Christian

Are you a Christian? If so, what does that mean? I have known fellow Christians who stopped telling people they were Christians and instead used the word Believer or Baptist, instead of Christian because of a perceived negative stigma that comes with being a Christian in today’s society.

In this post I am going to discuss what I believe a Christian is from a Biblical perspective. The word Christian is a title, given to individuals who follow Jesus our Lord and Saviour. We see the term Christian used first in the Bible for the followers of Christ in Acts 11:26, “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” We see that the term Christian was first used for the disciples of Jesus our Christ.

The basic definition of a Christian according to Strongs Concordance is “Follower of Christ”. The secular definition I am taking from www.dictionary.com and it is: “a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.; a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ; and exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike.” There are several other definitions on this site all similar wording.

Based on this definition, it seems it mirrors the Bible in that the term is used to describe someone who is a follower of Jesus our Christ. I have seen in many religious publications that the word Christian was first used by the Gentiles, in a manner of contempt toward the followers of Christ. That may have been and is still used that way in today’s society.

That does not mean we do not consider ourselves Christians, if we believe in the Lord Jesus our Christ, then we are Christians. We are also Believers, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” (Acts 5:12-14).

This verse shows the term believers used for the people who turned to God, and believed on the Lord Jesus our Christ. We are also Brethren, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1) further, “And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:” (Acts 15:23).

We see of course Disciples used in Acts 9:26 and 11:29. The last main title used for a follower of Christ is one of my favorites, Saint. My wife would get a laugh from this, when we were dating she realized quickly my mother used this term for me. When my wife would say something, I would say I am a Saint, the Bible says so. Of course I think most mothers think their kids are saints to a point, but the Bible does refer to all believers of our Lord and Saviour as Saints. “ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:27-28), and “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.” (Romans 15:25).

What all these verses show us is the early church and followers of Christ were known by many different names, but they all believed in our Lord and Saviour Jesus, our Christ. They believed he came to this earth to teach us, to be an example for us, to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and die on the cross at Calvary. They believed he rose from the grave on the third day and ascended into heaven, where he sits at God’s right hand making intercession for us sinners.

They believed the death of our Lord and Saviour on the cross also made a way for the Holy Spirit of God to now be among us, working on our hearts and souls and indwelling us with Gods love and guidance. If you believe these things and believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God, then you are a Christian, a Believer, a Brother or Sister in Christ, a Disciple and a Saint. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:16).

We will have persecution because we are Christians, it has happened since the church began. We need to ensure we are living the life God wants for us and following him, and not pay attention to names and labels the world places on us. I am humbled and thankful when someone refers to me as a Christian, that I have the privilege to serve and glorify God our father, to have the Holy Spirit guide my life, thanks to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Christians through the ages have given their lives for the cause of Christianity, we see this throughout historical records such as “Foxes Book of Martyrs”. Being a follower of Christ, a Christian, may someday place you in the position of denying Christ or dying.

For example, this incident would never happen in today’s society, but when I was young, I attended a church camp. One night in the middle of the sermon in the chapel, armed gunmen entered the chapel with masks on, and told everyone at gun point they were going for a ride. They placed cloth masks over our heads and tightened them at the bottom so we could not see out. Then put us on a bus, we drove for a short distance, they got us out of the bus, lined us up along the road and told us we were to deny God and state God did not exist and we could go home, but if we did not we would be shot. They then fired a shot in the air. I grew up around guns and knew that was a real shotgun that fired, but I had my doubts about what was going on. They asked the first person, who would not deny God, then they fired a shot, I knew it was fired into the air, and that verified my suspicions that this was not real. After a couple people they had us take our hoods off and it was the camp counselors and pastors.

They gave us stories of Christians who gave their lives in similar situations. This was an experience I will never forget. I did discover later that our parents had signed permission slips before the camp, and not all signed, which was why there was only so many of us out in the field, but I was glad to have that experience. You could never do that at a camp today or you would probably be in jail.

It brings the question up though, if we are embarrassed to say we are Christians because of the stigma in today’s society, which has turned away from Christ. Then what will you do when someone threatens you with death for your belief in our Lord and Saviour Jesus, our Christ. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt 16:25-26).

This is a reality in many countries in the world and the way our society is going, could be a reality in this country one day soon. What will you do when that day comes? We already see in news media where Christians are called evil because we don’t agree with such topics as abortion and homosexuality.

I would recommend if you have never read “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” or “Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World” both by John Foxe, that you do so, they will lend a new perspective of what it means to be a Christian. I would also recommend reading the book “The Martyr of the Catacombs”, which was discovered by a ship captain in 1876, author unknown, which is a great depiction of the sacrifices of early Christians, and lastly one of my favorite books “The Passion for Souls” by Oswald J. Smith, who also wrote the hymnal song “The Master’s Call”. I am not advertising for anyone, but you can find all these books on the Amazon web site, or find a friend who may have them (They are old books).

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev 12:11). In Christ.