Identifying True Christianity

[savagewind]

No offense S.W. but I haven't found any group that because of their denominational beliefs knew the truth on everything. In fact what i've found is the stronger the denominational claim is, the more stubborn and not easy to talk WITH they will be.

You might check out what the Jehovah's Witness denominational claim is.

Pegg seems fine with me. Let's let her behavior and her words identify her and define her

.....to you. Of course. Are Jehovah's Witnesses new to you? They are one mind. It's their specialty.

Fair enough?

Fair enough.. You didn't answer my question.

It was; What won't get anywhere? It is refering to this that you said;

But I don't think it can really get anywhere until the WHAT IS part is answered

 

[savagewind]

The pronoun it in the sentence "But I don't think it can really get anywhere until the WHAT IS part is answered", what is it please?

 

[Shermana]

First you have to define what a Xian is. Put 100 people in a room who claim to be Xians, then pass them a card to define what that means, if you quizzed them past the cliche's, you'd have no less than 135 definitions.

The best definition I've seen of "TRUE CHRISTIAN" is, "You are not one, cause you don't agree with me!"

And I'm not meaning to rain on your parade here Pegg, I realize minus the term you have a good thought going here. But I don't think it can really get anywhere until the WHAT IS part is answered. First on CHRISTIAN, then on true...

How about we go with what the Bible says were the first people to be called Christians....

Nazarene Jews under Peter's authority in Antioch, right before/just about when Paul entered the picture.

Now at what point do we get to define "Christian" differently just because we want to aside from how it was originally defined? Who gave authority to define Christian outside of the use of the word in the texts?

 

[kjw47]

Ok, add this, to corroborate her comments, in the early father's discussions on Trinity, some of those "added verses" would have REALLY REALLY helped their cases and made them easier to establish trinity.

And, yet, they didn't mention them.

And as best we know (granting we don't know what is lost and we haven't seen) the verses mentioning trinitarian type comments, ONLY appear after the doctrine was established, else they would have SURELY USED THEM WHEN MAKING THEIR CASE!

A true follower of Jesus, learns all of Jesus' truths, applys all of Jesus' truths, shares Jesus' truths- Followers of Jesus listen to his voice over mens dogma--Jesus clearly taught at John 17:1-6-- While praying to his Father, calls his Father( one who sent him) THE ONLY TRUE GOD-- and one must know the Father and know Jesus to get eternal life--verse 6 = Jehovah.----- Jesus out of his own mouth teaches that he has a God-John 20:17, rev 3:12--his Father= Jehovah. Paul taught the same-1 cor 8:6

So by teaching a trinity it basically is calling Jesus a liar. The trinity translations are filled with errors from centuries ago. The trinity teaching contradicts Jesus' truth.

 

[gilligan8914]

Every religion has its identifying features. I want to list the five identifying features of a true Christian believer. These features can be gleaned from the gospels in Jesus instructions about how to follow him.

Identifying feature 1 found in Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”
Its not enough to profess Christianity, a true christian must 'practice' it. This involves their whole way of life, including their attitude toward money, secular work, entertainment, worldly customs and celebrations, and marriage and other relationships with fellow humans.


Identifying feature 2 found in Luke 4:43
“To other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.”
Like Jesus, a true follower is one who also shares the message that Jesus shared. It was the message of the Kingdom. That kingdom was explained in Daniel 2:44 as a real heavenly rulership that would eventually take over the rulership of the earth. Jesus preached that this kingdom is mankinds only hope for salvation and included it in his model prayer "let your kingdom come"



Identifying feature 3 found in Matthew 6:9
“YOU must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified."
Jesus made Gods name known to his disciples and they were in turn to sanctify that name. This sanctification of Gods name was so important to Jesus that he made it the first priority in the Model Prayer. A follower of Christ would uphold and cherish the name of God, they would carry that name to others just as Jesus carried it to them.



Identifying feature 4 found in 1John 2:15
“Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
A follower of Christ would not put their trust and hope in the things of this world, they would put their trust and hope in God. Jesus said we cannot be a slave for two masters so christians must make a decision as to which master they will slave for. Having involvement with the worlds pursuits would put as at odds with Godly pursuits. It would require neutrality in political affairs. Followers of Christ cannot slave for God and the world, they must choose one.



Identifying feature 5 found in Matthew 22:37-39
“You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind” and “you must love your neighbour as yourself.”
Love should be evident in a christians way of life. They should be peaceful with all people. Their actions toward their fellowman should always be governed by love and would overcome racial, cultural, and political barriers.


These five features are what you would expect to find in true christianity.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Whatever happened to these teachings?

 

[Pegg]

First you have to define what a Xian is. Put 100 people in a room who claim to be Xians, then pass them a card to define what that means, if you quizzed them past the cliche's, you'd have no less than 135 definitions.

The best definition I've seen of "TRUE CHRISTIAN" is, "You are not one, cause you don't agree with me!"

And I'm not meaning to rain on your parade here Pegg, I realize minus the term you have a good thought going here. But I don't think it can really get anywhere until the WHAT IS part is answered. First on CHRISTIAN, then on true...

What is Christ Jesus?

We have a living example of the person we are claiming to follow. Christians (meaning a follower of Christ) are told
John 13:15*For I set the pattern for YOU, that, just as I did to YOU, YOU should do also

The only way to prove yourself a christian is by actually living according to the pattern set by Christ himself.

 

[Pegg]

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Whatever happened to these teachings?

that would come under 'love your neighbour as yourself'

Our neighbour is EVERY living human whether we know them or not. Our family friends and enemies would all fall into that category.

 

[LuisDantas]

There are parts of the Gospel of Luke that make me wonder why one would even care whether someone is a True Christian Believer. Jesus himself apparently did not care too much.

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

It's odd that people quote John the most given it's differences with the Synoptics.

 

[savagewind]

It's odd that people quote John the most given it's differences with the Synoptics.

I don't think it is fair to the men who wrote about Christ to be basing one's faith on what they wrote. It isn't fair to them and it won't turn out well for You if you are wrong. If you are wrong, should the writer be blamed?

You are not Franklin. Franklin prompted my post, that's all. You are those that do lean on other people's understanding.

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

I don't think it is fair to the men who wrote about Christ to be basing one's faith on what they wrote. It isn't fair to them and it won't turn out well for You if you are wrong. If you are wrong, should the writer be blamed?

You are not Franklin. Franklin prompted my post, that's all. You are those that do lean on other people's understanding.

Can you make that clear? I have no idea what you were trying to say.

 

[savagewind]

Can you make that clear? I have no idea what you were trying to say.

You mean this part?

You are not Franklin. Franklin prompted my post, that's all. You are those that do lean on other people's understanding.

It means the word "you" in my post does not refer to Franklin but to the ones that do lean on other people's understanding. I do not know if you do.

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

Every religion has its identifying features. I want to list the five identifying features of a true Christian believer. These features can be gleaned from the gospels in Jesus instructions about how to follow him.

Identifying feature 1 found in Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”
Its not enough to profess Christianity, a true christian must 'practice' it. This involves their whole way of life, including their attitude toward money, secular work, entertainment, worldly customs and celebrations, and marriage and other relationships with fellow humans.


Identifying feature 2 found in Luke 4:43
“To other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.”
Like Jesus, a true follower is one who also shares the message that Jesus shared. It was the message of the Kingdom. That kingdom was explained in Daniel 2:44 as a real heavenly rulership that would eventually take over the rulership of the earth. Jesus preached that this kingdom is mankinds only hope for salvation and included it in his model prayer "let your kingdom come"



Identifying feature 3 found in Matthew 6:9
“YOU must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified."
Jesus made Gods name known to his disciples and they were in turn to sanctify that name. This sanctification of Gods name was so important to Jesus that he made it the first priority in the Model Prayer. A follower of Christ would uphold and cherish the name of God, they would carry that name to others just as Jesus carried it to them.



Identifying feature 4 found in 1John 2:15
“Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
A follower of Christ would not put their trust and hope in the things of this world, they would put their trust and hope in God. Jesus said we cannot be a slave for two masters so christians must make a decision as to which master they will slave for. Having involvement with the worlds pursuits would put as at odds with Godly pursuits. It would require neutrality in political affairs. Followers of Christ cannot slave for God and the world, they must choose one.



Identifying feature 5 found in Matthew 22:37-39
“You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind” and “you must love your neighbour as yourself.”
Love should be evident in a christians way of life. They should be peaceful with all people. Their actions toward their fellowman should always be governed by love and would overcome racial, cultural, and political barriers.


These five features are what you would expect to find in true christianity.

You first need to identify what the term."doing the will of my Father" is. For if you refuse to obey what He has demanded from you by Jesus' crucifixion you will not be allowed to enter God's kingdom.

 

[savagewind]

You first need to identify what the term."doing the will of my Father" is. For if you refuse to obey what He has demanded from you by Jesus' crucifixion you will not be allowed to enter God's kingdom.

I believe what you have said (above) cannot be disputed. Two questions please.

1. Is "what he has demanded from you" the same for everyone? I think a yes or no answer will satisfy.

2. Have you identified what the term means?

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

I believe what you have said (above) cannot be disputed. Two questions please.

1. Is "what he has demanded from you" the same for everyone? I think a yes or no answer will satisfy.

2. Have you identified what the term means?

"And for Your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man." Gen. 9:5, regarding the sin of crucifying Him. The law was changed, a word was added, and by this law God's will for each man was perfected into a unilateral demand from each man by law. Gen. 9:5 is the other immutable oath mentioned in Hebrews.
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

I don't think it is a case of finger pointing or "us" and "them". It is a case of telling it like it is, no matter if you step on people's toes to point out the obvious. It's not about one being more sanctimonious than another, but better to have a sore toe than lose your salvation. Jesus did not hesitate to step on the toes of those who should have known better. Lives were at stake. (Matt 23:33) All Jesus asks us to do is evaluate what we believe and practice honestly and by using Bible teachings.

Church going folk are not generally taught to study God's word and adhere to ALL its teachings. They seem to have an attitude that 'if I show up for church once a week and sing praises to God and have a minister/pastor/priest give me a nice sermon and pray on my behalf, then that lets me off the hook for all the other things I "ought to do", like preaching the kingdom at every opportunity, staying married to the one to whom you made vows of "till death do us part" and divorce only on the grounds of a mate's adultery. These are not deemed 'necessary things' that a Christian "ought" to do these days, because they do not fit in with the current lifestyle....yet every one of them was commanded by Christ. We cannot pick and choose what bits of Christianity suit us and conveniently ignore the rest.

There seems to be no discipline administered in the churches either. Yet the apostle Paul clearly outlined what was to be done with unrepentant sinners. They were not to sit as members in good standing in the congregation, making a mockery of God's laws. The admonition was to "remove" them from fellowship after lovingly counseling them and giving them opportunity to repent and seek God's forgiveness. (Gal 6:1; 1 Cor 5:9-13) Judging within the congregation was authorized by God and the necessary discipline was to be administered in the hope of preventing that one from losing their salvation. Should we be less diligent about such things because we live in immoral times? I would think we need to be more diligent about them. (Gal 6:7-10) :sad:

All we can do is point out the truth from God's word and hope that honest hearts are listening. We have examples in times past where warning was given, but no one took any notice. They were happy to just maintain the status quo. (Matt 24:37-39)

History repeats.....

All contemporary churches are not the church that Jesus Christ is head of. ***staff edit***
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13

 

[savagewind]

"And for Your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man." Gen. 9:5, regarding the sin of crucifying Him. The law was changed, a word was added, and by this law God's will for each man was perfected into a unilateral demand from each man by law. Gen. 9:5 is the other immutable oath mentioned in Hebrews.
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13

Like I said "yes or no will satisfy". You choose not to answer. Fine. I don't care.

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

Like I said "yes or no will satisfy". You choose not to answer. Fine. I don't care.

Had no suspicion that you did care. Don't flatter yourself.

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

"There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism." It is one thing to post a ref. to the citation implying you know what it means, but it is quite another to be told what it actually means.
Don't flatter yourself. I may be classified as a freshman to your satisfaction, but don't kid yourself, kid. I've got a lot more years and miles in the game than you can dream of.

 

[savagewind]

"There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism." It is one thing to post a ref. to the citation implying you know what it means, but it is quite another to be told what it actually means.
Don't flatter yourself. I may be classified as a freshman to your satisfaction, but don't kid yourself, kid. I've got a lot more years and miles in the game than you can dream of.

Is it a private affair or are you willing to tell us this wisdom you have actually become aware of?