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lyndon Member
Joined: 2003/12/8 Posts: 65 Manitoba, Canada
| What does it mean to be a Christian? | | Hi
I'm just looking for peoples personal thoughts on this subject, I do not want to hear Leonard Ravenhill or Calvin's thoughts, but your own personal thoughts according to scripture. What does it mean to be a Christian? How do we know we are Christians?
The reason I am asking this is I've been reading some of the posts, and I am begining to wonder what constitutes being a Christian. A certain behavior or a certain belief, a set of '4 spiritual laws' and praying the 'sinners prayer'?
A Work in Progress Lyndon |
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2003/12/13 22:09 | Profile |
lwpray Member
Joined: 2003/6/22 Posts: 3318 Sweden
| Re: What does it mean to be a Christian? | |
To be a Christian: To have been made spiritually alive, not mentally attached, spiritually alive to the eternal purposes of Heaven. L. W.
_________________ Lars Widerberg
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2003/12/14 4:04 | Profile |
philologos Member
Joined: 2003/7/18 Posts: 6566 Reading, UK
| Re: What does it mean to be a Christian? | | As the Bible only seems to use the word 'Christian' in the sense of an accusation it inevitably poses the old question If you were brought to trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?
_________________ Ron Bailey
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2003/12/14 6:47 | Profile |
lwpray Member
Joined: 2003/6/22 Posts: 3318 Sweden
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If you were brought to trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Provoking indeed, isn't it?!
_________________ Lars Widerberg
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2003/12/14 7:06 | Profile |
JPmissionary Member
Joined: 2003/12/5 Posts: 3 Wake Forest, NC
| Re: | | I believe to be a Christian it would mean to put on Christ, become more Christ like, all which we learn how to do from the Bible and Christ that dwells in us. |
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2003/12/15 3:49 | Profile |
philologos Member
Joined: 2003/7/18 Posts: 6566 Reading, UK
| Re: What does it mean to be a Christian? | | Hi Lyndon One of the difficulties in defining 'Christian' is that 'Christian' is not the word generally used in scripture to define 'Christian. If you see what I mean.
The more usual words are 'believer' and 'saint', with 'believer' being a participle which implies process rather than crisis. In other words the Bible 'describes' Christians by their characteristics. 'Christian'ity is therefore is not primarily a 'belief system' nor a 'moral code' (although it has both). It is a relationship of total dependence on another which is manifested by the life of the other being seen with increasing clarity. Its focus is life rather than birth.
Just to be even more pedantic. 'Christian' is a noun, so I will not use it as an adjective. So I never think in terms of 'Christian politicians', 'Christian business men' etc. This affects quite a bit of my thinking e.g. I do believe you can have a Jewish Christian, but not a Christian Jew. _________________ Ron Bailey
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2003/12/15 4:37 | Profile |
almondBranch Member
Joined: 2003/10/6 Posts: 91 Tralee, Ireland
| Re: | | Quote:
'Christian' is a noun, so I will not use it as an adjective
Quite true, I might also say that it is a noun that needs no adjective to accompany it. (or should need none anyway). :-D
As Watchman Nee relates:
Quote:
I met a certain believer once on a train who asked me what kind of Christian I was. I replied that I was just a Christian. He said, "There is no such Christian in the world. Saying that you are a Christian means nothing; you have to say what kind of Christian you are in order for it to be meaningful." I replied, "I am simply a man who is a Christian. Do you say that for a man to be a Christian means nothing? What kind of Christian would you say is meaningful? As for me, I can only be a Christiannothing more." That day we had a very good talk together.
_________________ Stuart
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2003/12/15 5:32 | Profile |
lwpray Member
Joined: 2003/6/22 Posts: 3318 Sweden
| Re: What does it mean to be a Christian? | |
A Christian: A space-time display of the work of the Cross for the sake of demonstrating the Holiness of God. L. W.
_________________ Lars Widerberg
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2003/12/15 5:37 | Profile |
sermonindex Moderator
Joined: 2002/12/11 Posts: 39795 Canada
Online! | Re: | | Quote:
but your own personal thoughts according to scripture. What does it mean to be a Christian? How do we know we are Christians?
I feel that by reading the 'Gospel of John' you can come to a knoweldge of the truth and become a Christian:
[b]John 20:31 (niv)[/b] - But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is hte Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
And in the book of '1 John' the message is written that you may become and Christian and also know that you are a Christian.
[b]1 John 5:13 (niv)[/b] - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. _________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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2003/12/15 10:45 | Profile |
lwpray Member
Joined: 2003/6/22 Posts: 3318 Sweden
| Re: What does it mean to be a Christian? | |
A Christian: Walking in light and fellowship with God far beyond doctrinal acknowledgment. L. W.
_________________ Lars Widerberg
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2003/12/15 11:00 | Profile |