Would you call yourself a Christian?

[Caissie]

I have a friend that asked me this question. It looked like he was bothered that I would at times call myself a Christian (sometimes depending on what mood I am in, I'll call myself a Hebrew, or let that person define what he means first). He then said that the "Christian" god is not YHWH (basically because the avg Christian does not keep the law of YHWH).

Anyway, I was just curious what the avg Messianic Jew would call themselves when asked, "Are you a Christian"?

One more thing....IMO the Messianic Jews (on average) are the most informed group in the Christian Forums, so I would like to know what you think about 'sacred name' groups? I know there are probably many...but can you tell me of your experiences with them and what you concluded about them?

[Athaliamum]

No, I would not call myself christian.

[praiseyhvh]

No, I would not call myself a Christian either. And I agree with Athaliamum on what she said. I know little of any sacred groups though.

[shalominyeshua]

Even before I knew what Messianic was, I didn't call myself a Christian. The term is used so loosely. I often wonder if I worship the same God as many "Christians" that I know. As for the scared name group, I really don't know much about them.

[visionary]

Depends on the conversation, and why I was asked. If someone is looking for controversy when they ask, I say "I am a believer." Then they usually try to pick at what I believe and thus gives me an in for witnessing. If God blesses the encounter, they give up the antagonistic approach and get earnest about the questions that have been on their heart and have found christianity lacking to speak to that part of their soul. Once they find the many things in common, they are more confortable with the differences.

[stone]

a christian is a person that knows Y-shua is the messiah

[BoazB]

I prefer to use the term "a believer". The reason for me is that there are hordes of people who call themselves Christian and live anything, but what represents Yeshua: Philippians 2v5-8. Sometimes the behaviour of others can be so embarrasing to me as "a believer".

I remember somebody saying they were ripped off by a firm that had a icthus (fish) on it's door.

My elderly parents went to the shop, and a guy in a brown VW minibus left a brown streak along their car door. My dad waited for the guy, who said it wasn't them and that my dad must forgive!! The irony was that it was a Muslim panelbeater who had done jobs for us that fixed it up for free. The brown vw minibus had a fish on it!

I think also it makes it sound more personal, than these guys who give that as an answer as to what is their "religion". (Like we had on the back of our dog tags.)

I am even cautious about using the term "brother". If they do the will of Him who sent Yeshua, then so be it.
I can only be joined with those who are in that category.

[praiseyhvh]

a christian is a person that knows Y-shua is the messiah
I think of a "christian" as being a Gentile who believes in Yeshua but the term is used so loosely these days.

[Shimshon]

I am called a Christian by those who know Messiah through the Church, and I have no problem with this because it is their custom to call someone who has received the gift of grace through faith that Messiah offers a Christian. This is the term they use to convey someone who is 'Messiah' like. Which is the original meaning for the usage. One who believes in who Yeshua was and is and what he will and is doing for us. Namely the purification of our souls by the indwelling of the holy spirit.

It was in antioch that they were first called 'Christians'. Or little Christs. And yes, it was ment as derogatory statement. But it was the start of the term that would define believers in Messiah, Christ. A term to describe goyim who were coming to God and becoming his children.

When I go to Church and fellowship with Christians I call them by such a name and I refer to myself as one too. Because to them this is the most understood term.

When I go to Shul and fellowship with Messianics I call them by such a name and I refer to myhself as one too. Because to us this is the most understood term, of one who has become a child of God.

1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has lavished on us in letting us be called God's children! For that is what we are.

Even Shaul was flexible in this.

1 Cor 9:20 That is, with Jews, what I did was put myself in the position of a Jew, in order to win Jews. With people in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah, I put myself in the position of someone under such legalism, in order to win those under this legalism, even though I myself am not in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah.21 With those who live outside the framework of Torah, I put myself in the position of someone outside the Torah in order to win those outside the Torah - although I myself am not outside the framework of God's Torah but within the framework of Torah as upheld by the Messiah. 22 With the "weak" I became "weak," in order to win the "weak." With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them. 23 But I do it all because of the rewards promised by the Good News, so that I may share in them along with the others who come to trust.


To people here in America, i'm an American. Yet, to my ancestors i'm a Hebrew, a Rican, and a Dutch man. To our Lord I am his child, and having been blessed with his Spirit I am 'like' him.

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, we are God's children now; and it has not yet been made clear what we will become. We do know that when he appears, we will be like him; because we will see him as he really is.

Messiah-like, Christ-like, this is the basic meaning of these terms. And it comes from the belief that we are in union, married to Messiah. He opens our minds to his revelations and commands through the Spirit he has blessed us with. So that when he appears we will be 'like' him and will see him as he really is.

I know many who call themselves Christian who believe this, as well as many who call themselves Messianic.

I refer to myself as a Christian when I am around Christians, and I refer to myself as a Messianic when I am around Messianics. To Jews, I have Jewish ancestors, to greeks, I have gentile blood as well, and am like them. To a lost person I am a religious nut, to an orthodox Rabbi I am a goy.

With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them.

I personally do not find any validity in the sacred name theology. It is another wall of partition. To believe that God can only reach you, or hear you if you speak the right language, or have the proper blood line (2 house).

Ro 14:17 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=ro+14:17&version=cjb&st=1&sd=1&new=1&showtools=1) for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.
1Co 4:20 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=1co+4:20&version=cjb&st=1&sd=1&new=1&showtools=1)For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but of power.

[StormSeeker]

I prefer to use the term "a believer". The reason for me is that there are hordes of people who call themselves Christian and live anything, but what represents Yeshua: Philippians 2v5-8. Sometimes the behaviour of others can be so embarrasing to me as "a believer".

I remember somebody saying they were ripped off by a firm that had a icthus (fish) on it's door.

My elderly parents went to the shop, and a guy in a brown VW minibus left a brown streak along their car door. My dad waited for the guy, who said it wasn't them and that my dad must forgive!! The irony was that it was a Muslim panelbeater who had done jobs for us that fixed it up for free. The brown vw minibus had a fish on it!

I think also it makes it sound more personal, than these guys who give that as an answer as to what is their "religion". (Like we had on the back of our dog tags.)

I am even cautious about using the term "brother". If they do the will of Him who sent Yeshua, then so be it.
I can only be joined with those who are in that category.

:amen::amen::amen:

That is exactly right. I have witnessed the same thing about so called Christians. I prefer Ma Ameniem (the believers) as well. We should always becareful of who we call brother and who we choose to bless.

If there is something that I think people should be more aware of is how they use blessings- we are so loose with blessings today. A common refrain I hear is "God Bless"- on answering machines particularly. This to me is wrong. How do you know who you are blessing without walking with this person in faith. God Bless--- who? what? where? This to me is too loose of a way to dsipense the blessing of the Lord. The scriputes show the men of God using blessings carefully and specifically.

Good post- comes after my own heart.

[Athaliamum]

a christian is a person that knows Y-shua is the messiah

Well, I guess that's the problem as to why I don't call myself christian. Most people I know who call themselves Christian don't really know Yeshua.

1 John 3:4-6
Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah - indeed, sin is a violation of Torah. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him. So no one who remains united with him continues sinning: everyone who does continue sinning has neither seen him nor known him.

[StormSeeker]

a christian is a person that knows Y-shua is the messiah

Then Satan is a Christian too.

***QUICK EDIT*** Someone wisely pointed out that I left my response a little to open here and it needs clarification of my intent with some verses-

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

***END EDIT***

It takes more than knowing and believing. I know to many Christians who live like the devil with swearing, drunkeness, cheating, etc. And they go to Church on Sunday and "praise Jesus"...




The Democrats are picking up on this and they will start catering to Christians in in a deceptive way- and the Christian community will fall for it. Democrats get it- Christians care more about faith than works.

Truth is in the pudding...

[Gwenyfur]

Depends on the conversation, and why I was asked. If someone is looking for controversy when they ask, I say "I am a believer." Then they usually try to pick at what I believe and thus gives me an in for witnessing. If God blesses the encounter, they give up the antagonistic approach and get earnest about the questions that have been on their heart and have found christianity lacking to speak to that part of their soul. Once they find the many things in common, they are more confortable with the differences.
I'm with visionary on this one...

The term "christian" is so overused...they worship on Sunday and live like the devil the rest of the week...:sigh:

[plum]

I am called a Christian by those who know Messiah through the Church, and I have no problem with this because it is their custom to call someone who has received the gift of grace through faith that Messiah offers a Christian. This is the term they use to convey someone who is 'Messiah' like. Which is the original meaning for the usage. One who believes in who Yeshua was and is and what he will and is doing for us. Namely the purification of our souls by the indwelling of the holy spirit.

It was in antioch that they were first called 'Christians'. Or little Christs. And yes, it was ment as derogatory statement. But it was the start of the term that would define believers in Messiah, Christ. A term to describe goyim who were coming to God and becoming his children.

When I go to Church and fellowship with Christians I call them by such a name and I refer to myself as one too. Because to them this is the most understood term.

When I go to Shul and fellowship with Messianics I call them by such a name and I refer to myhself as one too. Because to us this is the most understood term, of one who has become a child of God.

1 John 3:1 See what love the Father has lavished on us in letting us be called God's children! For that is what we are.

Even Shaul was flexible in this.

1 Cor 9:20 That is, with Jews, what I did was put myself in the position of a Jew, in order to win Jews. With people in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah, I put myself in the position of someone under such legalism, in order to win those under this legalism, even though I myself am not in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah.21 With those who live outside the framework of Torah, I put myself in the position of someone outside the Torah in order to win those outside the Torah - although I myself am not outside the framework of God's Torah but within the framework of Torah as upheld by the Messiah. 22 With the "weak" I became "weak," in order to win the "weak." With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them. 23 But I do it all because of the rewards promised by the Good News, so that I may share in them along with the others who come to trust.


To people here in America, i'm an American. Yet, to my ancestors i'm a Hebrew, a Rican, and a Dutch man. To our Lord I am his child, and having been blessed with his Spirit I am 'like' him.

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, we are God's children now; and it has not yet been made clear what we will become. We do know that when he appears, we will be like him; because we will see him as he really is.

Messiah-like, Christ-like, this is the basic meaning of these terms. And it comes from the belief that we are in union, married to Messiah. He opens our minds to his revelations and commands through the Spirit he has blessed us with. So that when he appears we will be 'like' him and will see him as he really is.

I know many who call themselves Christian who believe this, as well as many who call themselves Messianic.

I refer to myself as a Christian when I am around Christians, and I refer to myself as a Messianic when I am around Messianics. To Jews, I have Jewish ancestors, to greeks, I have gentile blood as well, and am like them. To a lost person I am a religious nut, to an orthodox Rabbi I am a goy.

With all kinds of people I have become all kinds of things, so that in all kinds of circumstances I might save at least some of them.

I personally do not find any validity in the sacred name theology. It is another wall of partition. To believe that God can only reach you, or hear you if you speak the right language, or have the proper blood line (2 house).

Ro 14:17 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=ro+14:17&version=cjb&st=1&sd=1&new=1&showtools=1) for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.
1Co 4:20 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=1co+4:20&version=cjb&st=1&sd=1&new=1&showtools=1)For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but of power.


I'm with my brother on this one. Excellent post, Shimshon.

The Democrats are picking up on this and they will start catering to Christians in in a deceptive way- and the Christian community will fall for it. Democrats get it- Christians care more about faith than works.

Truth is in the pudding...

If you will please not make this into some political thing, I know I would be appreciative. I am offended by your words.




I don't think I can agree with most of you on this one. I cannot sit in judgment on another person... especially when that person may be doing all that they understand with all the love and heart in their lives as possible. I cannot be a part of that kind of uncharitable leshon harah. I don't see love in it. I see a "we get it and they don't" attitude.

Good day...

[Mela'h]

I don't think I can agree with most of you on this one. I cannot sit in judgment on another person... especially when that person may be doing all that they understand with all the love and heart in their lives as possible. I cannot be a part of that kind of uncharitable leshon harah. I don't see love in it. I see a "we get it and they don't" attitude.

Good day...
Yes eirene, we must be careful not to paint with such a wide brush and to do all things erring on the side of love. I know many Christians that don't "live like the devil" and have hearts for living their lives for Messiah.

For myself, I aspire to what the term Christian means - Christ like.....I am just a follower of Yeshua.

[Yehoshua]

I guess I would term myself a Messianic which is really just a more Hebraic way of saying Christian but specifies my approach while distancing myself from “modern” Christianity and Rabbinical Judaism, both of which I have serious issues. Terms do matter because they are the symbols which we use to represent ourselves but ultimately those symbols can lose their meaning dependent upon the connection of those who claim it’s usage and what the symbol purports to represent. It’s a purity issue. Take this example: Imagine you went to school for 12 years to get a PHD. All of the sudden a new trend starts where people with only BA’s started calling themselves Dr. Then anyone on the street started calling themselves a Dr. It changes or distorts the original meaning of Dr. (One who obtains it through a certain rigorous process) In this way I have the same problem with the term Christian. I recently was reading an article with the son of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker (he runs a “punk” ministry and has a reality show) who was making some ridiculous assertions about G-d being just about love and acceptance (in regards to gay clergy and other social deviants). He made the argument that Jesus ate with the sinners etc., and used that for an excuse to accept anyone into the ministry. He took those passages completely out of context to fit his worldview and social agenda. What was really happening was Yeshua, while sitting and witnessing to the sinners and poor of spirit, was calling them to repentance, and not accepting their sinful behavior. I realized at that point that he and I don’t worship the same G-d. We may use some similar terminology but my G-d, while being a G-d of love, is also a G-d of judgment and expects certain behavior out of me. His G-d is a domesticated feel-good deity who accepts anyone regardless of actions, but my G-d, while merciful, accepts anyone who is willing to repent (literally to turn back and turn away from their own old ways which are the ways of the world). We could fight about terms all day but in the end I guess I would be preferred to be called a Man of G-d, or faithful servant.

[Victrixa]

My God/Their God

Remember, every believer in Yeshua walks with the light they have received from the Lord, that's all.

Also, remember, there are tares among the wheat. Hence, Christians by name and Christians by true faith (born again from G-d). I strongly believe that there are 'Messianics' by name just the same and who live like the devil too.

And yes, I consider myself a Christian. A term is just a term. I'm just Messianic in faith and practice.

Yeshua's Body is precious. Every child of G-d is precious. Their G-d is my G-d and my G-d is their G-d.

:)

Shalom.

[Yehoshua]

Point taken. I'm sure there are plenty of Messianics who I would not associate with either. In the end our actions delineate who we are.

[StormSeeker]

For any of you offended my my thoughts on Christians in genral that live like the devil- the comments were not meant to offend. I am sorry if you are offended- but I stand by them. It is a broad brush that I applied- but I did not apply it to every Christian. I apply this brush to people I know.

If you consider yourself a good Christian- then my comments should not bother you.

What I am getting at is we have churches on just about every corner in this country- and this country is supposedly a Judeo-Christian country but each passing day sees this country sinking deeper into death, sin, despair, etc. Each passing day brings a new perversity.

This is happening because ostensibly there are more people who call themselves some kind of religous label who live like the devil than there are of those like you or me who do their best to keep the commandments of our Lord.

This may come off as judging others- and I am judging others. The bible was given to us to know right and wrong that we may learn to do right. The bible also says that bad company corrupts good character- the only way you know bad company is to judges someones actions and their words. But I am not judging someone's salvation- just their word and deed.

You shall know them by their fruits is what I believe my master Yeshua said.

Shalom.

[Sephania]

Sorry for the delay of reopening this, there was a huge glitch when I tried to do a clean up and things got all out of sorts. :doh:

I now return you to this topic and ask that it stay on the OP topic of what you call yourself, and not derail into commentary on other Christians please?

Todah!:thumbsup:

[Shimshon]

guess I would term myself a Messianic which is really just a more Hebraic way of saying Christian but specifies my approach while distancing myself from “modern” Christianity and Rabbinical Judaism, both of which I have serious issues.
:thumbsup:

[Ivy]

To me, Christian means Gentile believer in Yeshua, yet I also try to bear in mind that the term carries more meaning than just that to some people....in some people's minds, there's a lot of negative baggage with the term.

When I'm with Christians/Gentile believers, I call myself Christian, and also a supporter of Israel, if I feel like that needs to be said.

When I'm with traditional Jews, I also call myself Christian or "Christian who loves the Jewish people," if I feel like that needs to be said.

When I'm with Messianic Jews, I call myself a Gentile believer or a sojourner.

I am all of the above things, so I try to be as clear and comprehensible as possible to whoever I'm with, hopefully like Rav Sha'ul did.

[AbiYah]

I say Messianic or "Believer" - unless someone wants me to clarify I usually do not.

I do not identify in any other way, shape or form other than my ethnicity.

[madmango]

My God/Their God

Remember, every believer in Yeshua walks with the light they have received from the Lord, that's all.

Also, remember, there are tares among the wheat. Hence, Christians by name and Christians by true faith (born again from G-d). I strongly believe that there are 'Messianics' by name just the same and who live like the devil too.

And yes, I consider myself a Christian. A term is just a term. I'm just Messianic in faith and practice.

Yeshua's Body is precious. Every child of G-d is precious. Their G-d is my G-d and my G-d is their G-d.

:)

Shalom.

That's a great post!:wave:

[jgonz]

It depends on who I'm talking to. I prefer to call myself a Believer, because right now, where I live, no one knows what a Messianic IS. I have said I was a Christian, and actually told my teenagers that maybe it would be smarter to call themselves Christians, but with a strong Jewish bent (they're getting slammed at a Christian youth group they attend). It's all labels... and very frustrating.

[Nessuno]

I have a friend that asked me this question. It looked like he was bothered that I would at times call myself a Christian
I prefer not to call myself, i always get sent to voice mail. ;)

He then said that the "Christian" god is not YHWH (basically because the avg Christian does not keep the law of YHWH).

I will completely agree with ya there regarding the Law and the avg christian. But what about those that aren't the normal. I've been called many things in my life, but normal or average are a group I still haven't been able to fit into. Oddly enough, I've tried.


One more thing....IMO the Messianic Jews (on average) are the most informed group in the Christian Forums, so I would like to know what you think about 'sacred name' groups? I know there are probably many...but can you tell me of your experiences with them and what you concluded about them?
Two of the three tele-evangelists that I like are both Rabii's. Zola Levitt and Moshe Laurie
The other guy that I can't seem to remember his name atm, but he goes in depth studying original text and bashes the many, many televangelists that seem to be send us money and you'll get rich... nevermind. Said enough.
Those three guys, IBA news, and SG1 are about all the TV worth watching. History channel, some discovery channel.. bah. goign to stop before I think of anything else..