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p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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#96,581
Socreta93

Socreta93

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If you're a Christian, being mean and throwing insults at each other because "left/right bad" is not showing a good example of a follower of Christ. Just pray and hope Christ is in control of everything.
 
B

Burn1986

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Some of these goofy posters have to be told “If you see a pool with sharks in it, don’t jump in”
Their reply is always, “May I ask what scripture you’re basing that on?”
I will try and say, “Look, I don’t have a specific scripture, but trust me on this one…”
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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Magenta

Magenta

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stephen767 said:
This scripture is a bit confusing. I can understand being a sweet savour of Christ if we are
saved, but how are we a sweet savour of Christ if we perish? Please explain. Thank you.
Click to expand...
We are as a sweet savor to both others who are saved, and unto those who are as yet lost?

I do not see it as saying the lost are a sweet savor... at all.
 
ChocolateSheep

ChocolateSheep

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Ah! The perfect thread for a very debatable question! (Or maybe the answer is obvious, and I'm just too oblivious to know the answer)

Can somebody tell me what defines a Christian? Because it seems to me that everyone who uses the words "God" and "Jesus" can easily be defined as a Christian. Or is that ALL we need to do besides believing Jesus exists? Can a person be a Christian just by going to Church? Are they still Christians even if their lifestyle supports the things he despise? Can ANYONE be a Christian as long as they accepted Jesus into their heart at some point in their life? Does having a Bible automatically make one a Christian? This is something I would very much like to know.
 
Magenta

Magenta

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ChocolateSheep said:
Ah! The perfect thread for a very debatable question! (Or maybe the answer is obvious, and I'm just too oblivious to know the answer)

Can somebody tell me what defines a Christian? Because it seems to me that everyone who uses the words "God" and "Jesus" can easily be defined as a Christian. Or is that ALL we need to do besides believing Jesus exists? Can a person be a Christian just by going to Church? Are they still Christians even if their lifestyle supports the things he despise? Can ANYONE be a Christian as long as they accepted Jesus into their heart at some point in their life? Does having a Bible automatically make one a Christian? This is something I would very much like to know.
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People use the words "God" and "Jesus" as swear/curse words/profanity. That does not make them Christian. Believing Jesus walked this world? No. Many atheistic historians, for instance, affirm that Jesus did indeed exist, while denying any supernatural aspects such as miracles and claims to Divinity. Going to church does not make one a Christian either. Many are born into a religious family who depart the faith. They may call it backsliding if they return to the faith at some later point, but it is just as likely they never truly believed in the first place.
 
ChocolateSheep

ChocolateSheep

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Magenta said:
People use the words "God" and "Jesus" as swear/curse words/profanity. That does not make them Christian. Believing Jesus walked this world? No. Many atheistic historians, for instance, affirm that Jesus did indeed exist, while denying any supernatural aspects such as miracles and claims to Divinity. Going to church does not make one a Christian either. Many are born into a religious family who depart the faith. They may call it backsliding if they return to the faith at some later point, but it is just as likely they never truly believed in the first place.
Click to expand...
I like your answer. But that brings up another question I have.

Let's say a person was never baptized in their life, nor do they attend any churches. However, they still believe Jesus existed, believed all the miracles that he performed, and that he died for our sins, pray to God in Jesus' name, and even try to follow Christ's doctrine and examples to the best of their ability. Would that person still be considered a Christian, even though they were never Baptized, nor attend any churches?
 
B

Burn1986

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Mar 4, 2024
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ChocolateSheep said:
Ah! The perfect thread for a very debatable question! (Or maybe the answer is obvious, and I'm just too oblivious to know the answer)

Can somebody tell me what defines a Christian? Because it seems to me that everyone who uses the words "God" and "Jesus" can easily be defined as a Christian. Or is that ALL we need to do besides believing Jesus exists? Can a person be a Christian just by going to Church? Are they still Christians even if their lifestyle supports the things he despise? Can ANYONE be a Christian as long as they accepted Jesus into their heart at some point in their life? Does having a Bible automatically make one a Christian? This is something I would very much like to know.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s become pretty watered down.
 
Magenta

Magenta

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ChocolateSheep said:
I like your answer. But that brings up another question I have.

Let's say a person was never baptized in their life, nor do they attend any churches. However, they still believe Jesus existed, believed all the miracles that he performed, and that he died for our sins, pray to God in Jesus' name, and even try to follow Christ's doctrine and examples to the best of their ability. Would that person still be considered a Christian, even though they were never Baptized, nor attend any churches?
Click to expand...
Earthly water does not make one a Christian. Being sprinkled as an infant, or dunked as an adult, does not accomplish that, either. Some do believe baptism is what cleanses us, but I believe Scripture teaches that we are washed in the blood of the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world by grace through faith in His shed righteous blood, that we may be reconciled to God, and attain to life ever after. All others suffer the second everlasting death. Many Scriptures speak to this using different words, for instance, one verse in Titus says He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Another in Ephesians: Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.… And Ezekiel: Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. It is God Who cleanses us, as we submit to Him. Have you read the New Testament?
 
GaryA

GaryA

Truth, Honesty, Love, Courage
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Aug 10, 2019
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#96,597
ChocolateSheep said:
Ah! The perfect thread for a very debatable question! (Or maybe the answer is obvious, and I'm just too oblivious to know the answer)

Can somebody tell me what defines a Christian? Because it seems to me that everyone who uses the words "God" and "Jesus" can easily be defined as a Christian. Or is that ALL we need to do besides believing Jesus exists? Can a person be a Christian just by going to Church? Are they still Christians even if their lifestyle supports the things he despise? Can ANYONE be a Christian as long as they accepted Jesus into their heart at some point in their life? Does having a Bible automatically make one a Christian? This is something I would very much like to know.
Click to expand...
If we separate for a moment whether you are a Christian from the idea of being a Christian (living the life of a Christian)...

What defines a Christian - whether you are a Christian - is one singular thing - whether or not you are 'born-again'. If you are born-again (and, have the Holy Spirit of God within you), then you are "saved" and are a Christian. If not, then you are neither.

Everything else - baptism, etc. - is a separate issue...
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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ChocolateSheep said:
I highly agree with you. But still, it couldn't hurt to have a solid foundation of what a Christian is supposed to be.
Click to expand...
The term "Christian" was first used in Antioch

AD 4
According to historical records, the first use of the term “Christian” was in the Syrian city of Antioch around AD 4The name “Christian” was likely derived from the Greek word “christos,” meaning “anointed one,” which was used to refer to Jesus Christ.
Unveiling the Origin of Christianity: Where Did The Term Christian ...
christianeducatorsacademy.com/unveiling-the-origin-of-christianity-where-did-the-te…

Now, as for today as back then, a Christian is considered someone who is a believer in and follower of Jesus. Someone who has repented, and accepted Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior. However, there are many, many peoples who call themselves Christian that really are not. Take too long to list all the variations here. Just suffice to know that a "Christian" must also strive to live a Christ-like life.

Regarding baptism: No, one is not Biblically REQUIRED to be water baptized to be considered a Christian. However, water baptism is IMPORTANT because Jesus said to be water baptized, and set the example for all His disciples. It is considered to be the first act of obedience!

Don't remember all your other questions, will look back and see...
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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ChocolateSheep said:
I highly agree with you. But still, it couldn't hurt to have a solid foundation of what a Christian is supposed to be.
Click to expand...
No, it could not. That is WHY we were given the Written Word of God. To study and to learn from. It is also why we need to be sanctified. Receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who is our God given Teacher in all things Scriptural. As for attending Church, that also is important IMO in order to establish a Christian Family Foundation for guidance and support as we deal with the trials of this life. God did not call us to be His children and then for us to just go off somewhere and sit in a corner or such and never involve ourselves in the lives of others. EVERY PERSON GOD CALLED, HE ALSO PURPOSED! We have become His children because He has a purpose for us in the advancement of His Kingdom!
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

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Sep 4, 2013
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“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 (KJV)

(context)


11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Where we get "do unto others as we would have them do unto us, right? One of the well known quotes that really is Scripture based.
 
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