Identifying someone as a Christian typically involves beliefs and practices based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, the term "Christian" is mentioned in Acts 11:26, where it describes followers of Jesus in Antioch. Christians are characterized by their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and their commitment to living according to His teachings. A. Biblical references that define Christian beliefs and practices include:* 1. Faith in Jesus. John 3:16 emphasizes belief in Jesus as the Savior, and Romans 10:9-10 speaks of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. 2. Love and compassion. Jesus taught love for God and others in Matthew 22:37-39 and demonstrated compassion in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). 3. Repentance and forgiveness. Acts 2:38 calls for repentance, while Jesus exemplified forgiveness in His interactions with others, such as the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). 4. Discipleship and following Jesus' teachings. Jesus urged his disciples to take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Matthew 5-7 contains the Sermon on the Mount, which outlines essential teachings for Christians. 5. Baptism. Christians practice water baptism as a symbol of their faith and commitment (Matthew 28:19). 6. Gathering for worship and fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to gather together for encouragement and worship. B. Christianity and Sin. 1. Does one ceases to be a Christian when he falls in Sin and repent? No, a Christian does not cease to be called a Christian when they fall into sin and repent. Christianity acknowledges that all humans are prone to sin, and repentance is a fundamental aspect of the faith. Through repentance and seeking forgiveness, a Christian can restore their relationship with God and continue to identify as a Christian. An example can be found in Peter, one of Jesus' disciples. Despite his strong faith, he denied Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 26:69-75). However, after realizing his mistake and repenting, he continued to be a faithful follower of Christ (Acts 2:14-41). Many more examples can be given in the New Testament. 2. Does a christian ceases to be called a Christian when he live in sin? Yes, until he or she repents. In 1 John 3:9 - "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God." In Romans 6:1-2 - "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Hebrews 10:26 in the Bible states: "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." This verse suggests that if someone knowingly and deliberately continues to sin after they have received knowledge of the truth and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there may be no more forgiveness for their sins. It emphasizes the importance of living a life in accordance with the teachings of the faith and not willfully persisting in sinful behavior These passages highlight the idea that followers of Christ strive to avoid sin and live a transformed life through the power of God's grace. It's essential to remember that Christianity emphasizes forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. When a Christian falls into sin, they can seek forgiveness and restoration through repentance and faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice. However, living in willful, unrepentant sin without any desire for change might challenge the authenticity of one's faith and commitment to follow Christ's teachings hence at this situation such individual may cease to identify himself or herself as a Christian and cannot be called a Christian until he/she repent from such sins. We would appreciate your efforts if you could spend few minutes to browse through our Product pages from great collections to be delivered to your delivery address, directly from United States of America, Europe and Asia. 1. Baby and kids collections store. 2. Apparel Accessories Store. 3. Car Accessories Store. 4. Electronic Accessories Store. 5. General Store. Thank you for your reading time and also doing business with https://gbsprime.com
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