Those who live for the Lord are called by different terms in the scriptures: brethren, saints, disciples, children of God, etc. Perhaps no term stands out more than the name “Christian”. We find this term in the scriptures three times: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16. This term denotes one who is “of Christ” or “belongs to Christ”.
It is unfortunately true that the term “Christian” means different things to different people. A Christian is not necessarily a good person, although that is the concept that many people have. A religious person is not necessarily a Christian. Many gross and ungodly acts have been done in the name of religion, but these were not Christian acts. Furthermore, everyone who declares himself to be a Christian is not necessarily one. Therefore, “What is a Christian?”
A Christian is a believer in Christ (John 8:24). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26). A Christian is one that believes Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Again John wrote, “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). But it includes more than faith alone on man’s part (James 2:24).
A Christian is one that repents of his sins (Acts 3:19). Repentance is a change of mind regarding sin with a view to amend one’s life. Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3). Yet it includes more.
A Christian is one that confesses Christ (Romans 10:10). Jesus said, “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). But there is more.
A Christian is one who has been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). One cannot become a Christian without having sins forgiven, by baptism (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). But there is more.
A Christian is one whose life harmonizes with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (John 8:12). John writes, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Now we are getting the idea that there is more to being a Christian than being a good person. A Christian is one who is a disciple (learner) of Christ (Acts 11:26); he is an obedient child (1 Peter 1:13-16). He is holy (1 Peter 1:16), whose life is a sermon (1 Peter 2:11). A Christian is one who resists the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9) and holds fast that which is good and abstains from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22); he hates sin (Psalm 1:1). He is one who fears God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14); he is upright (Psalm 106:3).
What is a Christian? He lives by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).