Post by MrBen on Apr 22, 2005 3:10:23 GMT -5
What does it mean to be a Christian? Does Church-go'er = Christian? (Does McDonald's-go'er = Big Mac?) hmm... Among other things Webster defines the word as meaning "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ". But like James said, even the demons believe! (So are they Christians?)
And just which Jesus are we believing in here? The Mormons have their own "Jesus" they know as Satan's brother, and sometimes, we are greeted on behalf of a Jesus understood to be the Archangel Michael (Jehovah's Witness). Then there's the Jesus of those people who claim to know Him but go around hating Jews and stuff. All they all wrong? Can they all be right?
I agree with Peter, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).* He the one who gave us John 3:16, the golden rule, and all them red letters. He's the perfect model of morality.
That's the Jesus I believe in, but what makes me a Christian, is that I follow Him (not perfectly) too. Anybody see it differently? What do you think? What does the word "Christian" mean to you?
*(In church-speak: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is truly God and truly man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was sinless, yet He gave His life for the sins of the world by dying on the cross in accordance with the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and is our great High Priest and Advocate. He alone can restore the relationship of mankind to God. (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Hebrews 1:1-4)
(borrowed from www.tpcc.org/statement.html)
And just which Jesus are we believing in here? The Mormons have their own "Jesus" they know as Satan's brother, and sometimes, we are greeted on behalf of a Jesus understood to be the Archangel Michael (Jehovah's Witness). Then there's the Jesus of those people who claim to know Him but go around hating Jews and stuff. All they all wrong? Can they all be right?
I agree with Peter, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).* He the one who gave us John 3:16, the golden rule, and all them red letters. He's the perfect model of morality.
That's the Jesus I believe in, but what makes me a Christian, is that I follow Him (not perfectly) too. Anybody see it differently? What do you think? What does the word "Christian" mean to you?
*(In church-speak: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is truly God and truly man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was sinless, yet He gave His life for the sins of the world by dying on the cross in accordance with the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and is our great High Priest and Advocate. He alone can restore the relationship of mankind to God. (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18-25; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Hebrews 1:1-4)
(borrowed from www.tpcc.org/statement.html)