Why do you have to believe that Jesus IS God to be a Christian?

Question

I have not seen a definition of "Christian" that includes "believes that Jesus and God are the same person/being/spirit/essence " whatever. The main definition I find says "follows the teachings of Jesus Christ"

Answer 1

In order for his sacrifice to not be made in vain, Christ had to be blameless on every level.

If Jesus was not God, then he is a normal human being correct?

There were two other normal human beings in the beginning.

Adam and Eve.

Eve sinned... there goes one blameless person.... then Adam follows suit.

Since sin now entered the human race entirely... if Jesus was just a man, his sacrifice would have been completely in vain.

I'm sure there are also verses to answer your question, but I think this will suffice.

Elementary, my dear Watson. ;)  that is to say, it was just a logical deduction that brought me to that point.

I am not in any way attempting to offend you with that odd remark.

Answer 2

You'd have to ask trinitarian Christians.

BTW- not all followers of Jesus are trinitarian.

GO, DUCKS!!

Answer 3

You can call yourself Christian and not believe in the godhood of Jesus.  Jesus called himself the "Son of Man", but not once did he outright refer to himself as "Jesus the God" or "Son of God"; it took Paul and others to decide he was god.  That is only a church doctrinal decision that took place at the Nicene Council after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.  If you decide to belong to a particular Christian sect that espouses the idea that Jesus is God then you had better believe it to be true or be ready to act and talk as a hypocrite.

I believe that much of what Jesus taught was good, so I guess, in one sense you could call me Christian.  But I don't call myself that.  I am Unitarian Universalist and many of us are not trinitarians, as the name implies.  Still there are Christian UU's, and Pagan UU's, and Agnostic UU's and Buddhist and Jewish, and, and, and... You might want to check us out at www.uua.org

Answer 4

for starters.... they are not the same person... there are 3 of them, who are one together... God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit... Because it is spiritual and beyond our comprehension we can only vision individuals... If you read, during creation, God says, man was created in OUR image. But yes.. belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ does fall under the definition of Christianity.

http://www.theshackbook.com/

a must read and leads to great understanding...

Answer 5

Wow!!  Talk about a mass of confusion.  Perhaps this is why Jesus called Apostles and Prophets for the work of the ministry and to edify his church.  He said that he chose Apostles that we "henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."

Wouldn't it be nice if we had Apostles and Prophets to help us out today?  He said they would be until we all come to a unity of the faith.  

Answer 6

I think it's all part of the trinity, and I believe that in order to be a Christian you must believe in the concept of the trinity - God in three parts, father, son, and holy spirit.

Answer 7

Many words in the dictionary have multiple definitions.  Just as people might say KJV to say which Bible they're quoting, they may need to add details when they want to be crystal clear.  

Answer 8

He is God's one and only Son.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are One.

Our body is one body but it is made up of many parts.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Answer 9

Jesus is God, and God is Jesus.  But I don't think they're really ONE entity.  Because if they were, then who was Jesus talking to when He would pray?  I think what that means is... God and Jesus are Father and Son... and all Jesus's power came from his Father, which makes them one.

Answer 10

you don't have to believe that.  you only have to believe that if you believe in the trinity....which not all denominations do.  

Answer 11

Golly Gee, I thought "Christian" meant to be "Christ-like"...like it was a goal you had to strive for all your whole life, just to try to be a good person...

...maybe some folks think they've found a loop-hole?

Answer 12

because jesus is gods son

Answer 13

Jesus said you must repent (change your ways) and believe the gospel (good news of the New Testament). (Mark 1:15)

Philippians 2:5-8 and Colossians 2:9 and 1 Timothy 3:16 say Jesus is God.  

Answer 14

now this is true, jesus is not god, god is jesuses father. but since jesus is gods son through the virgin mary, then jesus and god shair the same spirit. the definition of the true christian is in the bible, a true christian is following his word, and being saves, no follow is word for a couple of weeks then change, i mean follow his word, forever until he will come for his people. Some people call them selves christians, because they go to church a couple of times, or every sunday, that's probably what your getting mixed up, the might be going to church, call themselves christians, but there really not. the main definition you found is true, follow is teaching, and his teachings are in the bible, so read the bible, and u will know the meaning of the christian, let me recommend this book, you can find anywhere in the public library. is called heaven is so real by choo thomas.

Answer 15

And Jesus taught that He was God. So if you deny it, you are calling the One you claim to follow a liar.

Answer 16

This is the definition of a christian and it is the only one that is valid in Gods eyes.

The first step to become a Christian is to understand what the term “Christian” means. The origin of the term “Christian” was in the city of Antioch in the first century A.D. (see Acts 11:26). It is possible that, at first, the term “Christian” was intended to be an insult. The word essentially means “little Christ.” However, over the centuries, believers in Christ have adopted the term “Christian” and use it to identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. A simple definition of a Christian is a person who follows Jesus Christ.

Why should I become a Christian?

Jesus Christ declared that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The question then arises – why did we need to be ransomed? The idea of a ransom is a payment that must be made in exchange for the release of a person. The idea of a ransom is most frequently used in instances of kidnapping, when someone is kidnapped and held prisoner until a ransom is paid for the person’s release.

Jesus paid our ransom to free us from bondage! Bondage from what? Bondage to sin and its consequences, physical death followed by eternal separation from God. Why did Jesus need to pay this ransom? Because we are all infected with sin (Romans 3:23), and are therefore worthy of judgment from God (Romans 6:23). How did Jesus pay our ransom? By dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21). How could Jesus’ death sufficiently pay for all of our sins? Jesus was God in human form, God come to earth to become one of us so He could identify with us and die for our sins (John 1:1,14). As God, Jesus’ death was infinite in value, sufficient to pay for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). Jesus’ resurrection after His death demonstrated that His death was the sufficient sacrifice, that He had truly conquered sin and death.

How can I become a Christian?

This is the best part. Because of His love for us, God has made it exceedingly simple to become a Christian. All you have to do is receive Jesus as your Savior, fully accepting His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins (John 3:16), fully trusting Him alone as your Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Becoming a Christian is not all about rituals, going to church, or doing certain things while refraining from other things. Becoming a Christian is all about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through faith, is what makes a person a Christian.

Are you ready to become a Christian?

If you are ready to become a Christian by receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior, all you have to do is believe. Do you understand and believe that you have sinned and are worthy of judgment from God? Do you understand and believe that Jesus took your punishment upon Himself, dying in your place? Do you understand and believe that His death was the sufficient sacrifice to pay for your sins? If your answers to these three questions are yes, then simply place your trust in Jesus as your Savior. Receive Him, by faith, fully trusting in Him alone. That is all it takes to become a Christian!

Peace and blessings

Answer 17

Jesus isnt God.  He is the son of God.  He is Gods first creation before anything eles.  He was an angel in heaven sitting next to God when he was creating the heavens and the earth, it says in Genisis that everything was created for him...He was sent to earth after Adam and Eve sinned.  To be the ultimate sacrifice for man kind.

Answer 18

i agree..i no longer believe Jesus was literally the son of God, simply that he was a man with a flawless sense of morality..after all Confucianism was named so after the emperor Confucius, was it not?? i'm starting to believe that religions are more like philosophies/cultural views of morality as opposed to divine revelations, but i may be wrong..similarly the Buddha was a man but some Buddhists worship him as a God..i'm a Buddhist and i believe he was a mortal

Answer 19

Some sects of Christianity that believe in the trinity. However, not all Christian churches, denominations, people, believe in the trinity. So it is not neccessary to believe Jesus is God to be a Christian.