Who is a Christian? My Take (scriptures, salvation, disciple, Jesus)

[SeekerSA]

Originally Posted by Dave_n_Tenn

Well I'm sure you are... but as it says in scripture, we are 'filthy rags".

I'm trying oxy-clean.... next.... can't get "filthy" off.

Correction:

Our righteousness is as filthy rages aka our own flesh abilities. Do you even know what the filthy rags are?

The MKJV renders it thus:

Isa 64:6 But we are all as the unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as a menstruation cloth. And we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

A used sanitary towel or tampon in today's terms

Now that really is nothing to boast about eh ladies?

I think Father John takes a pragmatic POV in demystifying the bible putting much in context yet not denying who the Father is.

Most folk should call themselves Jesus-ians as that is where their focus lies and not with the Father.

Jesus was the Way to the Father aka doorWay not the destination. As part of the trinity, a RCC dogma/myth, the path/door/cross is worshipped instead of the destination, THE FATHER.

Most folk are too scared to open their god-in-a-box in case Pandora escapes when in fact we have to open it and destroy the other 5 sides too.

God is just tooooo BIG to put in a box.

This may help



Blessings

[K-Luv]

The glue that binds them all together under the flag of "Christian" is that they all; 1-Believe in the same God. 2-the belief in Jesus Christ to what ever degree. 3-Concepts of Heaven and Hell. 4-Basis of Theocracy formed from portion(s) of the Bible.

You're either a Christian or you are not.

No one particular sect has it 'right', nor do they have the right to condemn others. That is not your place here on Earth.

[spm62]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

Uh, I know you know what I meant, but since you want to 'go there', my bible says to baptize disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit....three things make a Trinity.

To be honest,I really wasn`t 100% sure of what you meant. That`s why I asked. But I don`t think the bible says you have to baptized or believe in a trinity to be saved. Lot`s of people have probably died without being baptized in the name of a trinity and will enter the kingdom.

How much more do you agree with Father John's version of the Bible and his views of Christ?

I`m not really sure what he believes!

[mams1559]

If we want to know what a Christian is, why don't we ask God what He considers a Christian? Yes, I'm being serious. Well, then it'll be "How do we do that?" Easy... read the bible. I know, there are sooo many Christians who don't believe the bible. However, it is my firm belief the bible is God's word and is the foundation of our faith. It was provided by God for our use so we could know Him and what's expected of us. We obviously cannot rely upon sinful man's reasoning to learn about God (just look at some of the threads here). I'd rather follow God's definition that He provided us in His word than man's own attempted definition. So, how does the bible define a Christian?

1) Belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior --

Romans 10:9-10 -- That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

2) By the fruit they produce you will know them --

Matthew 7:16 -- By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Galatians 5:22-24 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

3) Obedience to Jesus and His commands (following only Him) --

I John 2:3-6 -- We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[a] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

There are more, but this is a rather complete overview, IMO. Blessings

[Deb in VA]

Originally Posted by mams1559

If we want to know what a Christian is, why don't we ask God what He considers a Christian? Yes, I'm being serious. Well, then it'll be "How do we do that?" Easy... read the bible. I know, there are sooo many Christians who don't believe the bible. However, it is my firm belief the bible is God's word and is the foundation of our faith. It was provided by God for our use so we could know Him and what's expected of us. We obviously cannot rely upon sinful man's reasoning to learn about God (just look at some of the threads here). I'd rather follow God's definition that He provided us in His word than man's own attempted definition. So, how does the bible define a Christian?

1) Belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior --

Romans 10:9-10 -- That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

2) By the fruit they produce you will know them --

Matthew 7:16 -- By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Galatians 5:22-24 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

3) Obedience to Jesus and His commands (following only Him) --

I John 2:3-6 -- We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[a] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

There are more, but this is a rather complete overview, IMO. Blessings

This is what I believe as well. Thank you mams for posting!

[godofthunder]

I'm finding it extremely strange that Father John has not posted anything further in this thread. Where are you Father?

[freedom]

Originally Posted by godofthunder

I'm finding it extremely strange that Father John has not posted anything further in this thread. Where are you Father?

Call no man your Father, for there is only one Father even God.

freedom

[SeekerSA]

Originally Posted by freedom

Call no man your Father, for there is only one Father even God.

freedom

But is it right to take on titles like prophet(ess), apostle, bishop, pastor, evalgelist?

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by SeekerSA

But is it right to take on titles like prophet(ess), apostle, bishop, pastor, evalgelist?

Of course it is.

I'm a father
I'm an evangelist
I'm a Priest
I'm not a Pastor, but I know plenty
I'm a Bishop
I'm an overseer
I'm a presbyteer
I'm a child of God
I'm a disciple

We are many things... and titles mean nothing if you do not live by what the name means.

and my wife says:

I'm a pain

[freedom]

Originally Posted by SeekerSA

But is it right to take on titles like prophet(ess), apostle, bishop, pastor, evalgelist?

It's best to have them given to you, and not by man.

godspeed,

freedom