Who is a Christian?? !!

[oldbadger]

Before Covid I used to cycle around my local area and would visit chapels and churches which held tea'n'chat meetings. On one occasion I passed a Christian hall and saw a poster which read something like 'soup and chat', and I walked inside just as the event was commencing. A long table was set and many mid-aged and elderly folks sat around; I was guided to a place.

A very stern lady across the table fixed me in her gaze and an interrogation began:-
Who are you?
Hello I'm oldbadger.
Why have you come here?
I wanted to meet you, and the soup is interesting.
How did you know about this meeting?
I saw a big poster outside.
Do you walk in to any place because of posters?
Yes..... I often do.
Where else have you just walked in to?
Oh, lots of places. The Methodist church holds tea/biscuit meets on Saturday mornings.
She grunted what sounded like disapproval. I mentioned a few other meetings and then the room erupted.
I said....
Oh, and the Christian Spiritualists in T--------- offering healing and tea on Mondays at 1.30pm.

This stern lady exploded.
They are not Christians! They worship the Devil! All these evil people who pretend to be Christians...... Jesus warned us about you all! And that disgusting Halloween...... ............ well this carried on for minutes until she could be calmed down.

This has happened many times....... I once mentioned that we have JW Christian friends and we are pleased to let them park on our driveway when visiting homes in the area, and several Christians immediately pointed out that JWs are different, or not proper Christians......

There are many many differing churches and creeds, and so I wonder....... who is a proper Christian?

[oldbadger]

I would think that the Bible would be the source to tell who is a Christian. Many say it's the Word of God, so shouldn't the One that gave the name also shape the critreria for who is truly Christian?

OK, not that I can be sure of who is a Christian from your post. Some people claim that every word in the Bible is the word of God, but how could I know from that direction?

Over several years I have heard one denomination tell me that other churches are not Christian...... how would I know?

[oldbadger]

..... who is a proper Christian?

In the Bible a Christian means a disciple of Jesus and I think Jesus is the best to answer to define who is his disciple.

It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

Next time someone says that "they are not Christians", ask from him/her, is he/she a disciple of Jesus. I recommend to go with those who are disciple of Jesus and know what it means.

...........'and know what it means'........?
Am I getting this right, that for a person to claim that they are a disciple vof Jesus is not enough?
So the question begs:- 'What does that mean?'. I am a Deist.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to oldbadger in post #11]

Would you agree that a Christian would be a person that tries to follow Christ? Isn't the Bible the only place we know of the details on what to follow? If a church or an individual was not following the ways of the Christ could they be called Christ's followers?

How about I give just one of many examples from the Bible of what a follower of Christ should be doing.
“By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”—John 13:35.

How many individuals and churches would immediately be disqualified as being Christian because they don't follow what is written in John 13:35?

[theophile]

Whoever it is, I don't think their Christianity is defined by church or creed.

Hello theophile and thanks for your post.

And so....can I ask, how would you define a Christian? What would they be like?

I think other posters have captured the short of it: it's following Jesus' example. If Jesus is the head then Christians are those who have become other members of the same body. United with the same purpose and will that Jesus exhibits.

If we look at what that is, I think we could summarize it by servanthood. To be Christian is to serve God and all of the life that is around us (whom God serves).

[1213]

...
Am I getting this right, that for a person to claim that they are a disciple vof Jesus is not enough?
...

As Jesus said in previous post, person is truly a disciple of Jesus, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.".

[oldbadger]

As Jesus said in previous post, person is truly a disciple of Jesus, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.".

That phrase....... 'If you remain in my word.....'
But Jesus said many words, and it is possible for humanity to interpret those words in different ways, which must cause some friction amongst Christians.

For example, look at these words:-
Mark {4:18} And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, {4:19} And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

or....

Mark {10:23} And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

or.....

Mark {10:25} It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

I have read about Jesus's disciples gleaning for food from fields, and generally using the poor laws of Moses, and commenting upon unreasonable poverty and wicked richness, so does this mean that folks who gather mammon are not Christians, not remaining in the word of Jesus?

[tam]

Peace to you,

[Replying to oldbadger in post #1]

There are many many differing churches and creeds, and so I wonder....... who is a proper Christian?

A Christian is a disciple of Christ who is also anointed with holy spirit.

A person can start out as a disciple of Christ without yet being Christian (an anointed one). Just as the apostles were disciples first, and then made Christians (anointed ones) by Christ, when He breathed holy spirit upon them (John 20:22). So that a Christian is both a disciple of Christ and an anointed one (anointed with holy spirit, which is the breath/blood/seed of JAH). Even the word Christian comes from the word Christ (meaning anointed one).


Christ is also the One who chooses. We are not Christian just because we say so (anyone can say so), but rather we are Christian if Christ has chosen us, anointed us with holy spirit, and therefore, made us Christian. That anointing is the same baptism that John the Baptist spoke of when he spoke of the baptism of holy spirit that Christ would perform (Mark 1:7, 8).


Following men (even if they claim to be Christian) is a good way to be misled, and perhaps even fall into a pit. If you wish to follow Christ, if you love Him and wish to serve Him and His Father, then just keep your eyes upon Him. Listen to Him, remain in His word, hold all things up to Him (the Light, the Truth). Worry less about what "Sally" or "Joe" are doing (or are not), and instead YOU follow Christ. Leave the rest to Him.

John 14:21, 23:

"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."


Peace again to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

[oldbadger]

Peace to you,

A Christian is a disciple of Christ who is also anointed with holy spirit.

A person can start out as a disciple of Christ without yet being Christian (an anointed one). Just as the apostles were disciples first, and then made Christians (anointed ones) by Christ, when He breathed holy spirit upon them (John 20:22). So that a Christian is both a disciple of Christ and an anointed one (anointed with holy spirit, which is the breath/blood/seed of JAH). Even the word Christian comes from the word Christ (meaning anointed one).


Christ is also the One who chooses. We are not Christian just because we say so (anyone can say so), but rather we are Christian if Christ has chosen us, anointed us with holy spirit, and therefore, made us Christian. That anointing is the same baptism that John the Baptist spoke of when he spoke of the baptism of holy spirit that Christ would perform (Mark 1:7, 8).


Following men (even if they claim to be Christian) is a good way to be misled, and perhaps even fall into a pit. If you wish to follow Christ, if you love Him and wish to serve Him and His Father, then just keep your eyes upon Him. Listen to Him, remain in His word, hold all things up to Him (the Light, the Truth). Worry less about what "Sally" or "Joe" are doing (or are not), and instead YOU follow Christ. Leave the rest to Him.

John 14:21, 23:

"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."


Peace again to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

Thank you for your post, tammy.

[1213]

...
I have read about Jesus's disciples gleaning for food from fields, and generally using the poor laws of Moses, and commenting upon unreasonable poverty and wicked richness, so does this mean that folks who gather mammon are not Christians, not remaining in the word of Jesus?

I understand the meaning is, if person remain in word of Jesus, he remains in his teachings, meaning he keeps them and don't replace them with someone else's teachings. It does not necessary mean the person manages to live perfectly by them, but even if he fails, he thinks they are good and wants to keep the teaching and to live by them.

And therefore, getting riches is not necessary wrong, if the riches become more important than truth and love, I think that is the problem. That is how I have understood it. If you disagree and are a disciple of Jesus, I think you should remain loyal to Jesus rather than to me.

[JehovahsWitness]

Since a Christian is someone following the teachings of Christ, if you want to find the religion that does that, one would have to familiarize themselves with the teachings of Christ as set out i the bible.

1. An organised religion with an identifable church that meet regularly.
2. Accept the entire bible canon and hold faithfully to its teachings and principles.
3. Be politically neutral and never under any circumstances participate in wars.
4. All member publically preach the gospel of the kingdom.
5. Give prominently place (say and use) the personal name of God as (pronounced in the local language).
6. Be known for high morals that reflect bible standards.

FURTHER READING: How can I find the true religion?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... -religion/

JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

To read more please go to other posts related to...

RELIGION, CHRISTIANITY and ...CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS