What are the observable earmarks of a Christian? (doctrine, church, Antichrist)
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What are the most observable earmarks of "Christianity" to the world, and where is the source of those earmarks, and what is the consequence of these benchmarks?
1. Christmas
Christmas and its date were determined at the Council of Nicaea, which was convened and chaired by the Roman Emperor Constantine.
2. Easter
Easter and its date were determined at the Council of Nicaea, which was convened and chaired by the Roman Emperor Constantine.
3. Sunday service
Sunday, as the day of rest, was instituted by Constantine in 321 A.D. by decree to glorify his Sun god, Sol Invictus.
4. The Trinity Doctrine
Constantine convened the Council with the main purpose of coming to a conclusion on the Trinity question, but the question wasn't formally finalized until the emperor Theodosius made his decree in 380 AD
6. The glorification of St. Peter, later to be declared the Pontifex Maximus, and head of the Roman church.
Constantine, the Pontifex Maximus of the pagan and "Christian" church, built a basilica for Peter's glory.
Trinity
On 27 February 380, together with Gratian and Valentinian II, Theodosius issued the decree "Cunctos populos", the so-called "Edict of Thessalonica", recorded in the Codex Theodosianusxvi.1.2. This declared the NiceneTrinitarian Christianity to be the only legitimate Imperial religion and the only one entitled to call itself Catholic. Other Christians he described as "foolish madmen". He also ended official state support for the traditional Polytheism religions and customs.[
On 26 November 380, two days after he had arrived in Constantinople, Theodosius expelled the non-Nicene bishop, Demophilus of Constantinople, and appointed Meletius patriarch of Antioch, and Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers from Antioch (today in Turkey), patriarch of Constantinople. Theodosius had just been baptized, by bishop Acholius of Thessalonica, during a severe illness, as was common in the early Christian world.]citation needed[/
In May 381, Theodosius summoned a new ecumenical council at Constantinople (see First Council of Constantinople) to repair the schism between East and West on the basis of Nicean orthodoxy.[ "The council went on to define orthodoxy, including the mysterious Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who, though equal to the Father, 'proceeded' from Him, whereas the Son was 'begotten' of Him."[ The council also "condemned the Apollonarian and Macedonian heresies, clarified jurisdictions of the state church of the Roman Empire according to the civil boundaries of dioceses and ruled that Constantinople was second in precedence to Rome."[ The death of Valens, the Arians' protector, probably damaged the standing of the Homoian faction. Theodosius I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There is no virtue in loving other people with similar beliefs. The idea of "Christian brother" when John wrote it was a new idea which meant that you loved ALL MEN because they were your spiritual brothers.
Most "Christians" today are extremely hateful compared to the general population, so they are actually false antichrists.
There is no virtue in loving other people with similar beliefs. The idea of "Christian brother" when John wrote it was a new idea which meant that you loved ALL MEN because they were your spiritual brothers.
Most "Christians" today are extremely hateful compared to the general population, so they are actually false antichrists.
Those who ascribe to the exclusivist doctrine are indeed anti-Christ in their beliefs.
John laid it out quite simply in 1 John. These are the three earmarks or signs of true Christians;the truth or belief test, the love test and the moral or obedience test.
Truth (Belief) Test- Belief Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that he came in the flesh.
Love Test- John stressed brotherly love as evidence of abiding in the light, being a child of God, having passed from death to life.
Moral (Obedience) Test- Necessary for fellowship with the Father, knowing Jesus, loving God, abiding in Jesus, answered prayer. It is essential for loving the children of God and loving God Himself.
Regarding brotherly love, the context of 1 John 3:13-17 is clearly talking to believers regarding believers, Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 out of 3, or 2 out of 3 won't cut it. Belief, Love and Obedience working together within us is necessary for us to be true Christians.
Their "love of God and each other" daily and their repenting when they don't.
Dear mystic,
Which forum do I need to go to to see this "love of God and each other"? And where do I go to see this repenting, and what is the meaning of "repenting", and how can the world see a glipse into your hidden world?
John laid it out quite simply in 1 John. These are the three earmarks or signs of true Christians;the truth or belief test, the love test and the moral or obedience test.
Truth (Belief) Test- Belief Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that he came in the flesh.
Love Test- John stressed brotherly love as evidence of abiding in the light, being a child of God, having passed from death to life.
Moral (Obedience) Test- Necessary for fellowship with the Father, knowing Jesus, loving God, abiding in Jesus, answered prayer. It is essential for loving the children of God and loving God Himself.
Regarding brotherly love, the context of 1 John 3:13-17 is clearly talking to believers regarding believers, Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 out of 3, or 2 out of 3 won't cut it. Belief, Love and Obedience working together within us is necessary for us to be true Christians.
Dear pastor Al,
Belief in what? Love how? and Obedience to what?
I looked at 1 John 2:4, and it said that anyone who says they know him, and do not keep his commandments is a liar. 1 John 3:7 says that no one born of God practices sin,..because he cannot sin because the seed abides in him. "The one who practices sin is of the devil". When the young man, who owned much property asked Yeshua which commandments to keep, Yeshua gave a straight forward answer in Mt 19:18-19. Is this still the case, or has your church nailed these commandments to the cross?
As the pope declared he was foremost among sinners and a thief resides in his heart, is he of God, or of the devil? As the pope was competing with his father Paul, is Paul of God or of the devil? As the world sees the Pope on the world stage, should the pope return his stolen property as part of what you refer to as repentence? Pope Confesses He Stole Priest's Cross from Casket - NBC News
There are no "earmarks" or "benchmarks" of being a Christian. The only thing that God requires of Christians is belief, faith and devotion to Jesus Christ as His one and only Son, who came to earth, lived a sinless life and was sacrificed on the Cross so that we may have eternal life.
That's it. Being a good person doesn't make you a Christian. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian. Loving others doesn't make you a Christian. Studying the Bible doesn't make you a Christian. Feeding the poor and caring for the sick doesn't make you a Christian. Celebrating Christmas or Easter DOES NOT MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN.
However, if you are a Christian ... you'll truly be compelled to do all those things above, not out of obligation or duty or hope of scoring points with God -- but because you love HIM and want to honor and serve HIM.
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What are the observable earmarks of a Christian?
