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Post by nsync on Oct 18, 2009 17:54:29 GMT -5
What makes a person a Christian, iyo?
What steps must people take to reach "Christianhood?
Does someone have to believe Jesus is God to be a Christian?
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Post by peppermint on Oct 18, 2009 23:40:49 GMT -5
A Christian is one who confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus Christ is the son of God, died for our sins, defeated the grave and will return again. I think what people get confused about is the difference between salvation and sanctification. Sanctification is a process that is lifelong.
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Post by nsync on Oct 19, 2009 9:53:41 GMT -5
Thanks peppermint. What scripture do you use to support your beliefs if any?
I realize there are varying beliefs of what a Christian is...
Some people break it down to culturally christian and practicing christian.
Then there are some who believe that a christian is anyone who believes Jesus is God and/or Son of God. There are some who believe as long as one believes in Jesus' ministry and follows his practices...Christian.
Then there are folks who say...OMG you drank wine yesterday YOU ARE NOT a Christian.
So about two year ago I have been on the path to discover the truth in my own corner apart from how I was raised and what I was taught growing up.
I think there are two ways to determine if a person is a Christians. I don't get into the technicalities of if they are "living right", praying and reading every day, been baptized physically and filled with the holy ghost. To me that's the personal aspect of Christianity...your walk with Christ it is not my business unless God has directly placed me in your path to encourage you about that.
I am slowly defining the terms for myself which in it's early stages is living the lifestyle in which Jesus suggested and submitting to God . This may seem simple to OR critics, but it's not simple at all.
You can't just wake up one day and live that lifestyl,e I have found. It takes studying and praying and fellowshipping with likeminds. What it does not require is a whole lot of manmade rules and judgements.
I also think that acknowledging Jesus as son of God, Savior, Messiah and ultimately God Himself does come into play, but I haven't reached that far in my journey. I am still studying and praying for guidance in this area. This sometimes makes me want to withdraw from church because there is constant focusi on worshipping and understanding the way of the church .There is very little room for personal interpretation in most of the churches I have attended.
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Post by nsync on Oct 19, 2009 10:04:01 GMT -5
Oh scripture I rely on St John 3:16
And this scripture is interesting because it says that Jesus is God's begotten Son. If so that would imply that Jesus and God are different.
However, through my own personal research there is discrepency in the translation of the word begotten from the original text. It is said that the original word means only or unique.
I don't know the original word just yet. I haven't studied the original texts(nor could I at this point. lol). So I don't know exactly which way the pendulum swings in regards to that.
But for me this scripture is the gateway to Christianity and it opens up so many doors of understanding for me.
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Post by Highly Favored on Oct 19, 2009 14:18:41 GMT -5
What makes a person a Christian, iyo?
A Christian is a follower of Christ. A follower of Christ practices the things he taught.
What steps must people take to reach "Christianhood?
Confession with the mouth, believing with the heart (Romans 10:9) are the initial steps. Following on to know Christ in a personal and intimate way is yet another step.
Does someone have to believe Jesus is God to be a Christian?
Yes, the very name "Christian" to me suggests that. Why would one want to be identified by a name other than that of his/her One True and Living God?
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Post by peppermint on Oct 28, 2009 22:20:17 GMT -5
Sorry Outtie, I overlooked this:
Scriptural support:
Salvation:
Romans 10:9 as HF mentioned
John 3:16- 17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17)For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Sanctification
* The following, IMO, indicate that sanctification is a process and not immediate, but is expected in exchange for the new life Jesus has provided to us*
Sanctify- to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate
Matthew 26:41- Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Romans 6:1-3- What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2)God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (3)Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Romans 6:19- I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 12:1- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 Corinthans 7:1-Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
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Post by denounced on Oct 29, 2009 13:56:58 GMT -5
What SOIL are you?
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Post by LejaOMG on Nov 10, 2009 10:53:47 GMT -5
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Post by ReignMan19 on Nov 10, 2009 12:19:03 GMT -5
Amen
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Post by Oren Ishii on Nov 10, 2009 19:54:29 GMT -5
Interesting thread...
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Post by denounced on Nov 11, 2009 11:15:37 GMT -5
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Post by DamieQue™ on Nov 11, 2009 13:53:25 GMT -5
Okay I'm going to have to re-read this whole thread
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Post by DamieQue™ on Nov 12, 2009 8:38:39 GMT -5
This might be resurrecting an old argument, but IMO, if the Bible is to believed then it is difficult to conclude anything but that Jesus is God.
Setting aside that if Jesus was not God, it seems you necessarily go from monotheism to polytheism (i.e. One True God vs. Divine Jesus paradox) there are just too many references of God-Jesus equivalency to for me to ignore.
So yeah, when Jesus say I and my Father are One, then either He is telling the truth and we can believe what He says - or He is lying and then we can't be certain of anything He says. If we can't believe what He says we can't be sure of any of teachings - and what is Christianity based on except for His teachings?
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Post by BlackPrincess on Nov 12, 2009 11:51:12 GMT -5
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Post by peppermint on Nov 13, 2009 11:12:55 GMT -5
I don't know anything about soil---I stand upon a rock. Matthew 7:24- herefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock Now what type of soil are you on? |
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Post by Highly Favored on Nov 13, 2009 11:43:06 GMT -5
Peppermint,
I think Denounced is referring to Matthew 13:3-9.
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Post by peppermint on Nov 13, 2009 11:48:38 GMT -5
^^^ I stand on a solid rock, I sow in fertile ground
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Post by Highly Favored on Nov 13, 2009 12:08:14 GMT -5
^^^ I stand on a solid rock, I sow in fertile ground Okay, that's good. I think he means that when others sow into your life, what type of soil are they sowing into? |
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Post by nsync on Nov 19, 2009 21:14:36 GMT -5
Is the below for this thread or the Jesus and God the same/one thread? This might be resurrecting an old argument, but IMO, if the Bible is to believed then it is difficult to conclude anything but that Jesus is God.
Setting aside that if Jesus was not God, it seems you necessarily go from monotheism to polytheism (i.e. One True God vs. Divine Jesus paradox) there are just too many references of God-Jesus equivalency to for me to ignore.
So yeah, when Jesus say I and my Father are One, then either He is telling the truth and we can believe what He says - or He is lying and then we can't be certain of anything He says. If we can't believe what He says we can't be sure of any of teachings - and what is Christianity based on except for His teachings? |
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