Why does calling one's self a Christian matter?

[savagewind]

I'm not exactly sure why you posted this in reference to my post....

I underlined the offending post. You said the name was adopted by Christians so that they would be identified as "true" Christians but the scripture i reminded you of squashes that theory. Have you read the Bible?

 

[Renji]

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

Savagewind, I think you kinda over analayzed the verse and what starlite said. All he/she means is that the term "Christian" was used to determine the followers of Christ. Christ= the One being followed, the One his followers believe in. Suffix "ian" was added to somehow give a meaning that these group of people follow Christ, hence, they are called Christians. And the verse you quoted pertains to people who classify themselves as "christians", but they really are not (for so many reasons and only God knows which is which since it's only He who can see what's deep inside us).

 

[savagewind]

Savagewind, I think you kinda over analayzed what starlite said. All he/she means is that the term "Christian" was used to determine the followers of Christ. Christ= the One being followed, the One his followers believe in. Suffix "ian" was added to somehow give a meaning that these group of people follow Christ, hence, they are called Christians. And the verse you quoted pertains to people who classify themselves as "christians", but they really are not (for so many reasons and only God knows which is which since it's only He who can see what's deep inside us).

You are such a gallant fella. Is it the picture? I am not over analyzing it. She said it is a name given TRUE Christians. No one knows a "true christian" except God Almighty.

 

[Renji]

You are such a gallant fella. Is it the picture? I am not over analyzing it. She said it is a name given TRUE Christians. No one knows a "true christian" except God Almighty.

Reread it. It says to "somewhat distinguish the true followers of Christ". He/she refers to the use of the term "Christians", pertaining to followers of Christ, in order to distinguish them from the Jews. She's not pertaining to who's false and who's the genuine.

 

[savagewind]

Reread it. It says to "somewhat distinguish the true followers of Christ". He/she refers to the use of the term "Christians", pertaining to followers of Christ, in order to distinguish them from the Jews. She's not pertaining to who's false and who's the genuine.

Oh. I am hallucinating. So sorry. I see the word "true" in what she posted. I suppose an apology is in order.

 

[savagewind]

(Acts 11:25, 26) . . .So he went off to Tarsus to make a thorough search for Saul 26 and, after he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It thus came about that for a whole year they gathered together with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine
providence called Christians.

According to Acts 11:26, “it was first in Antioch [in Syria] that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” That occurred about the year 50. So that from A.D. 33 to 50, or for seventeen years, the disciples of Jesus Christ had not been called Christians or Messianists. Besides this fact, the word “Christian” occurs only three times in the entire Bible.—Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.

Why were they called Christians (Greek) or Messianists (Hebrew)? In order to distinguish them from the natural Jews or Israelites who had rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. And yet Rome confused Christians with Jews, because the Christians also used the Jewish Bible and their Leader Jesus Christ was a native-born Jew, Israelite or Hebrew. So away back then the name Christian did serve somewhat to distinguish the true followers of Christ.

What does "true follower of Christ" mean please?

 

[savagewind]

It probably has its origins in mockery. The Christians do this, the Christians don't do that. The literal meaning of the word is self-explanatory.

Lutherans and Calvinists are only called such because the Roman church had a practice of naming perceived heresies after their principal teachers. Followers naturally embraced these labels as a point of irony to spite the Papists. Note the proper name of the Lutheran Church is the Evangelische Kirche and that Calvinism is, in more academic circles, known as the Reformed faith. Methodists are called Methodists because fellow Oxford students mocked the practices of the Holy Club and Wesley thought it was a good name to use since it was accurate and already in public use. Muslims were formerly called Mohammedans because they were thought to worship Muhammad. Only later did it come to be a term of derision.

Take your pick.

This is good and supports my premise. What does "take your pick" mean please?

 

[Renji]

Why were they called Christians (Greek) or Messianists (Hebrew)? In order to distinguish them from the natural Jews or Israelites who had rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. And yet Rome confused Christians with Jews, because the Christians also used the Jewish Bible and their Leader Jesus Christ was a native-born Jew, Israelite or Hebrew. So away back then the name Christian did serve somewhat to distinguish the true followers of Christ.

By considering that paragraph in context, then the usage of the phrase "true followers of Christ" pertains to those who embraced Jesus as the messiah, as opposed to those who didn't. That title is inclusive only to those who accepted Christ's teachings, hence, called Christians. This is different if we are pertaining to determine among which of the thousands of Christian denos are is the genuine. Only God knows what's inside the heart of every people who considers themselves Christians.

 

[savagewind]

"true followers of Christ" pertains to those who embraced Jesus as the messiah, as opposed to those who didn't.

Only God knows what's inside the heart of every people who considers themselves Christians.
__________________

So only God knows who in reality "embrace 'Jesus' as the messiah". That was my point. I wonder if I find a pretty picture that is 'me' would you learn to speak up for me too? I really need it more than her I think.

 

[Renji]

So only God knows who in reality "embrace 'Jesus' as the messiah". That was my point. I wonder if I find a pretty picture that is 'me' would you learn to speak up for me too? I really need it more than her I think.

Weh? I've said: ..This is different if we are pertaining to determine among which of the thousands of Christian denos are is the genuine.... don't cut what I post, or else it will convey a different meaning.

 

[savagewind]

Weh? I've said: ..This is different if we are pertaining to determine among which of the thousands of Christian denos are is the genuine.... don't cut what I post, or else it will convey a different meaning.

We are not talking about different denominations. We are talking about the name "christian". I am sorry I misunderstood you. :sorry1:

 

[savagewind]

What I mean to say is even back in the first century only God Almighty knows who is genuinely following His Son. If their hypothesis is right and the name came from the leaders of the congregation to distinguish the congregation members as "true Christian" then please explain how Ananias, Sapphira, and the others who proved by their actions that they were not true were called christian too? It was not a name to "distinguish true followers of Christ". It was a name given to the group but not by the group. "People on the outside" would not know a true follower of Christ if their life depended on it.

 

[Klerkie]

"Christian" comes from a Greek term, christos, meaning "anointed" and a cognate of massiah; it was used as a name for Jesus by the Greeks

 

[Pastadamus]

I've actually found that the people who are most like the Jesus as written in the Bible, are those who do NOT call themselves "Christian"

 

[savagewind]

I've actually found that the people who are most like the Jesus as written in the Bible, are those who do NOT call themselves "Christian"

Amazing but true. I see it too.

Christianity became a religion of. One Day God Will Make Us Know The Right Way To Live We Will Be Waiting.

 

[Shermana]

One Day God Will Make Us Know The Right Way To Live We Will Be Waiting.

He gave us the Right Way to live 3000 years ago through Moses. However some of the details are up to debate.

 

[starlite]

[/color]

What does "true follower of Christ" mean please?

These scriptures indicate there would be imitation Christians:

(Matthew 7:21-23) . . .“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. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.

(Matthew 13:24-30) 24 Another illustration he set before them, saying: “The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man that sowed fine seed in his field. 25 While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat, and left. 26 When the blade sprouted and produced fruit, then the weeds appeared also. 27 So the slaves of the householder came up and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow fine seed in your field? How, then, does it come to have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy, a man, did this.’ They said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go out and collect them?’ 29 He said, ‘No; that by no chance, while collecting the weeds, YOU uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the harvest season I will tell the reapers, First collect the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them up, then go to gathering the wheat into my storehouse.’”