Of the 2 billion who call themselves Christians, how many do you think are real

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   KingdomComeposted 7 years ago

   Of the 2 billion who call themselves Christians, how many do you think are real Disciples of Christ?
   
   I believe there is a real difference between those who call themselve Christians and those who are disciples of Christ. Do you believe there is a difference between the two?

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   celafoeposted 7 years ago

   scriptures are clear.   
   
   Matt 7:13-14   "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
   
   since I understand scripture says "few will find it" and it also says "if you love any one or any thing more than the Lord", you cannot enter the kingdom of God,eternity.   and I have personally met thousands of those professing Christianity around the world, yet the majority exhibit their loyalty is first to a man/men or a church, or wfie, or family or "ministry ", very few mentioning first a loyalty to the Lord of this age, Jesus Christ, the son of God, my guess is around 10 to 15%

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      In my home Jesus Christ is first. We have discussed and prayed on it. There simply can be no complete love of another if there is no preeminent Love of God.
      But do you really think it that low? "few"?

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      KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Charlie I agree, but I think the number in my opinion is about 5 to 8%. It could be even less but I hope not.Thanks for your answer Charlie.

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      celafoeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      KC- I actually rated it higher than It seems to me to avoid some of the vehement attacks that I expect this will bring from some of the church system followers

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   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   KC this is a really intriguing question. At the risk of running afoul of Matthew 7 and Luke 6, I think you and Charlie are pretty close to the mark. Charlie's simple test really sinks in. Who do you love first and foremost as with Matthew 22:36-40. Clearly an emphasis on the first great commandment.
   Perhaps we do not have to judge the many who walk through the wide gate. It would seem that we can answer this question in the positive and hold disciples up as Christ like.
   I very much fear folks attending large congregational churches are really close to basically worshiping the preacher. And that would be huge numbers. Very sad.
   It would also seem to me that if one does not constantly and unceasingly pray/commune with God they really do not stand much of a chance of being a disciple.
   After reading this question I thought I would put it to the test. I only got to "Who do you love the?" before my 7 year old answered "Jesus" and then mommy and then you. He gets the bible read to him everyday. I must admit though that he is still too shy to lead our family in prayer. But he does pray.
   I think that maybe I have a couple of friend's families who get these concepts. But again I must admit that I could be wrong there.
   This does seem a bit depressing. But we must be of good cheer and accept Matthew 28:19-20.

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      KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Eric-  Jesus once said; " Go out and make disciples of all nations......"
      
      It took Jesus three and a half years to make twelve disciples. But Christians can make hundred of converts in a day.
      
      I think Jesus had it right.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes KC that is why I cited Matthew 28. A call to lead folks from darkness into light. And if it is God's work we should be cheerful no matter how daunting the task.

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      KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Rich Kelly- per your request, I have removed all your comments to this question

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   PlanksandNailsposted 7 years ago

   To make a disciple of Christ is by pointing others to the way of Christ. Many have it backwards and try to make disciples by pointing to themselves, someone else or some denominational template in a church building. They are not disciples of Christ, but minions of someone or something other than him.
   
   I can always tell who is a genuine disciple of Christ because they know his words and walk in Kingdom principles.
   
   It's hard to tell how many there are, but I know they are scattered throughout the world. Unfortunately, the world is waxing worse and there are more on the wide road than on the narrow.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I assume; "14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet" Point and not convert. A good thought.

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      KingdomComeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      PandN- I have to agree. Thanks.
      
      Eric- Would you explain  what you mean by "Point and convert".  You lost me there.

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      KC-  U think my anwer was way off base.    I have been studying Noah and at that time There were definitely over 1000 people on the earth.  1000 = 1%  so probably the way things are today 1% maybe?

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Charlie-you answer of 1% is likely more correct than my 5% to 8%
      But clearly those two billion who call themselve "Christians are a joke..

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   Ben716posted 6 years ago

   There is a difference between being a Christian and professing to be a Christian. Many think they are Christians when in reality they are not. One should be careful to see whether he/she is indeed a Christian. Being born in a Christian family doesn't make you a Christian neither does going to Church make you one. Search you heart and you will know which type of Christian you are.

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Alian- I don't believe you understood the question. Basicly it's asking of the billions claiming to be "Christians", how many do you think are true disciples of Christ? There IS a difference.

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      Ben716posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Apologies, I went out of question. They are quite a few getting an exact percentage or an approximated number is difficult.

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   Deborah Minterposted 6 years ago

   Absolutely! Someone could say their a christian, someone could even be a devout Christian....but do they really have good will?.. Depends on the person.

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      What does good will have to do with being a Christian?

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Deborah Minter- I think Charlie is asking you a good question. I don'tunderstand what good will has to do with the question I asked. And you made no mention of the disciple of Christ. or your opinion of it.

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   Owen Skeltonposted 6 years ago

   I believe that God purposefully put sin in this world to test humans. He put it here to test if we would commit to him or not commit to him. But, no matter which you choose sin would still effect you and sin will still be on this earth to disrupt our belief. As long as you KEEP your faith in God HE can save you from the sin on this earth but as long as you SHOW faith in God HE and YOU can can save yourself from sin on this earth. But that sin can always take you up and convince you to do something you don't need to do. Its always your choice.

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Owen Skelton-I'm not sure how your answer is directly related to the question asked. And I do not believe God PUT sin into the world. Satan did.

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      Ericdierkerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      But didn't God put the only being capable of sin and the conduit for it on the earth? That is an interesting distinction. And didn't God place Satan?

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Eric- I do not want to get off subject. but dragging in sin or no sin.

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      Ericdierkerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I am not saying right or wrong here but you just made sin not a criteria for being a true disciple as to what you believe one is. You and Charlie come close to pharisees.

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Eric- What part of " I don't want to get off subject" is above your level of understanding.

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      Ericdierkerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I am sorry KT - what part of it is not off topic don't you understand?
      Just moderate me off or explain why it is off topic. In another question you said to the effect that real Christians do not sin anymore.  See  Question What is a true Christian?,

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      eric-you call those that teach truths that liberals like you reject pharisees when in fact you are the pharisee.   Jesus said we must DO ALL He requires of us or we cannot enter His kingdom.  You admit to rejecting  more of His than you accept

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      Ericdierkerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Charles you do realize that what you say here is opinion correct? HS or not it is still just your opinion. If you think you are the law of Christianity then you are not a pharisee - you are a Sadducee. No different than any preacher. Different law?

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      eric- i wii be happy to continue the conversation elswhere, KC has asked us to stay on the subject.

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       Ericdierkerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Of course Charlie. And my apologies for drifting. I came close to being rude to all. Thank you KT for your patience. I think you are right Charlie I will try to draft such a question that is not slanted on the subject.

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       KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you both.

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   ryansccsposted 6 years ago

   Tough question, and as much as I like to tackle tough questions, this one would require a personal interview with each and every person that professes to be a Christian.  Being a Christian is a state of the heart with ones relationship with God the Father, through the Son (Jesus), by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is a day by day walk.  I do believe there is a difference between getting on board the train and then those that help conduct the journey.  Some people simply stop at the idea of asking God to forgive them by confessing Jesus as Lord, and other continue the passion as Jesus showed us as an example.  I would lay a balance of this is there "fake" Christians and then real, definitely yes. However, to conclude who is and isn't to a number of billions, that is way outside my department

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   1. 59

      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Ryan Hutzel- Thank you for your answer. I realize there are no exact numbers we can come up with. However I do believe there are far fewer Disciple of Christ's than those who claim to be "Christian. And there is clearly a difference between the two.

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      RH- your concept is contrary to scripture.  It is not a matter of the heart anyone claiming to be Christian shows by words or actions, their beliefs, as you have done.   All one has to do is compare them to scripture, judge their fruit as required

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      KingdomComeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      RH- to continue my comment..........disciples of Christ is not just a matter of being like Jesus, but to BE as Jesus did. I can not think of a single so called Christian who is like any of the twelve disciples who Jesus taught. By seeking His Kingdom

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