What makes a christian?

[AnotherTraveler]

how can we beleive in the same god but go about it in totally different ways?

We can't, it's my way or the highway!

Actually, I really think that there are stages of understanding and we often feel comfortable with those that are like us, but there is no need to follow anyone but the Lord.

Read your bible, pray, and do what Jesus is leading you to do.

[ann2]

Excellant advice anothertravler,i agree 100%.

[JesusisGod2]

Hello Scrambled,

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?

This makes a lot of sense, many in their search for God stumble into a church who proceeds to tell them how they should view God. Now attending church is important, but so is the church you attend! Not so much denomination. You want to find a church that worships God and preaches Christ and Him Crusified.

This is why it is important to search the scriptures and let the Holy Spirit guide you into the truth, He will reveal Jesus to you, this is something that man is incapable to do. Only God can reveal God.

Jesus showed the importance of this in the following Quote:

John 8

31  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Jesus tells us that if we are to be deciples of His, we need to be in His word (the bible), and we will know the truth, and by the truth of Gods word we will be set free.

The truth being that Jesus died for our sins, and was buried, and was ressurected from the dead, alive forever more, that Jesus is God, He is our Savior, He is the way into the Kingdom of Heaven, He is our escape from the lake of fire and eternal judgement.

We can share our experiences of God and what God has revealed to us with others, But only God can reveal Himself to man.

So if God is revealing Himself to you, and it sounds to me like He is, then answer the call, get in prayer and ask Him into your heart if you havent already, (same with your friend), ask forgiveness for your sin, get into His word and get to know Him, ask Gods Spirit to guide you into the truth, and ask God to lead you to a church that worships Him in spirit and truth.

And then go searching for a church home, fellowship is important in your growth as well. It may not be the first church you walk into, and dont ask me how, but when you walk into the church God wants you in, you will know it.

What if you dont read your bible often...? does this mean you arnt following the word properly?

The reason we read Gods word is to get to know God. When we read the bible, the Holy Spirit draws from what we read and uses what we have learned to guide us to and reveal the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the author of the scriptures, the men who wrote it are merely the pens.

So to answer this question, I would have to say you need to read the scriptures daily and you yourself will see that God uses His word to cause your growth in Him, by it He will reveal Himself to you and will beckon you to follow, you cant follow what you dont know.

coz if you are reading reguarly it helps guide you better... is that what you mean?

Get back to us Scrambled.

It not only guides you, it helps you to get to know Him! The scriptures will reveal the Lord Jesus to you, The scriptures will help you get to know God! To get to know Him not only as your Savior but as your friend and as your Lord.

I encourage you to read daily and ask God in prayer before you read to reveal the truth of His word, I guareentee that He will

[artsylady]

I think God allowed the many denominations because we are all individuals who have different personality traits.

An elderly gentleman may not be much more comfortable in an old Presbyterian church and may find the drums and loud music of a Pentecostal church bothersome.

I'm sure there are more examples in the differences of scripture and how they relate to the personalities of people and the church they call home, but I don't know much about the different denominations and how they differ. I don't care that much so i've never looked into it that much.

I think you should go where you feel God is leading you to go. There will be a peace and comfort level if you seek Him and His will first.

[artsylady]

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.

very important.

[artsylady]

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,

Yes, this is wrong. The differenees that separate us are 'disputable matters', which Romans 14 addresses and therefore lie in opinions (I think) , so they need not even be discussed. imho.

[artsylady]

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

Actually, I think Jesus said it better than Witness Lee when He taught us how to pray.

I think the post in the study forum has a lot of things that have been arbitrarily added and are not in scripture.

[artsylady]

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

Actually, I think Jesus said it better than Witness Lee when He taught us how to pray.

I think the post in the study forum has a lot of things that have been arbitrarily added and are not in scripture.

[artsylady]

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.16

[artsylady]

I'm sorry to disagree, but I can't just let a newcomer go over to that forum and be, what I believe, is mislead.

We have to take a look at scripture. Again, what Christ has said supercedes what any man has said or will ever say.

The chanting from verses arbitrarily taken from a few lines from different scriptures for 30 minutes, while blocking out knowledge? Where did God tell us to do that? If any of this can be supported through God's word, then I'll take a second look. The only truth can be revealed in scripture.