What Makes a Christian a Christian?

[Heyo]

Since, one started the thread, one must be knowing who has the most skin in the issue, please ask them to attend to it, if they may. Right friend, please?

Regards

Of course Christians have the most to say about who is a Christian. In fact, I think only Christians can answer the question. I didn't specify that though because I didn't want to exclude others.
And I think it has become obvious in this thread that neither Christians nor non Christians have an agreeable definition.

 

[paarsurrey]

We know that a true Scotsman doesn't put sugar on his porridge. So we have a test for true Scotsmanship.

But what is the test for a Christian? Do we have inclusive and exclusive criteria?

According to Wikipedia there are 2.4 billion Christians on earth. What do they have in common?
What do the other 5.4 billion not have?

Would your answer significantly change that number of 2.4 billion?

I wrote the following post on the topic “Are Mormons Christian?” long ago*, and I suggested a "litmus test" to ascertain a Christian from a Muslim or a Muslim from a Christian and it still holds water, I understand, and may be it also holds for all the non-Christians as well, I understand:
" Hi

For sure they call themselves Christians and nobody legally, morally and rationally, I understand, deny them that right of expressing their faith as they believe, if there is any free will there.

They are not Muslims, definitely as I figure; first they don’t say that. Secondly the following litmus test to verify a Christian from a Muslim also proves that.

There is not a single Muslim in the world who believes:

1. that innocent Jesus son of Mary died a cursed death on Cross, it is so clearly mentioned in Quran.
2. So, according to Muslims innocent Jesus son of Mary never ever needed to be resurrected from the dead as he never died on the Cross in the first place.
3. Hence innocent Jesus son of Mary was never G-d or Son of G-d as per Quran/Islam/Muhammad.

There is not a single Christian, in my knowledge:

1. who does not believe that innocent Jesus son of Mary died a cursed death on Cross
2. as per NT-Bible sinful and erring Disciples/scribes/Apostles/Epistles/Popes/Christian-missionaries/Christian-priesthood (and they can't stop sinning so their Savior gets saved) Jesus died on the Cross for their sins;
3. later as per the Christian faith innocent Jesus son of Mary got resurrected to life from the dead,
4. and hence innocent Jesus son of Mary was God (sinful Paul promoted innocent Jesus son of Mary from a prophet to God to become an Apostle of Jesus by a fake vision).
5. and Jesus got seated on the right hand of God, assuming all-power of G-d (but now their eyesight since that time has got weakened they don't see him anymore).

This is, to me, the superstitious building blocks of Christian faith which the Christians have been made to believe by the sinful Paul in Rome, I understand.
The Mormons believe the later Pauline-Christian faith, so they are Christian for all practical purposes according to the litmus test to know a Christian from a Muslim or a Muslim from a Christian,
otherwise, you would remain confused, I understand.
Right friends, please?

Regards
___________
* with little amendments here and there "

 

[Vinayaka]

A similar thread titled, "What makes a Hindu a Hindu' from several years back was cause for much personal reflection. I came to the conclusion, after some time, that the fairest determination is every individual's personal response. So, for me, if a person says they're a Christian, then that's good enough. Who am I to judge who is and who isn't. Besides all that, it's only a label.

Of course I know nothing about Christianity, but that's still satisfactory to me.

 

[Nova2216]

We know that a true Scotsman doesn't put sugar on his porridge. So we have a test for true Scotsmanship.

But what is the test for a Christian? Do we have inclusive and exclusive criteria?

According to Wikipedia there are 2.4 billion Christians on earth. What do they have in common?
What do the other 5.4 billion not have?

Would your answer significantly change that number of 2.4 billion?

You must begin with a sinner who is separated from God and his blessings. You teach that sinner how one is drawn to God according to (Jn 6:44,45). You teach him that one must hear truth, believe truth and obey truth to be freed from sin as (Rom. 6:3-6,16-18), (Mark 16:15,16) and (Acts 2:38,47 ; 8:12,13,26-40 ; 16:30-34 ; 22:16) teaches.

(Jn 6:44,45)

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:...

Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God...

Joh Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

In each and every conversion of the NT the person heard a message of truth, believed that truth and obeyed that truth and doing so freed that person from sin.

One cannot be connected with God until he has been freed from sin (Isa. 59:1,2).

The bible is very clear on how and when the sinner is freed from sin (Rom. 6:16-18) (Acts 2:38,47 ; 22:16) (Mark 16:16).

The problem is people will not accept what the scriptures above teach because the scriptures oppose their creed-books.

Gods word is clear and plain (1Cor.14:33).

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,...


In answer to your question, YES, if people followed Gods word alone instead of their creed-books the number would significantly be changed. (Gal. 1:6-9) (1Peter 4:11)



Thanks for the question.

 

[paarsurrey]

A similar thread titled, "What makes a Hindu a Hindu' from several years back was cause for much personal reflection. I came to the conclusion, after some time, that the fairest determination is every individual's personal response. So, for me, if a person says they're a Christian, then that's good enough. Who am I to judge who is and who isn't. Besides all that, it's only a label.

Of course I know nothing about Christianity, but that's still satisfactory to me.

Please provide the link of the thread "What makes a Hindu a Hindu ", it interests me, please.

Regards

 

[Vinayaka]

Please provide the link of the thread "What makes a Hindu a Hindu ", it interests me, please.

Regards

What makes a Hindu a Hindu - Version 2
What Makes a Hindu a Hindu?

 

[McBell]

Please provide the link of the thread "What makes a Hindu a Hindu ", it interests me, please.

Regards

What makes a Hindu a Hindu - Version 2

 

[paarsurrey]

Thanks friends ^^ , but it is in DIR sub-forum, please.
and regards.

 

[1213]

....But what is the test for a Christian? Do we have inclusive and exclusive criteria?...

Originally Christian meant a disciple of Jesus. And person is truly a disciple of Jesus, if he remains in the words of Jesus.

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

So, that is the way to know. And unfortunately, it seems that there are many “Christians” that don’t even know what it means.

 

[Muffled]

Maybe one must believe that someone believes there is a God in order to believe there isn't one.

I have Jesus in me. My words are His words and He always speaks the truth.

 

[Muffled]

Christianity


Ok, let's put this to the test.

1. Quote me any verse which states the new testament is from God and its a religious book (if it's not in the NT then why should you determine or claim it when the NT is not)
2. Quote me any verse that clearly tells us that the early believers in Jesus (who met him) were called Christians

1.
John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

2. was answered in another persons post.