Thread: The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
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The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 29 Jun, 2010 09:03 PM
There is a term "the essentials of the faith".
It means the bare minimum that another person would have to sign off on before you would consider them a Brother or sister in Christ.
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits and you can NOT pretend that Christianity is whatever you want it to be.
There are many false religions that make a claim to some kind of connection to Jesus. Islam says Jesus was a prophet, some sects of Hinduism say this also.
And if you are being honest with the Text of the Bible, you need to get your definition of what a Christian is, from the Bible itself.
I know some Christians who have a long list of things you must believe before they would consider you a Christian.
I try to keep my list as short as the Bible allows, in the interest of unity.
But even then you will be drawing a line, and plenty of groups who claim to be Christian will be on the other side of that line.
For instance, say my essentials of the faith are:
1. Repent
2. Trust in Jesus ALONE for salvation.
Well, that right there puts the following groups OUTSIDE your definition of Christianity:
a. Mormons, who believe in faith plus works.
b. Roman Catholics, for the same reason.
c. Oneness Pentecostals, for the same reason.
d. Jehovah's Witnesses, for the same reason!
I know we live in a time when we are not supposed to draw lines, but Scripture draws lines, and we need to draw them in the same place.
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 09:15 AM
Anyone that does not Love PJ is wrong.
PJ:You keep posting your understanding of the Word;We will continue to beseech the Lord to give you Wisdom, and Understanding.
There is not one person on this site,or within the Body of Yeshua which did not begin as PJ.
We all began with crawling,then standing and falling,then walking,Yet while walking we ALL still stumble and fall,yet the Lord lifts us up,and enables us to go forward.
We all needed to be spoon-fed at one time.
Now that some of us are growing,even eating some meat;let's not look down upon those needing to be spoon fed.
Lets ask the Lord to raise them up,teaching them to walk by faith and begining to eat solid food.
Lets ask ABBA to use us within their lives,being instruments to encourage them unto Love,Faith and Good deeds.
Luk 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
Luk 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Luk 6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Luk 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the twig that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the forest that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the forest out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the twig that is in thy brother's eye.
What i have written applies first to myself;
Sometimes I have a whole forest in my eye,not just a twig.
I hope everyone has a Blessed and safe weekend this 4th of July
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 11:00 AM
Anyone cannot accept John 3:16 in its entirety, as it is proclaimed, cannot instruct anyone concerning the things of the lord.
It matters not if anyone thinks I know what I am taking about I know the author of this word and his faithfullnes to his word The Truth,but when boast when I boast it is only because of my union in him and who he is, and he is not a lie,
Any man woman or child can believe that scripture and receive the promise of it if they do it from the heart in faith.
Concerning the meat of the word, one would need to drink of the milk first that they might grow thereby
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 11:00 AM
Anyone cannot accept John 3:16 in its entirety, as it is proclaimed, cannot instruct anyone concerning the things of the lord.
It matters not if anyone thinks I know what I am taking about I know the author of this word and his faithfullnes to his word The Truth,but when boast when I boast it is only because of my union in him and who he is, and he is not a lie,
Any man woman or child can believe that scripture and receive the promise of it if they do it from the heart in faith.
Concerning the meat of the word, one would need to drink of the milk first that they might grow thereby
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 12:34 PM
I voted for Nader!! I hate everyone!!(Just kidding)
Anyway...I think the only essential we need is, "Do they believe Jesus died for their sins?". That's the definition of a "Christian" in my opinion. Do they believe in Christ as the Son of God? Yes? Then they're my brother/sister. We should try not to judge Christians based on any other beliefs because we don't know where they are, or where they're going. God may have great things in store for them and they just aren't there yet. If you think that as soon as you accept God that you suddenly have all truth, then you'd be mistaken. If you think one group of Christians are the only ones that will make it, you'd be mistaken again. We grow as Christians, God leads us into all truth. Maybe a Catholic/Adventist/Baptist/"Reformed"(As in, you're done reforming?:laugh:) doesn't have all truth, but God is leading them and you're making their life miserable instead of helping them walk? I do believe there is a point where a growing christian makes a choice to ignore truth that God brings to them and they stop growing. That would be someone who chooses to continue in unbelief, but it's also impossible to tell when that happens too. So my opinion would be to let anyone that truly believes in Christ's sacrifice to be under God's judgment and not ours.
There are a few denominations I have problems with just because their error should be so obvious. Like my catholic brothers defending "reverencing" idols or "saints". I've been in catholic churches and I've seen them bowing down and praying to these figures. Even living Angels that are perfect and have never sinned did not want "bowing down","worship", or "reverence". My Grandma is always sharing stories of her fellow Catholics that bury little statues of some "saint" in the yard of a house they're trying to sell or something. I think she's trying to convert me:laugh:. I believe that it is so obviously against the bible that it should be spoken out against. Just like a church that condones homosexuality. Just like any other open sin. Anyway, as far as "the church is the source of truth" thing...that sure sounds like "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men". Did God tell you to reverence idols? Who did? Somebody must have said it was "ok", and it sure wasn't the bible.
BUT! Speaking out against error is not the same as saying "they aren't saved". Just want to make that distinction for everyone here. You can disagree and try to teach without calling someone's salvation into question. God's truth will win out in the lives of the people that are trying to be following Him, and you never know "how many years down the road" it will take before what you said and how you treated them sinks into their mind. Anyway. Try not to step into God's place. I'm pretty sure a lot of the battles on here could be avoided if we could stick to that principle.
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 12:43 PM
I just got back Sir James, That is not me,ok. I believe in the Father- Son- Holy Spirit. The triune God, just for the record I listen only to my church that I attend.I have found early on in my faith that some guys change every couple of years on TV what they believe.
The Word "Christianity" has a definition and limits!
Posted : 3 Jul, 2010 09:47 PM
Dennis,
It has branched off to other new denominations as well. I is gaining in popularity every day. People are starved for the truth and willing to follow anything that sounds good. This is an indication that our churches are failing to do their jobs.
