What makes a christian?

[Guest scrambled_brain]

Hey, once more i am putting forward another question i have been pondering fora while... Im sure it's probably come up before but ah well...

So I've been thinking about what I beleive and HOW I beleive in God.

Each denomination thinks that the way they beleive in christ is the right way to go about it... i.e. the difference between Catholics and Baptists... how can we be sure which one to follow... I personally started my church life in Baptist Churches and then onto the Kings church and similar christian meetings... my friend who is here with me is catholic... how can we beleive in the same god but go about it in totally different ways?

Scrambled.

[Yahsway]

Well, for starters, dont follow any denomination, they are all man made. Doctrines of men so to speak. Just follow the word of God, your bible. Ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance.

And, when or if you do find a congregation to attend, just make sure eveything coming from the pulpit can be lined up with the scriptures. Nothing added or taken away from them.

You said something about starting your "church life" in Baptist denominations and then moving on to Kings church(not sure what denomination that is). Thats all fine but what we really need as believers is a relationship with Jesus, not so much relationship with denominations.

As far as you and your friend who is Catholic believing in the same God and going about worshipping Him in different ways, its probably because You have been taught one way and Your friend has been taught another way.

But to find common ground as believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, You must not rely on anything but the scriptures. Do not rely on any man-made doctrine, set of beliefs, rituals, tradtions, and so forth.

The gospel is simple. It was designed that way. It points us to the very one who is the great Teacher (Rabbi) of all. It is all about Him. No one else. He is all thru Scripture from Gen-Rev. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and righteousness. Just ask Him to do that while you read scriptures togethere. You and Your friend.

You might find out you two have more in common scriptually than you know now.

Blessings

[Guest scrambled_brain]

Thanx for the reply I hadnt thought about denominations being a man-made thing before but it is really how i feel... i guess i just never thought about it enough to put it into words... does that make sense?

What if you dont read your bible often...? does this mean you arnt following the word properly? coz if you are reading reguarly it helps guide you better... is that what you mean?

Get back to us Scrambled.

[FaithfulFollower]

Scrambled_brain,

The question you ask is one to be given much thought as well as one to be sought out within God's word. The one truth lies within its very pages.

Denomination has been a question to fall upon many a believer's lips when it comes to the point of making a stand in faith. Indeed the church did go its separate ways, in the New Testament, I believe is where the church is first truly acknowledged as well as spoken of. For Jesus did tell his disciples to go out into the world and spread his word amongst the nations. To me, this was the beginning of the first churches worldwide. For at this point in time there appeared to no longer be the language gap seeing as the Holy Spirit had come to find its place upon the tongues of those who had followed Jesus.

It is also true that many a religion will claim their own to be that of the truth, and that their teachings are correct and the others wrong. To me, this is where all men begin their journey of falling short, though I am one to agree with Christians who claim that Christianity is the one true religion which could be supported by the verse below.

No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Unfortunately many of the religions out there do not follow the teachings of Christ, or do not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. This is why, it is my firm belief that Christianity is the one true religion. Though I am certain there are many others out there who are bound to disagree with me.

Forgive me if I have ruffled any feathers or preached to you for that is not my intention. This truly is a thought provoking post and a very interesting one as well. I do pray that God pours out his blessings upon you tenfold in your decision regarding your religious denomination.

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

[Yahsway]

Hey Scrambled B. Yes. You must read your bible often. Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father. He was talking about spiritual food.

And yes, it will help to guide you in everything you do.Now, I am not saying that you shouldnt find an assembly somewhere to go and worship God with other believers, because you should. We also need one another, to help lift up one another, to encourage and strengthen one another in His word.

Just be sure that whatever a man or woman teaches you about christianity, that it lines up with the scriptures. Okay? Blessings to You

[Orr v'emet]

Yahsway, that is excellent advice and I agree.

I grew up baptist as well but did not become a christian until college. Being part of a "denomination" in no way means you are a child of God, no more than being baptized at birth means you are a christian either.

Get in the word, fellowship with other believers, pray without ceasing...these are some things that will help you grow in spiritual maturity.

Let me also say again what Yahsway said. When you go to various churches and denominations, take what they say and compare it to scripture. If it doesn't line up, don't go there!

[Jedi4Yahweh]

Hey Scrambled B. Yes. You must read your bible often. Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father. He was talking about spiritual food.

And yes, it will help to guide you in everything you do.Now, I am not saying that you shouldnt find an assembly somewhere to go and worship God with other believers, because you should. We also need one another, to help lift up one another, to encourage and strengthen one another in His word.

Just be sure that whatever a man or woman teaches you about christianity, that it lines up with the scriptures. Okay? Blessings to You

Hi,

I agree that you need to read your bible but also understand that does not mean its spiritual food. If this was the case then the Pharisees and scribes would be most spiritual people of all but yet they could not understand spiritual things. People read the bible all the time but yet they are spiritually starved.

Spiritual bread comes by the Spirit from the Father. It comes by communing with the Father in the Spirit not by filling you mind with bible scriptures. I am not agaisnt reading and studing the bible but spiritual food is much deeper then that. The bible calls Jesus the Living word and now this living Word dwells in you by the Holy Spirit. The bible says the the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and will reveal to you the Father. Its not the letter that gives life but the Spirit.

God bless you hope you understand what I am talking about.

God bless,

[Orr v'emet]

Hey Scrambled B. Yes. You must read your bible often. Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father. He was talking about spiritual food.

And yes, it will help to guide you in everything you do.Now, I am not saying that you shouldnt find an assembly somewhere to go and worship God with other believers, because you should. We also need one another, to help lift up one another, to encourage and strengthen one another in His word.

Just be sure that whatever a man or woman teaches you about christianity, that it lines up with the scriptures. Okay? Blessings to You

Hi,

I agree that you need to read your bible but also understand that does not mean its spiritual food. If this was the case then the Pharisees and scribes would be most spiritual people of all but yet they could not understand spiritual things. People read the bible all the time but yet they are spiritually starved.

Spiritual bread comes by the Spirit from the Father. It comes by communing with the Father in the Spirit not by filling you mind with bible scriptures. I am not agaisnt reading and studing the bible but spiritual food is much deeper then that. The bible calls Jesus the Living word and now this living Word dwells in you by the Holy Spirit. The bible says the the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and will reveal to you the Father. Its not the letter that gives life but the Spirit.

God bless you hope you understand what I am talking about.

God bless,

I completely understand what you mean. Actually a thread God-Man started comes to mind about how bible reading and prayer go hand in hand. Anyone can read the bible and gain some type of intellectual knowledge about it but receiving a word from the Holy Spirit from the Word is quite different.

The post God-Man made on this subject is found in the study group forum titled "A Time With the Lord".

[Nero's Fiddle]

The Church contains every single born again believer in Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible.

I attend a Baptist church personally, and find it to be very Biblical. However, I am going to heaven because I accepted the free gift of salvation Jesus Christ offered to me when He died on the cross. No denomination could ever do that.

As to the majorly different denominations: Be very careful not to fall in with the "ecumenical crowd" . There is One Truth... His name is the Lord Jesus, and He revealed His nature to us in the Bible. We cannot sacrifice truth, even at the altar of tolerance.

Any denomination that does not preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He gave it to us in the Word of God is not a Christian denomination. (This is exemplified in Roman Catholocism, which teaches salvation by works rather than faith alone.)

That being said, our God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us while we were sinners and enemies of His. Even so, He commands us to love one another. If we believe someone is in error or darkness, we are to win them back to the Truth and Light lovingly and with great care for their souls.

One word about the written Word of God... it is vitally important! As I have stated, it is God's revelation of His truth and Himself. However, the mind of man cannot understand the things of God. It is only by the Holy Spirit, who lives within every born again believer, that we can know spiritually discerned things.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He is standing at the door of your heart and knocking. The Holy Spirit works now to convict you of your need for a Savior and to draw you to Him... but He does not dwell within you yet.

"For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish; but to us who are saved it is the power of God."

With all the love I have in Christ Jesus,

and He is coming quickly!

NF

[dwinkjr]

Well, for starters, dont follow any denomination, they are all man made. Doctrines of men so to speak. Just follow the word of God, your bible. Ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance.

And, when or if you do find a congregation to attend, just make sure eveything coming from the pulpit can be lined up with the scriptures. Nothing added or taken away from them.

You said something about starting your "church life" in Baptist denominations and then moving on to Kings church(not sure what denomination that is). Thats all fine but what we really need as believers is a relationship with Jesus, not so much relationship with denominations.

As far as you and your friend who is Catholic believing in the same God and going about worshipping Him in different ways, its probably because You have been taught one way and Your friend has been taught another way.

But to find common ground as believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, You must not rely on anything but the scriptures. Do not rely on any man-made doctrine, set of beliefs, rituals, tradtions, and so forth.

The gospel is simple. It was designed that way. It points us to the very one who is the great Teacher (Rabbi) of all. It is all about Him. No one else. He is all thru Scripture from Gen-Rev. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and righteousness. Just ask Him to do that while you read scriptures togethere. You and Your friend.

You might find out you two have more in common scriptually than you know now.

Blessings

Amen, Amen, Amen , and Amen!!!!!!!!