Apostolic definition of a "Christian"?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

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?

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.

[Michael The Disciple]

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

[Precis]

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?

[NewbieMisfits]

Originally Posted by Precis

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?

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?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

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?

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

[imreedemed]

Walking with Christ and holding hands with the devil

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Precis

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?

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.

[NewbieMisfits]

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...

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

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.

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.

[houston]

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