WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? Did you know that there are only three places in the Bible where the word “Christian” is mentioned? But they help us to understand what a Christian really is. Here they are --
ACTS 11:26: “The disciples were
first called Christians at Antioch”. Here we have an important clue: It was “the disciples” who were called “Christians”: Those who had turned to the Lord and were committed to following or obeying Him.
ACTS 26:28: A king called Agrippa said to Paul after hearing Paul tell of how he became a Christian: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” It is not enough just to hear or to know how to become a Christian, but to receive Christ personally. 1 PETER 4:16: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name”. True joy and peace are part of the Christian life, but sometimes so too are suffering and persecution. These show the reality of saving faith in a person’s life. There are many ideas at large as to what a Christian is. But first, let’s consider what a Christian is not – Someone who just lives “a good moral life”. Many people are good citizens, living respectable lives, but would not consider themselves Christians. Someone who reads the Bible and/or prays. By reading the Bible we may learn how to become a Christian. It is the signpost pointing us to Christ. But just remaining at the sign post won’t get you to your destination. Someone who attends a place of worship. Again, you may learn how to become a Christian, but hearing is not enough: It involves your personal response. Someone who gives to charitable causes. Christians should do so wisely, but this does not make you a Christian either. It is sometimes said, “I’ve always been a Christian”. No one is ever born a Christian; we are all born sinners needing a Saviour.
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