Kia ora Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Well obviously you can call yourself one, but how does a person know that they really are a Christian? Or is this just a silly question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 If you are a terrorist, you are automatically not a Christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kia ora Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 What about if you sin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faithcecelia Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, chosen to return His gift of free will to Him and asked Him to do what he wants with me. I have of course recieved and continue to recieve the sacraments as is right and appropriate as a Catholic, but for me the key one is the first - accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312035613' post='2278469']Well obviously you can call yourself one, but how does a person know that they really are a Christian? Or is this just a silly question?[/quote] Being baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is a good start.[quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312036304' post='2278474']What about if you sin.[/quote] I don't understand what you are asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kia ora Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1312039763' post='2278488'] Being baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is a good start.[/quote] I must learn more about baptism. I don't know what it is. Blame my boring Presbyterian childhood. To the Catechism! [quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1312039763' post='2278488'] I don't understand what you are asking. [/quote]Mr.CatholicCat said that if you are a terrorist, you are automatically not a Christian. Does that mean if you sin, you are also not a Christian? I don't think this is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312042454' post='2278509']Mr.CatholicCat said that if you are a terrorist, you are automatically not a Christian. Does that mean if you sin, you are also not a Christian? I don't think this is correct.[/quote] No, if you sin, you aren't 'disqualified' from being a Christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 A great place to start is with the Athanasian Creed. It was formulated to help combat the spread of the Arian Heresy in the 5th century. One of the earliest professions of faith and IMHO one of the best written to explain our belief in the Holy Trinity. If you believe this, and are baptized using the Trinitarian formula, you are a Christian: [color=#000000] 1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith;[/color] [color=#000000] 2. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.[/color] [color=#000000] 3. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;[/color] [color=#000000] 4. Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.[/color] [color=#000000] 5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.[/color] [color=#000000] 6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.[/color] [color=#000000] 7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.[/color] [color=#000000] 8. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.[/color] [color=#000000] 9. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.[/color] [color=#000000] 10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.[/color] [color=#000000] 11. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal.[/color] [color=#000000] 12. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.[/color] [color=#000000] 13. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty.[/color] [color=#000000] 14. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.[/color] [color=#000000] 15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God;[/color] [color=#000000] 16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.[/color] [color=#000000] 17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord;[/color] [color=#000000] 18. And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord.[/color] [color=#000000] 19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord;[/color] [color=#000000] 20. So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say; There are three Gods or three Lords.[/color] [color=#000000] 21. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.[/color] [color=#000000] 22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.[/color] [color=#000000] 23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.[/color] [color=#000000] 24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.[/color] [color=#000000] 25. And in this Trinity none is afore or after another; none is greater or less than another.[/color] [color=#000000] 26. But the whole three persons are coeternal, and coequal.[/color] [color=#000000] 27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.[/color] [color=#000000] 28. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.[/color] [color=#000000] 29. Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.[/color] [color=#000000] 30. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man.[/color] [color=#000000] 31. God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of substance of His mother, born in the world.[/color] [color=#000000] 32. Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.[/color] [color=#000000] 33. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.[/color] [color=#000000] 34. Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ.[/color] [color=#000000] 35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of that manhood into God.[/color] [color=#000000] 36. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.[/color] [color=#000000] 37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ;[/color] [color=#000000] 38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;[/color] [color=#000000] 39. He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty;[/color] [color=#000000] 40. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.[/color] [color=#000000] 41. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;[/color] [color=#000000] 42. and shall give account of their own works.[/color] [color=#000000] 43. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.[/color] [color=#000000] 44. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.[/color][quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312036304' post='2278474'] What about if you sin. [/quote] Jesus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312042454' post='2278509']Mr.CatholicCat said that if you are a terrorist, you are automatically not a Christian. Does that mean if you sin, you are also not a Christian? I don't think this is correct.[/quote]I was being very sarcastic when I wrote that. Please excuse me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixpence Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 you know ur a christian when you believe in the nicene/apostles creed and then start attempting to act like you do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinitelord1 Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312035613' post='2278469'] Well obviously you can call yourself one, but how does a person know that they really are a Christian? Or is this just a silly question? [/quote] I personally believe that you become a Christian in your Baptism. I think that it is possible that you can be a Christian and be an Atheist at the same time. In this case, the person was probably Baptized as an Infant, and grew up without very much knowledge of the Catholic Faith.....or they just rejected it. In your Baptism you receive the "Mark of Christ" which is the opposite of the "Mark of the Beast" found in Revelation. Furthermore, just because you are a Christian does not guarantee that you will go to Heaven. Sin is what prevents that from happening. And Mortal Sin sends you to hell. If you die without out repentance and in a state of Mortal Sin...you will go to hell even if you are a Christian. Edited July 30, 2011 by infinitelord1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Honestly... I identify a Christian based on their faith, hope, and charity. Special importance on hope and charity. Intellectual obedience does not make someone a Christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrestia Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Mr.CatholicCat' timestamp='1312049204' post='2278548']Honestly... I identify a Christian based on their faith, hope, and charity. Special importance on hope and charity. Intellectual obedience does not make someone a Christian.[/quote] Can a person be a Christian without obedience? IMHO, it takes faith, not intellect, to be obedient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Cat Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Adrestia' timestamp='1312049968' post='2278551']Can a person be a Christian without obedience? IMHO, it takes faith, not intellect, to be obedient.[/quote]Well... the only demonstrable method that the Bible provides to identify a Christian is Mark 16:17-18. Because love and faith are rather abstract terms. "[i]And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.[/i]" Do you believe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 [quote name='Kia ora' timestamp='1312035613' post='2278469'] Well obviously you can call yourself one, but how does a person know that they really are a Christian? Or is this just a silly question? [/quote] If you have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - you are a Christian, whether you act like it or not is immaterial. Baptism cannot be lost or revoked, it is a permanent change in your soul. If you are not baptized in this way you are not a christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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