"Are You a Self-Professed Christian or Christ-Confirmed Follower?"
Updated: Mar 21
In an era marked by the explosion of information and the democratization of knowledge, the lines between expertise and self-proclaimed authority have become increasingly blurred.
One area where this is particularly pronounced is within the realm of spiritual and religious knowledge and practice. We will explore the contrasting aspects of a self-professed Christian and an individual that has been given Biblically-aligned confirmation from Christ himself. This post highlights the factors that differentiate them in terms of education, knowledge acquisition, expertise, recognition and acceptance, and the scriptural evidence of his indwelling presence.
By Alessandro Bellone (https://unsplash.com/@alessandro_bellone)
Education and Knowledge Acquisition:
- Self-Professed Christian:
A Self-Professed Christian may proclaim religious expertise without the authentic enlightenment given by the Holy Ghost upon genuine possession. Their knowledge might be self-taught or acquired through non-authentic channels, such as online forums, churches, bible studies, or even seminaries that are void of the actual spirit of Christ. According to the New Testament scriptures it is the Holy Ghost that gives the knowledge of who Jesus is and his mission:
John 16:13, KJV
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come"
John 14:26, KJV
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you"
- Christ-Confirmed Christian:
Individuals that are Christ-Confirmed Christians, especially in the context of religious and spiritual knowledge surrounding the things of Christ, have typically undergone the genuine rebirth experience; it is a supernatural experience that involves the imparting of the very mind of Christ. These individuals have the genuine indwelling spirit of Jesus and possess in-depth knowledge that is directly aligned to not only the written scriptures, but also disclose the very heart and soul of Jesus (which does not contradict the written New Testament scriptures concerning his words).
John 14:17, KJV
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
1 Corinthians 2:16, KJV
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ
2. Expertise and Specialization:
By Ramses Sudiang (https://unsplash.com/@ramsessudiang)
-Self-Professed Christian:
Self-Professed Christians may claim expertise across a broad spectrum of spiritual matters concerning Jesus and his teachings. However, their knowledge often lacks depth and Biblically-aligned concepts, due to the absence of Jesus' actual spirit inhabiting the vessel. These individuals clearly lack the supernatural power and in-depth understanding provided by the genuine spirit/mind of Jesus. They often manifest forms of bondage within their own lives (e.i. sickness, disease, addictions, demonic possession, sin, etc.), and are incapable of wholly setting free those who are equally in bondage.
2 Timothy 3:5, KJV
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away"
2 Peter 2:19, KJV
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
- Christ-Confirmed Christian:
A Christ-Confirmed Christian has undergone the true supernatural experience of being Biblically born-again and now operates by and functions through the spirit of Jesus. They manifest the genuine spirit of Jesus which is demonstrated through miracles, signs and wonders that are equivalent or greater than the works Jesus did while walking the earth with his disciples (e.i. healing the sick, restoring life to the dead, walking on water, etc.). Their knowledge and skills are deeply rooted in the work and person of Jesus which is strictly Biblically evidence-based.
John 14:12, KJV
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father"
Romans 8:14, KJV
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God"
3. Recognition and Acceptance:
Self-Professed Christian:
The recognition and acceptance of Self-Professed Christians depend largely on their ability to convince unsuspecting members of the Christian faith to trust them and place their confidence in the words that they speak. These words are not spoken by the spirit of Christ and are often very appealing to the emotions, but lacking in the Biblically-aligned supernatural power associated with those who possess the authentic spirit of Jesus. There are a great number of individuals who do not Biblically recognize the genuine spirit of Christ, and thereby succumb to the many alternative perspectives by those who do not possess his spirit. Their cleverly crafted words generate a whirlwind of mass confusion, deception, and division within the church community. However, a select few and those who can spiritually discern the true spirit of Jesus may view their Christian claim with skepticism due to the absence of the Biblically-aligned evidence that is present and manifested by the true spirit of Jesus. Those who do not have the genuine indwelling spirit of Jesus are incapable of demonstrating the true supernatural power and spirit of Jesus!
1 Corinthians 4:20, KJV
"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power"
1 Corinthians 2:4, KJV
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power"
- Christ-Confirmed Christian:
A Christ-Confirmed Christian which Jesus himself has validated as a true follower of his through Biblically-aligned signs and wonders brings a higher level of recognition and acceptance. The Christian community will certainly acknowledge the authority and credibility of one sent directly from Jesus himself! However, the vast majority of the Christian community are not aware of not only the Biblical confirmations of Jesus' true presence and power, but they are unfamiliar with the actual person and presence of Jesus as written within the ancient New Testament scriptures. One who is a Christ-Confirmed Christian is one who has genuinely experienced supernatural rebirth and they adhere to the teachings and commands of Jesus.
Mark 16:20, KJV
"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen"
4. Ethical Considerations and Accountability:
- Self-Professed Christian:
Self-professed Christians often do not have legal obligations or professional standards to uphold and may operate outside the parameters of conventional religious or spiritual ethics. We often see in mainstream media instances of those professing to be Christian spiritual leaders who demonstrate horrific and base behavior that is in complete contradiction to the very words of Jesus! Consequently, their practices could potentially and have put many individuals within the Christian community in states of spiritual disaster resulting in complete abandonment of the Christian faith to more tragic endings such as suicide and even murder!These unfortunate scenarios are predominantly a result of inadequate discernment of those claiming to have the genuine spirit of Christ. These deceptive individuals enter the Church in "sheep's clothing" and capitalize on the broken hopes, dreams, and suffering of those who are in desperate need of salvation.
Matthew 7:15-16, KJV
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
- Christ-Confirmed Christian:
Christ-Confirmed Christians are enslaved to Christ meaning they abide by the spiritual codes of ethics, regulations, and religious obligations instituted and instructed by Jesus. They are held accountable for their actions and can face disciplinary consequences if found guilty of misconduct or negligence by Jesus himself.
Romans 6:18, NIV
"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness"
Galatians 2:20, KJV
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:"
J.P. Kirsch, writing for the Catholic Encyclopedia, (Kirsch, J.P. (1911). "St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles". The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Co. Retrieved 20 February 2024), depicts the event as a sentence of capital punishment. It states: "When Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the Apostles and the people Peter appears as judge of their action, and God executes the sentence of punishment passed by the Apostle by causing the sudden death of the two guilty parties (Acts 5:1–11)".(https//en.wikepedia.org/wiki/Ananias_and_Sapphira)
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the disparity between the self-professed Christian and the Christ-confirmed Christian is striking. While the former may claim the title of a Christian, their actions, behavior, and relationship with Jesus may and often contradict their profession.
The dichotomy between a self-professed Christian and a Christ-Confirmed Christian underscores the importance of distinguishing between authenticity and knowledge acquired through the genuine spirit of Christ and ad- hoc knowledge acquisition. While self-professed Christians may provide alternative perspectives, their lack of true spiritual understanding, lack of devotion to the teachings and commands of Jesus, and most importantly their lack of the true indwelling spirit of Jesus can lead to potentially high risks. Conversely, those who have been Biblically confirmed to be Christians by the very spirit of Christ possess the true indwelling of his spirit, obtained through a genuine surrendering to him through accurate Biblical knowledge concerning his identity and purpose. These individuals are now vessels of Christ bound to the spirit of Christ, ensuring the manifestation of his spirit through supernatural demonstrations. In the ever-evolving landscape of religious practices and beliefs, it is crucial for individuals to exercise caution when discerning between self-proclaimed Christians and Christ-certified, Spirit-filled, genuine Born-Again, Biblically defined Christians!
It is imperative for those who profess to be Christian to examine themselves honestly and strive to become Christ-confirmed Christians, this can be authentically fulfilled by first learning the true message and purpose of Jesus as it is presented within the Original Greek Text. The evidence of this is made Biblically evident through the life of the one claiming to possess the true spirit of Christ.
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