Is there such a thing as an ex-Christian?

This is a question for which there is definitely a clear and explicit biblical answer. First John 2:19 declares, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian. It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian.

A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin.

A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ.

A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.

There are many in this world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean being an American or having white skin. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a representative of Christ and a follower / servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.

I hope this cleared up some of the confusion. Take care all.

Its not us, its THEM.

How do you know you are a "true" Christian? The person who later leaves cannot be distinguished from those who do not leave.

Also, what if a person leaves and then returns, are they a "true" Christian? Can a "true" Christian become a non-"true" Christian, and then back again?

This sounds a lot like your salvation is dependent on works, and that contradicts the idea that salvation is not based on works.

Originally posted by ushomefree
This is a question for which there is definitely a clear and explicit biblical answer. First John 2:19 declares, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian. It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian.

A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin.

A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ.

A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.

There are many in this world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean being an American or having white skin. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a representative of Christ and a follower / servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.

I hope this cleared up some of the confusion. Take care all.

Umm..I don't think God is a Christian. Or as it is written.."who can comprehend my thoughts, they are as numerous as the grains of sand." I don't know what God is in entirety. I do think that Corinthians 13 gives a good description of what he is though. That's it. That's all.

By this definition, a true christian cannot possibly exist.

Originally posted by King Kandy
By this definition, a true christian cannot possibly exist.

Not until the very moment of death, at least.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Not until the very moment of death, at least.

Thank god we have ushome to dictate Truth to us.

🙄

I, personally, would be lost in this world without his wisdom.

For a long time I tried to talk to him about his approach to topics and forum discussion. Not even trying to argue his points about religion, but just how to interact in ways that didn't come across as condescending and preachy. And the weird thing was, he seemed receptive, at least he stated that he wanted to better understand my points and such.

But of course it all goes ignored. Just like my even earlier attempts at religious debate, where contrasting points get ignored in favor of long diatribes. I'm not sure if it's willful or unknowing. Either way, I haven't read anything he's said in a long, long time now.

Originally posted by ushomefree
This is a question for which there is definitely a clear and explicit biblical answer. First John 2:19 declares, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian. It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian.

A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin.

A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ.

A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.

There are many in this world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean being an American or having white skin. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a representative of Christ and a follower / servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.

I hope this cleared up some of the confusion. Take care all.

Tell me, do you live in Kentucky, and show up to preach at Bluegrass Community College and the University of Kentucky form time to time? Because your logic and reasoning patterns sound extremely familiar...

Originally posted by Digi
For a long time I tried to talk to him about his approach to topics and forum discussion. Not even trying to argue his points about religion, but just how to interact in ways that didn't come across as condescending and preachy. And the weird thing was, he seemed receptive, at least he stated that he wanted to better understand my points and such.

But of course it all goes ignored. Just like my even earlier attempts at religious debate, where contrasting points get ignored in favor of long diatribes. I'm not sure if it's willful or unknowing. Either way, I haven't read anything he's said in a long, long time now.

That seems to be a common thing amongst Christians on this forum.

BTW Digi, what forums are you modding now?

Originally posted by King Kandy
That seems to be a common thing amongst Christians on this forum.

BTW Digi, what forums are you modding now?

I'm a global now, so technically all of them. Officially, the general comic book forum, comic respect and movie forums, and the Spider-Man forum. Pretty much the whole comic section except Vs. and Battlezone, and the other individual character forums.

So now, people can't criticize you for trying to "mod the religion forum" anymore?

Originally posted by King Kandy
So now, people can't criticize you for trying to "mod the religion forum" anymore?

I think that only happened once.

But no, they can't.

😮‍💨

Originally posted by Digi
...Either way, I haven't read anything he's said in a long, long time now.

It's apparent that he has not been reading anything you have written ether. 😄

Also, I wish you were the mod for this forum.

Originally posted by ushomefree
I hope this cleared up some of the confusion. Take care all.

Is there such a thing as an ex-gay?

Well according to some branches of protestantism they claim you can lose you "salvation" others claim you cannot lose it.

Originally posted by LaughLiveScream
Well according to some branches of protestantism they claim you can lose you "salvation" others claim you cannot lose it.

If they disagree with ushomefree's interpretation of the bible, then they are not a true Christian. 😉

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
It's apparent that he has not been reading anything you have written ether. 😄

Right right. I have no problem with that.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Also, I wish you were the mod for this forum.

Eh, lil does fine. She just doesn't post as much. I'm one of the more active globals in terms of post count these days. But like I said, I can deal with problems from any forum. I just usually don't, because there isn't a need when there's a designated mod or mods for each forum. The comic sections and OTF is where I do most of my modding.