What Is A True Christian

[GraceSaved]

A Christian is a person professing belief in Jesus Christ and on the teachings of Jesus.

Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

Good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God.  Titus 3:5  He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  A Christian is someone who has been born again by God. John 3:3, John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:23
 

A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12  The mark of a true Christian is obedience to God’s Word and love for others.  1 John 2:4,10

 

Other Scriptures explain how a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, though being dead in our sins, we are saved by grace.  Ephesians 2:8-9  A true Christian has faith in Jesus as the Savior.  Romans 10:9-10

A true Christian lives by faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.  1 Cor 15:3-4

A true Christian has God’s Holy Spirit living within.  Romans 8:9,16

The evidence of a true Christian is displayed in both faith and action. 2 Cor 5:17 

 

A true Christian will show his faith by how he lives.  James 2:18

Despite the wide variety of beliefs that fall under the general “Christian” label today, the Bible defines a true Christian as one who has personally received Jesus Christ as Savior, who trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, who has the Holy Spirit residing within, and whose life evinces change consistent with faith in Jesus.

[AVBibleBeliever]

Christ means Anointed

ian means one of another

 

literal translation of Christian is "anointed one (singular) anointed ones (plural)".

 

We are literally anointed ones. The idea that you and I are an anointed one should deeply affect our lives.

 

This is the only use of anointed in the Church writings

 

 2Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;

 

There is no use of the word anoint or anointing in the writings of Paul to the church.

 

When Paul called them Christians first at Antioch (as recorded by Luke) he was literally calling them anointed ones.

[Bro K]

The title Christian came about basically the same way "Baptist" did. It was a word used to ridicule a person(s) because of their beliefs.
Everyone has their own checklist by which they determine if an individual is a Christian/True Christian or not!

[John81]

Why do some believe being called a Christian was first used in a negative way of attack? Being called a Christian is calling one a Christ follower. That's exactly what a true Christian is. There is no hint in Scripture that the term Christian was one of derision used by enemies of Christ.

[AVBibleBeliever]

Acts 11:25 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.

[GraceSaved]

"Christian" can be used as a way for others to identify what one believes.1 Peter 4:16  However, sometimes it is used as a negative label because of those who have professed Christianity but because of their sinful, unfruitful lives have given it a bad name.

[The Glory Land]

Christian means, I was brought for a price, and if I believed in Him, I will never dye. :)

[Galations 2:20]

A Christian is a person professing belief in Jesus Christ and on the teachings of Jesus.

Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

Despite the wide variety of beliefs that fall under the general “Christian” label today, the Bible defines a true Christian as one who has personally received Jesus Christ as Savior, who trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, who has the Holy Spirit residing within, and whose life evinces change consistent with faith in Jesus.

YES, the word Christian is placed upon many worldly things today.  This makes a lot of things and works Christian in name only, but in reality have nothing to do with Christ.

 

YES a Christian simply is one who has faith in Jesus and His shed blood on the cross for their sin and all sin.

[DaveW]

Acts 11:25 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.

Hey John, the Bible makes absolutely no comment on HOW the name was used at all, it simply states it as a fact.

It is just as inaccurate to claim that it was intended in a positive light.

For the record, historical sources indicate that the name was used in a derogatory fashion - but historical sources are not inspired.......

[Galations 2:20]

Hey John, the Bible makes absolutely no comment on HOW the name was used at all, it simply states it as a fact.

It is just as inaccurate to claim that it was intended in a positive light.

For the record, historical sources indicate that the name was used in a derogatory fashion - but historical sources are not inspired.......

Acts 11:26 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. 

 

Isn't this a representation of christian in a positive light?  This is happening within the church.

[DaveW]

Not necessarily - it is what they were called - they were given the name by others watching.
The general community there would not have looked favourably upon these activities.

But it doesn't actually suggest either way - their actions noted them to the community as those who followed Christ, but the passage doesn't state or imply the attitude of those who so named them.

[GraceSaved]

1 Peter 4:16. They were calling themselves Christians.

[DaveW]

1 Peter 4:16. They were calling themselves Christians.

Different context, different time.

We also call ourselves Christians today - the question was whether or not the passage in Acts was complimentary or derogatory - there is no indication in the passage, it is just stated as fact.

In that, it is irrelevant whether it is positive or negative, it is simply a stated fact.

[Galations 2:20]

1 Peter 4:16. They were calling themselves Christians.

Great verse G.S.

 

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

[DaveW]

The real point of the passage in Acts is that the community saw by their manner and way of life that they followed Christ.
Whether the community thought that a good or bad thing makes little difference - they NOTICED THEM LIVING LIKE CHRIST.