“real Christians”

@divegeester said

@josephw said
There are Christians, and there are those that call themselves Christian

This was asserted in another thread by josephw.

If you think you are a “Christian”, as opposed to those who “call themselves Christians” how do you know and what are your differentiators?

A "real" Christian is one that is "born again". It's the only kind of Christian there is.

All others that "call" themselves Christian are imitation Christians. They go to church, say Christian things, smile at you, sometimes, sing hymns, put money in the offering basket, etc. etc. etc.

But they don't know God. When you talk to them about what the Bible says about God, his Son, the virgin birth, creation, the resurrection, the divinity of Jesus Christ, they deny what the scriptures say.

@josephw said
But they don't know God. When you talk to them about what the Bible says about God, his Son, the virgin birth, creation, the resurrection, the divinity of Jesus Christ, they deny what the scriptures say.

I don’t know any people who call themselves “Christian” and who, when I talk to them about “what the Bible says about God, his Son, the virgin birth, creation, the resurrection, the divinity of Jesus Christ” … they deny what the scriptures say.

Who here, or where you live does that?

@divegeester said
I don’t know any people who call themselves “Christian” and who, when I talk to them about “what the Bible says about God, his Son, the virgin birth, creation, the resurrection, the divinity of Jesus Christ” … they deny what the scriptures say.

Who here, or where you live does that?

If you want to know just google any of the dozens of surveys about what professing Christians believe in contrast to what the scriptures teach with regard to the essentials of Biblical doctrine.

A "born again" Christian, the only kind of Christian there is, believes what the scriptures teach.

John 3:7,8
Jesus said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Superficially, one can't tell who is a Christian until you start asking them what they believe. Read some of the surveys. You'd be surprised to learn how many people call themselves Christian, go to church and otherwise give the appearance of being "Christian", yet believe heretical doctrines.

@josephw said
If you want to know just google any of the dozens of surveys about what professing Christians believe in contrast to what the scriptures teach with regard to the essentials of Biblical doctrine.

A "born again" Christian, the only kind of Christian there is, believes what the scriptures teach.

John 3:7,8
Jesus said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born ag ...[text shortened]... o to church and otherwise give the appearance of being "Christian", yet believe heretical doctrines.

What a person believes is not a reason to accuse them of not being a “real Christian”.

According to the bible there is only one way to tell, and it’s not what you’ve quoted.

What you do is classify and judge people based on doctrine, and how their doctrine aligns with what you believe. It’s the first step to cultism.

@divegeester said
What a person believes is not a reason to accuse them of not being a “real Christian”.

According to the bible there is only one way to tell, and it’s not what you’ve quoted.

What you do is classify and judge people based on doctrine, and how their doctrine aligns with what you believe. It’s the first step to cultism.

It is precisely what a Christian believes that makes them a real Christian.

I don't think you know "according to the Bible" how to tell the difference between a real Christian and a phony Christian.

You're a fool if you think I think what one holds to doctrinally has to agree with my doctrine. That idea is idiotic. As I said, which your reading comprehension apparently cannot grasp, it's about believing what the word of God says that determines whether or not one is a real Christian.

Obviously you're so full of misinformation you're incapable of having a coherent discussion with. You're just too blinded by your own conceitedness.

@josephw said
It is precisely what a Christian believes that makes them a real Christian.

I don't think you know "according to the Bible" how to tell the difference between a real Christian and a phony Christian.

You're a fool if you think I think what one holds to doctrinally has to agree with my doctrine. That idea is idiotic. As I said, which your reading comprehension apparently ...[text shortened]... e incapable of having a coherent discussion with. You're just too blinded by your own conceitedness.

According to the Bible only way to tell a Christian is by their fruits, NOT by their beliefs.

The only thing which makes a person a real Christian is spiritual rebirth.

Feel free to prove me wrong.

@josephw said

Obviously you're so full of misinformation you're incapable of having a coherent discussion with. You're just too blinded by your own conceitedness.

And as usual, you are behaving like a mouthy blowhard.

@divegeester said
According to the Bible only way to tell a Christian is by their fruits, NOT by their beliefs.

The only thing which makes a person a real Christian is spiritual rebirth.

Feel free to prove me wrong.

"The only thing which makes a person a real Christian is spiritual rebirth".

That's what I've been saying all along. One "must be born again". That "spiritual rebirth" is all the work of God, NOT according to or works. That truth is proven by the salvation of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He did absolutely nothing in terms of a work, nor by any fruit in his life, but merely by his confession as an expression of faith in Jesus.

"According to the Bible only way to tell a Christian is by their fruits, NOT by their beliefs."

Certainly one that claims to be a Christian should exemplify Christian conduct and behavior. All of that is clearly detailed in the scriptures.

But it can be faked. One can look like a Christian, talk like a Christian and walk like a Christian, but if they are not born again they ain't a Christian.

And as important as "fruits" are to being a flourishing Christian, they don't save. Salvation is based on faith, not works.

There are many that claim to be Christian, but are not.

And I don't need to prove that to you.

@divegeester said
And as usual, you are behaving like a mouthy blowhard.

Why don't you just go and cherry pick the scriptures you want to believe, that fit your own perspective, and disregard the rest. Like the verses quoting God that say only God is God, and there are no others, they don't exist.

And while you're at it discard the verses that say creation is the evidence for both God's existence and the expression of his very nature and character.

YOU are the blowhard here.

@josephw said
"The only thing which makes a person a real Christian is spiritual rebirth".

That's what I've been saying all along. One "must be born again". That "spiritual rebirth" is all the work of God, NOT according to or works. That truth is proven by the salvation of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He did absolutely nothing in terms of a work, nor by any fruit in his ...[text shortened]...

There are many that claim to be Christian, but are not.

And I don't need to prove that to you.

I think you would appear to have more integrity if you just admitted that what doctrine or belief a person subscribes to is not indicated in the bible as defining them as a Christian.

Scripture ONLY cites “you shall know them by thier fruit” (Matt 7:15), and the fruit of the spirit cannot be faked. The fruit of the spirt is not “talking” like a Christian.

@josephw said
Why don't you just go and cherry pick the scriptures you want to believe, that fit your own perspective, and disregard the rest. Like the verses quoting God that say only God is God, and there are no others, they don't exist.

And while you're at it discard the verses that say creation is the evidence for both God's existence and the expression of his very nature and character.

YOU are the blowhard here.

You’re just angry because once again you have been easily shown to be wrong.

What a person believes does NOT make them a Christian, nor is it a way to recognise a Christian. That is the route to cultism.

@divegeester said
You’re just angry because once again you have been easily shown to be wrong.

What a person believes does NOT make them a Christian, nor is it a way to recognise a Christian. That is the route to cultism.

Not angry. That's just you projecting. I'm fine.

If a person doesn't believe in Jesus, they are not a Christian.
A person cannot be a Christian if they don't believe in Jesus.

Your logic is based in a faulty comprehension of scripture relative to salvation and being born again.

And you spend way to much time colluding with non-believers and not enough time in God's Word.

@josephw said

If a person doesn't believe in Jesus, they are not a Christian.
A person cannot be a Christian if they don't believe in Jesus.

Your logic is based in a faulty comprehension of scripture relative to salvation and being born again.

And you spend way to much time colluding with non-believers and not enough time in God's Word.

Now you’re being evasive.

Believing in Jesus isn’t a doctrine or a teaching, it’s fundamental faith. Pretending you don’t see this difference is a bit silly.

@josephw said
Your logic is based in a faulty comprehension of scripture relative to salvation and being born again.

Well I’ve just shown you to be wrong, so…

@josephw said
And you spend way to much time colluding with non-believers and not enough time in God's Word.

“Colluding”? What are you on about now!?

I know the bible at least as well as you, often better. Certainly in this thread anyway 😁