In comparing the difference between an -ian and an -ist, "the difference is that -ian tends to communicate something more comprehensive, while -ist has a more narrow focus. E.g. musician but a violinist, pianist, flutist, cellist;"
As relating to Christians, there are Calvinists, methodists, and Adventists, and so on, which complicate "believism" to be anything but easy.
The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning "follower of Christ", comes from Χριστός (Christos), meaning "anointed one", with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership. {
Source).
We see the word "Christian" in this passage and what that means.
1 Peter 4:12-19
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy
are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or
as a thief, or
as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time
is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if
it first
begin at us, what shall the end
be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls
to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
It says that a Christian will partake of the same sufferings of Christ.
It says that they are to suffer to the will of God and keep their souls to Him (God) in well doing (good works).
Now, pay attention to this next passage that is the context of the chapter.
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of
his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Most Christians I have talked with speak against this passage and say you cannot cease from sin. Yet, this passage says you can. Granted, I am not saying it is easy to do so or anything, but the Bible does teach it, and we have to believe that by faith (Whether we like it or not). Most simply cannot believe it and they will either ignore this passage or try to explain it away somehow because they have a sin and still be saved mentality.
You said:
And indeed, it might appear difficult considering that the meaning of, "unless you be born of water and of blood you shall not see the kingdom of God," is elusive to our natural understanding.
Being born again of the Spirit means you receive a new heart with new desires. You do not desire to be the old man and yet when I talk with most Christians today, they appear like they can still remain as their old man and God still accepts them, even in their sin. These types are not born again or a new man because they are still the old man still hanging on to their old sin, and old ways.
Being born again of water is referring to how they were renewed by receiving the revelation of the Scriptures. They do not think the Bible is some dead book while it was only God that saved them alone. They actually believe that His words are spirit, and they are life. They believe God's Word is powerful, and alive and it is like a hammer and like fire to change a person's life. They believe God's Word is perfect. They believe God's Word is truly holy and not a product given to us solely by the hand of man alone by man-made translation philosophies (that are rooted in unbelief).
You said:
That is, until the process of the purification of lepers in Leviticus is explained with regard to Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers where only one turned back to offer Him thanksgiving. The 9 where cleansed of their leprosy, naturally, but only one experienced an entire healing, both body and soul.
Luke 17
17“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? 18Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”
19Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!c” (c*footnote: Or has saved you)
In the old covenant temple system, the priest is rendered unclean in the process of cleansing a leper, but Jesus remained holy. Our uncleaness cannot defile Him. He is both the mikvah, the ritual cleansing water of the process of purification, and the korban sacrifice, the blood that sanctifies. (
Thoughts on Holiness)
Leviticus 13:28
“if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.”
Like the proper washing involving one who had leprosy, they were to be washed a second time. I believe this is symbolic of how Christians are to wash themselves two times in the New Testament to be cleansed of their leprosy of sin.
Surely we need the washing or forgiveness of sin to be saved.
Believers are to first be washed of their sins by God’s grace through faith without works in their Initial Salvation.
Being saved by God’s grace includes being washed of one’s sins by seeking forgiveness of one’s sins with the Lord.
Acts 22:16
“wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Psalms 51:2
“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
Being saved by God’s grace includes being washed by believing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by being washed by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
John 1:12
“to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
Believers are to be washed a second time in the Sanctification Process to live a holy life by the Spirit over the course of their whole life.
Ephesians 5:25-27
“even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Psalms 119:9-11
9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
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