Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Well, in fairness, Christians are not required to obey all 603 commandments. That's not what the new covenant is all about. That said, there is nothing I have less tolerance for than self-righteousness.
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What makes one officially Christian?
- Thread starter Smart_Guy
- Start date
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
That is absolutely not a problem, I mentioned "test" not you.
I do not know if any religions require a test or process to establish membership.
The nearest I have come to it is that some churches require a proof of Baptism.
Others accept your word for it.
As many of us are baptised as infants, and do not know where we were baptised, it could be difficult to establish.
Especially people born around WW2 as they probably moved several times when small, and even lost parents.
Churches do keep records But you need to know which one to ask.
For instance I only know that I was baptised because I knew my Godfather as a boy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godparent
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
In my view, identifying yourself as a Christian and holding Jesus to be the Messiah (since that is literally what calling Him "Christ" means in the first place), and making an effort to live according to His teachings is enough to make you a Christian.
Bonus points for adhering to the Nicene Creed, and all the theology, ecclesiology and Christology that goes along with it.
Bonus points for adhering to the Nicene Creed, and all the theology, ecclesiology and Christology that goes along with it.
Real men wear belts.Not if you get the stretchy waistband which is 3% spandex!
This is an excellent definition, except for one thing.
The term "the Messiah" is rather vague. It certainly doesn't mean the same thing to most Christians as it did to the Original Testament authors.
Tom
Certainly, hence the range of opinions within Christianity--Messianic Jews, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, all the thousands of kinds of Protestants, members of the Apostolic Churches, Gnostic Christians, etc.
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
Not if you get the stretchy waistband which is 3% spandex!
Denim is still 100% cotton, or it is not denim.
Yes their are non-denominational Christians. That simply means that they are not officially connected to a particular denomination. However in my part of the country (Oklahoma), most of the non-denominational churches are Pentecostal in nature. many are a break away from Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Holiness. As far as a requirement for it there is not. Any church can choose to not be affiliated with a denomination. As far as your question "what makes one officially Christian"? Depends on who you talk to. To me it is simply someone who believes that Christ was crucified and rose on the third day, and then makes a choice to follow him in life. That's just my definition.
Good point ^ above ^ about identity because notice what would be the hallmark identity for Jesus followers found at John 13:34-35
As an ID they would have the same ' self-sacrificing love ' as Jesus showed.
Neo Deist
Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.
While under the Constitution of the Mosaic Law Jesus did emphasize Love God and neighbor as self, and later Jesus gave his followers a NEW commandment at John 13:34-35 to have self-sacrificing love for others as he did. In other words, now love others more than self.
Yes, that's right, and most certainly not always an easy thing. lol Maybe never an easy thing. Buddhism teaches a similar concept, as well.
Orontes
Master of the Horse
I think discipleship is separate from base identification. One may recognize Jesus as the Christ, but take no serious action toward following any dicta tied to His teachings. Identifying with a thing, and being engaged in that thing are different. One may identify themselves with a political party, but not really do anything in a political vein. I think the same is the case for religion, or any number of belief systems. To the earnest practitioner this may be anathema, but the distinction still exists.
I agree. I have often thought that Buddha and Jesus would have gotten along quite well.
haha I was thinking about that very thing, recently! Wise minds?
haha I was thinking about that very thing, recently! Wise minds?
Wise minds? Yes I do believe both Jesus and Buddha had very wise minds.
Wise minds? Yes I do believe both Jesus and Buddha had very wise minds.
I meant you and me hahahaha!