a Christian…
- – believes in the triunity of the one true God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
- – believes that the Bible is the Word of God and that it is true
- – believes that Mary, being a virgin, conceived of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ
- – believes that all mankind has sinned and that sin has separated man from God
- – does not desire to continue living a lifestyle of unrepentant sin
- – believes that there is nothing that can be done to earn eternal life by human effort
- – believes that Jesus died on the cross to take upon Himself the just punishment for our sins
- – believes that Jesus rose from the dead
- – believes that Jesus offers eternal life to anyone that places personal faith in Him
- – has eternal life because he has placed his faith personally in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior
- – has experienced a new life as a result of that personal faith (true faith produces works)
- – desires to live in obedience to God
Some Catholics, some Protestants, and some Orthodox are true Christians…
but not all Catholics, all Protestants, or all Orthodox are true Christians.
This is because many have been born into these groups and continue in them because of tradition, but have never experienced a true, life-changing faith in Christ.
Others are very liberal and do not obey the Bible, nor have they ever read it, and they have never experienced a true life-changing faith in Christ either.
HOWEVER
Some Catholics, some Protestants, and some Orthodox are true Christians because they have placed personal faith in Jesus Christ. They believe that He died on the cross and rose from the dead to save them personally. They have repented of their sinful lifestyle and have personally invited Jesus to come into their life to forgive their sin and save them from eternal damnation. This true faith results in a changed life.
Everyone should do a self-evaluation of his/her own life.
Going to a particular church will never save anyone, nor will changing to a particular church save anyone. Not even repeating a prayer can in any way save a person from their sin. Salvation is an act of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God’s forgiveness is an act of grace that we cannot earn or deserve.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
Behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NKJV)