Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

So after yesterdays conversations here.....

What is you definition of a Christian?

Everyone's is different so there can be no real wrong answer....

I ask after the "Why we're not saved" thread < Is our logic in not calling everyone "saved" a Christian? That one must bring themselves to a level of holiness to claim such?

Again being raised Baptist, we witnessed all to many "Christians" that were simply "Sunday Holy-Posers"...

Is it wrong for us to have such standards? Is this judging if it factually based?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

All churches and denominations have holy-posers. Live like an Angel on Sunday and like the devil the rest of the week.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Right, (and enjoy your day tomorrow)..


Ok, I'm not going to repeat the whole thread, but our issue is that we've witnessed SOOOooooo many become "saved" mostly by Baptist standards <don't laugh to hard there< but indeed the next day or a week or... what we personally witness in them shows Nothing that changed, nothing that supports their Claim of being Christian.

With that, we cannot bring it to ourselves that becoming a Christian can be that simple. We feel yes, everyone needs to be saved, but we also feel the Churches have made this WAY to simple! Maybe this is for numbers, maybe for members, maybe for money, maybe because they honestly think that's the way it is....

We simply cannot bring it to ourselves to give respect to someone claiming Christian who cannot support it.... This is why we equally feel we must change ourselves inward & outward before claiming such a commitment to God.



So then maybe we are being judgmental?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

To add to that, no one (even Ultra Con Menno's) have ever agreed with us on this until Apo's & AFF and there are at least a few here that do, even if not exactly.

Which is good so we no if we are wrong, least we are not the only ones ;)

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Listen to this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7LbEg3PZU

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

BaM!

Not that I feel it solely at the feet of the preacher..... The majority of preachers I've seen are in-fact sincere in their works, even if I don't agree with them.

but then some of the worst tragedies are laid with good intentions...


Are you saying you agree with the above video's contents NG?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Yes very much. The price Christ paid on the Cross was not cheap and we should not cheapen it or add to it. The cross was not a step in right direction toward Salvation it is Salvation . It is the corner stone not a stepping stone. The longer you serve Christ the Altar of repentance becomes larger and the sin we commit convicts our heart.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

We both thank you for the video & will seek out more Paul Washer videos for further enlightenment ;)

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Becoming converted initially is not particularly "difficult" for most in the USA.

Becoming a Christian = Believing on The Lord Jesus Christ and being saved, followed by public confession of Jesus - initiation into the church by baptism and recieving His Spirit.

In some parts of the world becoming a Christian is dangerous and may very well get you killed.

In America there is much less resistance.
Many new Christians succumb to ease and luxury even before they are discipled. A sign of the times.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Amen!

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

A Christian is the same as a disciple. Much modern error starts with the misunderstanding of this. Evangelical doctrine is currently running wild among Pentecostals.

You pray a prayer to get saved then you are a Christian. Just like that!

But if a Christian and a disciple are REALLY the same thing as shown here:

Acts 11:26

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass , that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch

So the believers were originally referred to as "disciples" of Christ. Later the people were called "Christians".

Why is this important? Let us see if Christ gave conditions to be HIS DISCIPLE.

Luke 14:25-27

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned , and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

See the difference? Jesus taught one cannot be a Christian unless they put him above everyone else! And he taught you cannot be a Christian unless you take up the cross and follow him!

How shocking to hear the true message of repentance! Not a mere raising of the hand. Not a mere ascent to the death of Christ on the cross. No.

Its forsaking the self life and taking the cross to follow. That is true repentance. No one is a true Christian who did not come this way. The "Christians" of today are taught THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO!

Yet according to Christ unless we forsake all and take up the cross and follow him we cannot be a Christian. No wonder the Churches are so corrupt. They are full of THEMSELVES!

No doubt there are millions of tares out that who think they are Christians. Probably MOST of todays Christians have NEVER been confronted with Christs terms to be HIS DISCIPLE.

And if they have they think it sounds like Heresy because it sounds so different than what they were taught. So it is not surprising in this day that most Churches do not have a New Testament "feel" to them.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

But don't expect to find many Apostolic Churches that teach and practice this. Im still looking for one myself!

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Got a question for navygoat.
If we can not judge each other or as you state another mans servent then how are we to fulfill 1cor.5: And 6:1-10.
There are other scriptures that tell us to judge one another as well.
Or are you talking about us judging those in the world?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Just my 2 ignorant cents here...

5:11. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

^^^ Is this talking about people claiming Christian but are clearly not? If so then this adds to my logic.


5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

^^^ Does this mean we should judge those that claim Christian inside the church? ...



5:5 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

^^^ I have NO Clue on this, how can handing the man over save him on The Day?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Because in his affliction he may repent and turn back to Christ.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Walking with Christ and holding hands with the devil

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

First off you know that is scripture? I did not state it, it is the inspired Word of God?????

Who are any of us to sit the high seat of judgement of the sanctification progress of another of God's servant.

For each of us our progress in the sanctification process is different. You can not mass produce sanctification.

What God has has convicted in your heart, He may not convict me on. In such a case who are you to judge me, am I your servant? Or am I beholden to another man and in this case the man is God.

When I fast I have coffee in the morning because if not I will run into a telephone pole. I was told years ago that my fast was invalid because I was having coffee and that God would not honor my fast. Of course the Word came from God that I fast unto Him and that it is between me and Him.

Honestly before we get hung-up on the sins of others we need to dig deep into our very own lives and check our own sin.

Let every man say that he has no sin be a liar.

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

A personal reply from a man of much respect...

My definition of "Christian" is very broad - I know that term was first used as a derrogatory term to those that were from Antioch. Today everyone can call themselves or others a Christian without being more than a simple believer in Christ - while most would feel that it was important to possess many of the attributes of Christ - like love for others, compassion, mercy, kindness, righteous living, simplicity, humility, etc. Unfortunately many of these attributes seem to suggest comparing yourself to others - which again is inappropriate - but rather comparing ourselves to Christ! When He is our template - then we all must honestly say that we fall short - so then no one would ever be able to call themselves a Christian. As you can see - the question has very broad implications and doesn't have a simple answer.



Found this worth sharing...

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

All I can add to that, is AMEN! Take up your cross, and follow Jesus. I don't know if we agree on everything (or even most things), but this I can wholeheartedly agree with. :thumbsup

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Apostolics can't define "apostolic." How are they going to define "christian?"

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Would that be. . . . . 'Sister Christian"?

Re: Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?
 

Every time you sin, every time you do wrong, everytime you are not perfect is a time that someone may say "look he was saved the apostolic way and there is nothing to support his claim of being a Christian".

Somewhere in this world there is a drug addict begging God for forgiveness right now. And God will forgive him and that drug addict will go back to his addiction and ask for forgiveness and on and on until one day he dies.

And there's also another man whose done good among men and is well liked and respected who will stand in church and pray "Thank God I'm not like that sinner drug addict who comes in here a few weeks every 4 or 5 months and then goes back to his drugs".

I seem to recall Jesus condemning one of those men...

Which man is more Christian? The one who acts as if he believes in the unconditional forgiveness of God bought for us by the blood of Jesus or the one who trusts in his own righteousness?

Luke 18
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”