Definition of a Christian

[StanJ]

Yes--one who has been adopted (Dan 14:1,2, Ro 11:1-31).

Only AFTER they have confessed Jesus Christ as their savior. Rom 8:28-30

 

[Aimiel]

One who knows Who Jesus is (The Christ, The Son of The Living God).

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

No one can know Who Christ is unless The Father gives him revelation knowledge of that fact. It is this knowledge (revealed to us directly by God) that Christ's Kingdom is built upon. Without knowing Who Christ is one cannot be born again. Without being born again one cannot even see The Kingdom.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

[OCTOBER23]

laying on of hands at baptism.

 

[turbosixx]

Before the LORD saved me 17 years ago, I spent most of my time reading the TV Guide and couldn't care less about the Bible. However, the LORD was "longsuffering"(Romans 2:4 KJV, 1 Timothy 1:16 KJV) toward me and most gracious, and showed me the "gospel of God.......concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord..."(Romans 1:1-3 KJV). To think that the Lord Jesus Christ, God "in the flesh", who "...created all things..."(Revelation 4:11KJV , John 1:3 KJV, Colossians 1:16 KJV , Hebrews 1:2 KJV), "made himself of no reputation , and took upon him the form of a servant...And...humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.."(Philippians 2:7-8 KJV) for my sake-that is the definition of sacrificial love! And he showed his love by dying in my place while I was a sinner and an enemy of God(Romans 5:8-10 KJV)! Amazing!

It is one thing to die for a loved one, but quite another thing to die for someone who is your enemy and had shown not the least bit of interest toward you. The word for a gift, "in the old days," meant that it was given without any expectation of return-grace.. However, in the "Greco-Roman world," grace was always exercised toward a friend, not an enemy. Thus, to the "natural man", who "...receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him..."(1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV), and who embraces the "...wisdom of this world...", which is "...foolishness with God..."(1 Cor. 3:19 KJV), it is "natural", "logical", to "...love them which love you..."(Matthew5:46 KJV). The world does "...love his own..."(John 15:19 KJV) and therefore bestows gifts to its' own(Christmas time, for eg.) The Bible terms this "...the spirit of the world..."(1 Cor. 2:12 KJV ) and contrasts this with "...the spirit which is of God.." The "spirit which is of God" is demonstrated by the cross. The "good news"(this is what "gospel' means), the "...gospel of the grace of God..."(Acts 20:24 KJV) is that we have "...peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..."(Romans 5:1 KJV), we have been "...reconciled....by Jesus Christ(2 Cor. 5:18 KJV-think on this-only enemies need reconciliation) by his death(Romans 5:10 KJV), by the cross(Ephesians 2:16 KJV), by his blood(Romans 3:25 KJV, Romans 5:9 KJV; Colossians 1:20 KJV; Exodus 12:13 KJV-notice here "...when I see the blood...", not behavior!), and by his identification with(2 Cor. 5:20-21 KJV) and substitution for(="for our"-1 Cor. 15:3 KJV,Romans 5:8 KJV, Galatians 1:4 KJV) sinners. And this "...gift of God..."(Romans 6:23 KJV), this "...free gift...unto justification of life"(Romans 5:18 KJV) in which we are "...justified freely by his grace..."(Romans 3:24 KJV), is appropriated "...by faith..."(Romans 5:1 KJV).

The gospel of the grace of God centers on the fact that God went to the extreme, doing what to the "natural man" is unthinkable and "foolishness"(1 Cor. 1:18 KJV), becoming a man and dying in man's place("for") so that man might be reconciled and thus avoid the "wages of sin", which is "death"(Romans 6:23 KJV). Two truths stand out in the Bible. First, that God, being just and righteous, cannot and will not be satisfied with anything that man can be or do to affect his salvation-Romans 3:10-12 KJV, Isaiah 64:6 KJV, Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV, Romans 7:18 KJV, just to name a few. Second, that God is completely satisfied with everything that the Lord Jesus Christ is and has already done. News, by definition, is something that has already happened! Think on this. To insist that God would be foolish to save man gratuitously, without any conditions attached, is to disregard and insult the infinite worth of the life of the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crushed at Calvary so that "...we might be made the righteousness of God in him."(2 Cor. 5:21 KJV). Sadly, most reject "...the gift of God " which is "..eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"(Romans 6:23 KJV).

And how do most reject this gift of eternal life? By trying to "earn it" through a performance-based system-man presents his "good works" as a basis for acceptance with God. Think on this: How is it that we are graciously able to accept a gift from another, without feeling obligated to "return the favor", or ask, "How much do I owe you for this gift?", but are unable, or just outright refuse, to extend God our creator and provider the same regard? For eg., what would your reaction be if your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/son/daughter..............., after receiving a gift from you, said "(Name)....How much do I owe you?" This is exactly what people are doing when they attempt to present their "good works" to God as a basis of their acceptance with him-they are presenting a claim, a "debt owed" to God-God will be a debtor to no one! Why do we "...frustrate the grace of God..?"(Galatians2:21 KJV). But as it is written, "...for if righteousness came by the law, Christ is dead in vain."(Gal. 2:21 KJV)

Men/women, have always been saved by grace, either through, or by faith. However, it is another thing, to assert, that the content of faith has never changed, for it has, as the LORD God progressively revealed the "big picture" as pertaining to salvation, centered exclusively on His Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, if not explicitly, is on every page of "the volume of the book," or is there, "in the background," as the sole basis. Thus, Moses knew more than Jacob, who knew more than Isaac, who knew more than Jacob, who knew more than Abraham, who knew more than Noah, who knew more than Enoch, who knew more than Abel............

Thus, it is critical, before anyone starts a serious bible study, that they know what the gospel Paul preached is,the only gospel/good news that will save you, in this dispensation,for "....it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."(Romans 1:16 KJV). For "God our Saviour...will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth."(1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV). In fact, Paul takes the gospel content so seriously that he places a curse on anyone(including an angel from heaven) that would "pervert' or "preach any other gospel"-read carefully Galatians 1:6-9 KJV.


I nominate this post for POTLED-"Post Of The Last Eleven Days."

Thanks for the write up. I'm trying to understand what your saying but there are some things that aren't adding up for me. First, I understand Peter preached the gospel on Pentecost and those who believed were added to the body of Christ. If not, please tell me what I'm missing. Second, Paul preached the gospel of grace but didn't the others?

 

[Aimiel]

You are ignoring scripture!

"The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!...(Zech. 3:2)"

Amen! God isn't going to pretend that some being exists just so that He can make an illustration. He spoke to Satan (Lucifer) and he does exist.

 

[Grosnick Marowbe]

Peter was speaking to the House of Israel at Pentecost. This had nothing
to do with, "The Body of Christ." Until Paul comes along, there is no, Body
of Christ message. Peter was preaching "The Kingdom Message" to the
Israelite's. Later, Paul preached, "The Grace Message" to the Gentiles.

 

[Zeke]

Before the LORD saved me 17 years ago, I spent most of my time reading the TV Guide and couldn't care less about the Bible. However, the LORD was "longsuffering"(Romans 2:4 KJV, 1 Timothy 1:16 KJV) toward me and most gracious, and showed me the "gospel of God.......concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord..."(Romans 1:1-3 KJV). To think that the Lord Jesus Christ, God "in the flesh", who "...created all things..."(Revelation 4:11KJV , John 1:3 KJV, Colossians 1:16 KJV , Hebrews 1:2 KJV), "made himself of no reputation , and took upon him the form of a servant...And...humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.."(Philippians 2:7-8 KJV) for my sake-that is the definition of sacrificial love! And he showed his love by dying in my place while I was a sinner and an enemy of God(Romans 5:8-10 KJV)! Amazing!

It is one thing to die for a loved one, but quite another thing to die for someone who is your enemy and had shown not the least bit of interest toward you. The word for a gift, "in the old days," meant that it was given without any expectation of return-grace.. However, in the "Greco-Roman world," grace was always exercised toward a friend, not an enemy. Thus, to the "natural man", who "...receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him..."(1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV), and who embraces the "...wisdom of this world...", which is "...foolishness with God..."(1 Cor. 3:19 KJV), it is "natural", "logical", to "...love them which love you..."(Matthew5:46 KJV). The world does "...love his own..."(John 15:19 KJV) and therefore bestows gifts to its' own(Christmas time, for eg.) The Bible terms this "...the spirit of the world..."(1 Cor. 2:12 KJV ) and contrasts this with "...the spirit which is of God.." The "spirit which is of God" is demonstrated by the cross. The "good news"(this is what "gospel' means), the "...gospel of the grace of God..."(Acts 20:24 KJV) is that we have "...peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..."(Romans 5:1 KJV), we have been "...reconciled....by Jesus Christ(2 Cor. 5:18 KJV-think on this-only enemies need reconciliation) by his death(Romans 5:10 KJV), by the cross(Ephesians 2:16 KJV), by his blood(Romans 3:25 KJV, Romans 5:9 KJV; Colossians 1:20 KJV; Exodus 12:13 KJV-notice here "...when I see the blood...", not behavior!), and by his identification with(2 Cor. 5:20-21 KJV) and substitution for(="for our"-1 Cor. 15:3 KJV,Romans 5:8 KJV, Galatians 1:4 KJV) sinners. And this "...gift of God..."(Romans 6:23 KJV), this "...free gift...unto justification of life"(Romans 5:18 KJV) in which we are "...justified freely by his grace..."(Romans 3:24 KJV), is appropriated "...by faith..."(Romans 5:1 KJV).

The gospel of the grace of God centers on the fact that God went to the extreme, doing what to the "natural man" is unthinkable and "foolishness"(1 Cor. 1:18 KJV), becoming a man and dying in man's place("for") so that man might be reconciled and thus avoid the "wages of sin", which is "death"(Romans 6:23 KJV). Two truths stand out in the Bible. First, that God, being just and righteous, cannot and will not be satisfied with anything that man can be or do to affect his salvation-Romans 3:10-12 KJV, Isaiah 64:6 KJV, Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV, Romans 7:18 KJV, just to name a few. Second, that God is completely satisfied with everything that the Lord Jesus Christ is and has already done. News, by definition, is something that has already happened! Think on this. To insist that God would be foolish to save man gratuitously, without any conditions attached, is to disregard and insult the infinite worth of the life of the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crushed at Calvary so that "...we might be made the righteousness of God in him."(2 Cor. 5:21 KJV). Sadly, most reject "...the gift of God " which is "..eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"(Romans 6:23 KJV).

And how do most reject this gift of eternal life? By trying to "earn it" through a performance-based system-man presents his "good works" as a basis for acceptance with God. Think on this: How is it that we are graciously able to accept a gift from another, without feeling obligated to "return the favor", or ask, "How much do I owe you for this gift?", but are unable, or just outright refuse, to extend God our creator and provider the same regard? For eg., what would your reaction be if your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/son/daughter..............., after receiving a gift from you, said "(Name)....How much do I owe you?" This is exactly what people are doing when they attempt to present their "good works" to God as a basis of their acceptance with him-they are presenting a claim, a "debt owed" to God-God will be a debtor to no one! Why do we "...frustrate the grace of God..?"(Galatians2:21 KJV). But as it is written, "...for if righteousness came by the law, Christ is dead in vain."(Gal. 2:21 KJV)

Men/women, have always been saved by grace, either through, or by faith. However, it is another thing, to assert, that the content of faith has never changed, for it has, as the LORD God progressively revealed the "big picture" as pertaining to salvation, centered exclusively on His Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, if not explicitly, is on every page of "the volume of the book," or is there, "in the background," as the sole basis. Thus, Moses knew more than Jacob, who knew more than Isaac, who knew more than Jacob, who knew more than Abraham, who knew more than Noah, who knew more than Enoch, who knew more than Abel............

Thus, it is critical, before anyone starts a serious bible study, that they know what the gospel Paul preached is,the only gospel/good news that will save you, in this dispensation,for "....it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."(Romans 1:16 KJV). For "God our Saviour...will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth."(1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV). In fact, Paul takes the gospel content so seriously that he places a curse on anyone(including an angel from heaven) that would "pervert' or "preach any other gospel"-read carefully Galatians 1:6-9 KJV.


I nominate this post for POTLED-"Post Of The Last Eleven Days."

Yet the someone put some words into Paul's mouth he never stated, like Jesus for one along with Acts letter that is a fraudulent account of Saul's conversion etc....yet the spirit just forgot to mention that legal name John boy! oh well enjoy MT pilot because you haven't a clue where MT Zion is.

 

[daqq]

"Others" usually won't answer this question, for obvious reasons, but,
what church or denomination are you affiliated with?" A True Believer
would happily answer. Usually, "Others" will not. That's one way of
separating the sheep from the wolves. Personally, I think you're a
wolf.

Mount Zion, the city of the Living Elohim, the heavenly Yerushalaim of above, an innumerable company of Elohim-Angels, and the spirits of just men having been made perfect: the general assembly and great congregation of the firstborn sons having been written in the heavens, Elohim being the Judge of all, and Messiah Yeshua having been made Kohen Gadol after the order of Melki-Tzedek, and now being forevermore the New Mediator of the Covenant; the blood of whose sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel. You may think me a wolf but I know you not from any of the twelve gates the city.

 

[SaulToPaul 2]

Was Ward Cleaver really "at the office?"

Remember, Mayor:There's two kinds of wolf/wolf-ette hunters-Quick and Dead!

Wanted: Dead or Alive

By john w bon jovi

 

[turbosixx]

Peter was speaking to the House of Israel at Pentecost. This had nothing
to do with, "The Body of Christ." Until Paul comes along, there is no, Body
of Christ message. Peter was preaching "The Kingdom Message" to the
Israelite's. Later, Paul preached, "The Grace Message" to the Gentiles.

Could you please show me Peter preaching the kingdom message after the D,B &R, I don't see it.

 

[john w]

Yet the someone put some words into Paul's mouth he never stated, like Jesus for one along with Acts letter that is a fraudulent account of Saul's conversion etc....yet the spirit just forgot to mention that legal name John boy! oh well enjoy MT pilot because you haven't a clue where MT Zion is.

Thanks for checking in, Jeff:

The bongster Zekie boy, is another example, of what happens to one, who not only isolates himself from intelligent members of the boc, but isolates himself from "society"-he goes insane.

Thanks for unpacking that for us, zekie boy.

 

[patrick jane]

Thanks for checking in, Jeff:

The bongster Zekie boy, is another example, of what happens to one, who not only isolates himself from intelligent members of the boc, but isolates himself from "society"-he goes insane.

Thanks for unpacking that for us, zekie boy.

i can attest -

 

[republicanchick]

What, do you think, makes someone a Christian?

you have to be a christian according to GOD's definition of the word, not your own

There is nothing in the Bible that defines the wordChristian

so again, we are called to look at Christ'sChurch, which is the Roman CatholicChurch

He onlyfounded ONE

seems 2 me the first step in defining the word wouldbe:

be a member of HIS Church...

(not that there is any other, strictly speaking...)



++



++

 

[john w]

.... so again, we are called to look at Christ'sChurch, which is the Roman CatholicChurch

He onlyfounded ONE
seems 2 me the first step in defining the word wouldbe:

be a member of HIS Church...

(not that there is any other, strictly speaking...)

Who "founded" this church?:

Acts 7:38 KJV This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Let me guess: Fred Flintstone?


You won't answer that-no Roman Catholic shill will.


And it's "The Roman Catholic Organization," as this religious prostitute is certainly not a church, by the biblical definition. But, then again, biblical definitions mean NADA to Romans.

 

[john w]

you have to be a christian according to GOD's definition of the word, not your own

There is nothing in the Bible that defines the wordChristian

so again, we are called to look at Christ'sChurch, which is the Roman CatholicChurch

He onlyfounded ONE

seems 2 me the first step in defining the word wouldbe:

be a member of HIS Church...

(not that there is any other, strictly speaking...)



++



++

Stop the large letters/CAP jazz.

 

[patrick jane]

you have to be a christian according to GOD's definition of the word, not your own

There is nothing in the Bible that defines the wordChristian

so again, we are called to look at Christ'sChurch, which is the Roman CatholicChurch

He onlyfounded ONE

seems 2 me the first step in defining the word wouldbe:

be a member of HIS Church...

(not that there is any other, strictly speaking...)



++



++

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 KJV -

 

[StanJ]

There is nothing in the Bible that defines the wordChristian

so again, we are called to look at Christ's Church, which is the Roman Catholic Church

First of all, there is in Acts 11:26, and secondly where does the Bible say the RCC is Christ's Church?
The Bible does says Jesus is the Head of the Body of Christ, NOT a Pope.

 

[Grosnick Marowbe]

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 KJV -

YEP!

 

[Grosnick Marowbe]

you have to be a christian according to GOD's definition of the word, not your own

There is nothing in the Bible that defines the wordChristian

so again, we are called to look at Christ'sChurch, which is the Roman CatholicChurch

He onlyfounded ONE

seems 2 me the first step in defining the word wouldbe:

be a member of HIS Church...

(not that there is any other, strictly speaking...)



++



++

God help us if the Catholic Church was the ONLY Church around. Nobody would get saved.

 

[turbosixx]

Peter was speaking to the House of Israel at Pentecost. This had nothing
to do with, "The Body of Christ." Until Paul comes along, there is no, Body
of Christ message. Peter was preaching "The Kingdom Message" to the
Israelite's. Later, Paul preached, "The Grace Message" to the Gentiles.

Yes, Peter was speaking to Israel, but those who believed and were added, what were they added to?

Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Can you please point out what part of Peters message on Pentecost was about the kingdom. I don't see it.