Information Related to "The Holy Spirit: Defining a Christian"
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Exactly what is a Christian? How does the Bible define a Christian in the most accurate sense?
The Scriptures clearly identify who belongs to Christ-that is, who we might term a true Christian. Notice the apostle Paul's teaching in Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.: "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (emphasis added throughout). The Holy Spirit, then, is an essential aspect of the biblical definition of a Christian. Further, only those who are led by God's Spirit have access to eternal life.
Paul continues in Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you., "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [which] dwells in you."
It becomes abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit plays a major role in the lives of Christians. In Romans 8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Paul defines the Christian very clearly: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." The Holy Spirit identifies us with Christ (Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.), it makes immortality possible to human, mortal beings (Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.), it makes possible an obedient, overcoming Christian life (Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.), and it truly leads (guides, empowers and motivates) the sons of God. In short, God's Spirit-also called the Spirit of Christ-is what makes one a Christian, a Spirit-led follower of Jesus Christ.
If the Holy Spirit is what defines a Christian and makes one a child of God, it is most vital that we learn and understand more about that Spirit and its role.
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Keywords: Christian spirit of conversion defining a Christian
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