Just wondering...

[The_GreyPilgrim]

I asked this question during our Church History study tonight and considering that they were all Catholics I got some really interesting answers so I’d thought I’d ask it here.

I would ask my fellow Catholic Christians to refrain from responding for now. I primarily want to hear from our Protestant/evangelical/fundamentalist brothers and sisters.

Here’s the question: How do you know that you are a Christian?

 

[JonNC]

I asked this question during our Church History study tonight and considering that they were all Catholics I got some really interesting answers so I’d thought I’d ask it here.

I would ask my fellow Catholic Christians to refrain from responding for now. I primarily want to hear from our Protestant/evangelical/fundamentalist brothers and sisters.

Here’s the question: How do you know that you are a Christian?

1. I am baptized, by which I have recieved forgiveness of sin.
2. I have received that, by grace through faith, and not of my own actions or works, that I am justified.
3. Like Peter, I confess that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God
4. I recognize that I am a sinful being, and that I must repent, confess my sins, receive absolution, and continue to try to work harder to live the life He calls me to live. Additionally, seek out the means of grace, through word and sacrament, recognizing that these are the means by which the Holy Spirit strengthens me in His ways unto eternal life.

There are other things.

Jon

 

[Juliebug108]

1. I am baptized, by which I have received forgiveness of sin.
2. Like Peter, I confess that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God
3. I recognize that I am a sinful being, and that I must repent, confess my sins, receive absolution, and continue to try to work harder to live the life He calls me to live. Additionally, seek out the means of grace, through word and sacrament, recognizing that these are the means by which the Holy Spirit strengthens me in His ways unto eternal life.

Your number 2 wasn’t quite what I believe…

To the OP, I know I’m a Christian because I confess that:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.

 

[JonNC]

Your number 2 wasn’t quite what I believe…

To the OP, I know I’m a Christian because I confess that:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.

Hi Julie,
I, too, thought about mentioning the three creeds.

What is it about #2 that you don’t quite believe. Perhaps a rephrasing from the Joint Declaration: Together we confess: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works

Jon