ALXXGAXX]

Christianity is: "Christ follower".
Jesus came to save humankind and to bring us salvation, since he was in a human form he couldn't be everywhere at the same time, so he chose apostles to preach salvation to everyone. So, as a Christian we have a task to do the same as Jesus did.

[Pujitos]

I like the love concept... love is the fulfillment of the law, and the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another.
but I think the love come cause you're a Christian i.e. a follower of Christ. You don't love and therefore that makes you a Christian - although the two are inextricably linked.

[gonkm]

I think a Christian should be a Christ Follower. But the term Christian can become problematic. Some people call people Christians just because they're "good", which makes the meaning of the word Christian meaningless. Others say that when a person is known to have sinned, they are no longer a "true christian". But we all make mistakes and have to repent, and only God knows who has and who hasn't. So for practicality's sake, I would think the term Christian should be used for those who believe in Jesus, his teachings, that the resurrection is literally true and that he is the "Way, the Truth and the Life, and nobody gets to the father except through Him".

I think a true follower of Christ is one who loves both God and others. But judging who does/doesn't do so is really up to God.

[Deqsan]

Hello to my brothers and sisters in the Lord,

I am new to this forum, so may I introduce myself, by definition I am the Lord's, not by works lest I should boast, but by the all atoning blood of my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, 'Jehovah my Righteousness'. Many testimonies start with 'I', my testimony starts with 'He', He sought me when still a stranger, dead in trespasses and sin, He opened my blind eyes, and unstopped my deaf ears, so that I could hear and see Him through, first the preaching of the word and then reading His word, by the working of the Holy Spirit He convicted me of my sin and my need of a Saviour, at the age of 17.
I am from Wales (UK) I am 46 years old, but more importantly, 29 years young in the Lord! (Although He knew me before the foundation of the world!). I look forward to entering into debates, I trust I have answered the question raised in this debate.

[windy]

I was just wondering how you guys define "christian". i know that lots of people say that they are christians but they dont act like it at all, you know they just seem to say it just so that you will think that they are "good". so just post what you define a christian as.

I like to think of christians as children of God
The term christian was first used as a derogatory description of a follower of christ; that was later adopted by christ-ians to desribe themselves.
'Children' describes us perfectly; when we learn to walk the christian walk; we fall and sometimes get hurt.
We have tantrums because we cant get our own way,
Put ourselves in the way of danger until we learn better.
Our own children don't seem to have any of our traits as the 'terrible two's' kick in.
As teenagers we rebel and turn away from everything we know to be good and true.
Its easy to look at someone and say'They cant be christian, look at what they do' but GOD hasn't finished with them yet.
We are all rough diamonds waiting to be polished.
We are all GOD'S children growing up, (some like me the hard way)
We don't seem to have any of our HEAVENLY FATHERS traits at times,
but we are learning to walk, he hasn't finished with any of us yet

[FiredUp4jesus]

Personally I wish that Christians (myself included) would put more discipline in their discipleship. I love the fact that Jesus is our Teacher, Master, and Lord. So, I guess to answer the question, people who are willing to endure the discipline of the Holy Spirit, subjugate themselves to Christ, and strive to emulate His example are Christians. To me there is a vast difference between this kind of behavior, and simply knowing that Jesus is God. Eventually everyone will know that.

[Aqualung]

I was just wondering how you guys define "christian". i know that lots of people say that they are christians but they dont act like it at all, you know they just seem to say it just so that you will think that they are "good". so just post what you define a christian as.

I think it's somebody who thinks Jesus is the Christ, our Saviour.

[Sleepy]

I look first to the conversation between Jesus and the criminals on the cross.

From the NIV - Luke 23

First criminal to Jesus - Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!
Second criminal to the first criminal - Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.
Second criminal to Jesus - Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus to the second criminal - I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.

The beautiful simplicity of this conversation, the undeniable outcome and the depth of theology is wonderfully summarised.