What Is A
Christian?
The Webster's
New Dictionary defines a Christian as "a follower of Christ." I
believe this is 100% the correct Biblical definition of what a
Christian should be.
The word
"Christian" appears thrice in the New Testament:
And when he
had found him,
he brought him to Antioch.
So it was that for a whole year
they assembled with the church and
taught a great many people.
And the disciples were first called Christians in
Antioch.
Acts 11:26
Then Agrippa
said to Paul,
"You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
Acts 26:28
Yet if
anyone suffers as a Christian,
let him not be ashamed,
but let him glorify God in this matter.
1 Peter 4:16
The disciples of
Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. King Agrippa said to
Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." The apostle
Peter exhorted, "If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed." In each of the three verses, a Christian is defined as a
disciple or follower of Christ. Taking away "Christ" in a "Christian,"
we are left with "ian," which is an abbreviation for "I am nothing."
Christians were
loyal to Christ, just as the Herodians were loyal to Herod (Matthew
22:16; Mark 3:6). Prior to the adoption of this name, the Christians
called themselves believers (Acts 5:14), brothers (Acts 6:3), or
saints (Acts 9:13). These names are still being used even today.
Originally and
interestingly, the term "Christian" was used by the non-Christians
to scorn, ridicule and mock the early followers of Christ! It was
almost a swear word. The early Christians suffered because of their
belief and faith in Christ! They were persecuted, and sometimes
killed. Eventually, Christians adapted themselves, and adopted the
name as a name of honor, not of shame.
In modern days,
the word "Christian" has somewhat lost its true meaning. To many
people today, a Christian means little more than a European or an
American, or someone who is a churchgoer. These secular definitions
of "Christian" somewhat fall short of the glory of God! Living in a
"Christian" nation does not make one a Christian. Going to a church
doesn't make one a Christian anymore than going to China makes one a
Chinese or going to Japan makes one a Japanese.
We become a
Christian by birth. Yes, we must be born again of the Spirit:
Jesus
answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and the Spirit,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Do not marvel that I said to you,
'You must be born again.'"
John 3:5-7
Being a good
person does not make one a Christian. Being a member of a church,
attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church
do not make one a Christian. These are just the doings of a
Christian, and not the beings of a Christian! Christians are what we
are inside - our beings. From our inner beings will then outflow our
doings. Our beings first, and our doings following thereafter, and
not the reverse! A monkey climbs trees, but climbing trees does not
make one a monkey! A cat climbing a tree is still a cat, not a
monkey.
Many believers
in Christianity divide themselves by denominations, creeds,
teachings, churches and preachers! This same problem was also
evident in the early churches.
Now I plead
with you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it has been declared to me concerning you,
my brethren, by those of Chloe's household,
that there are contentions among you.
Now I say this, that each of you says,
"I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos,"
or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
The
apostle Paul exhorted the church in Corinth to unity and brotherly
love, and reproved them for their divisions. He pleaded with the
believers to stop arguing among themselves, letting true unity and
love flow so that there would not be any splits in the Body of
Christ. He also urged them to be of one mind, united in thought and
purpose. Why do such
arguments and quarrels arise within the believers?
Pride leads
to arguments;
be humble, take advice, and become wise.
Proverbs 13:10 (TLB)
Behind all the
arguments, quarrels and divisions is spiritual pride! The
Corinthian believers were quarrelling about their favorite
ministers, boasting and looking down on others. Paul, Apollos and
Cephas (Peter) were all faithful ministers of Jesus Christ,
co-labouring together for the sake of the gospel of Christ! However,
their followers began to break into divisions and opposition
parties, setting their ministers as the dividing lines for disunity
and discord within the church of Christ! Some loved Paul's
teachings, some loved Apollo's eloquence, and some loved Peter's
leadership. And they began fighting over these trivial issues.
Even the best
and holy things on earth are being corrupted, not by the will of God
but by sinful human nature and pride! Every Word of God is in
perfect harmony with one another. But, variance, discord and
contention within the believers have brought a great reproach and
shame to our faith and religion!
Pride will make
believers to be in opposition against one another, making themselves
rivals and competitors. Many believers today fashion themselves
after their pastors, dressing like them, talking and walking like
them. They are following after their pastors and not Christ! Some
pastors are strong in the Word, and their members will also be
strong in the Word. Some pastors are strong in worship, and their
members will be worshippers too. Some pastors are strong in prayer,
and their members will be strong prayer warriors. Some pastors are
strong in personal prophecies, and their members will also do the
same. Some pastors are into the prosperity and grace teachings,
their members will eventually embrace those teachings. Some pastors
are false teachers, and their members, having itching ears, will be
led astray! This is the principle of sowing and reaping. We will
reap what we sow. The pastors will reap what they sow. Their members
are the fruits of their labours!
Preach the
word!
Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort,
with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine,
but according to their own desires,
because they have itching ears,
they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2-5
I believe that
every true church or true Christian is just a part of the Body of
Christ! One member without the other members is incomplete! One
church without the other churches is incomplete! We should not be
divided over pastors and churches! Our pastors are not our saviours.
They had not been crucified, buried and resurrected for our sins,
salvation and sanctification! Neither were we baptized in their
names! But they are ministers instrumental in helping us to become
true followers of Christ! Paul exhorted the Corinthians to follow
him as he followed Christ:
Follow my
example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
True
Christians are those who have put their faith and trust in the
person of Jesus Christ, believing that He died on the cross for our
sins, and rose again on the third day, triumphing victoriously over
death and giving eternal life to all who believe in Him.
True Christians also acknowledge
God as their Heavenly Father, and God gives them the rights to
become His children, even those who believe in His name. True
Christians are indeed the children of God, a part of God's true
family, living the new abundant life in Christ. The mark of true
Christians is their love for God, others and themselves, and also
their obedience to God's Word.
Now
by this we know that we know Him,
if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know
Him,"
and does not keep His commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word,
truly the love of God is perfected in him.
By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6
Again, a
Christian is a follower of Christ, becoming more like Him, from
glory to glory, transforming into the same image of God daily! Just
as Christ obeys God's commandments, we will do the same. Just as
Christ loves God and others, we will do the same. Just as Christ
walks in the truth and light, we will also walk in the truth and
light! Just as Christ is one with the Father, we need to be one with
the Body of Christ! Just as Christ is in the world and not of the
world, we need to be the same:
I have given
them Your word;
and the world has hated them
because they are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.
I do not pray that
You should take them out of the world,
but that You should keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them by Your truth.
Your word is truth.
As You sent Me into the world,
I also have sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify Myself,
that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
I do not pray for these alone,
but also for those
who will believe in Me through their word;
that they all may be one,
as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us,
that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,
that they may be one just as We are one:
I in them, and You in Me;
that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me
may be with Me where I am,
that they may behold My glory
which You have given Me;
for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father! The world has not known You,
but I have known You;
and these have known that You sent Me.
And I have declared to them Your name,
and will declare it,
that the love with which You loved Me
may be in them, and I in them.
John 17:14-26
Hopefully, we
can regain the true meaning of what a Christian should be by being
true Christians ourselves, following Christ as evident in our beings
and doings!
Source:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Written on:
14 May 2007