Christians
Introduction. The
name “Christian” is used often, but what does the Bible say it means to be a
Christian?
I.
The Name “Christian” in the New Testament.
A. One
who suffers for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14-17).
1. Who
turns from sin (4:15).
2. Who
has obeyed the gospel (4:17).
B. One
becomes a Christian (Acts 26:1-29).
1. It
involves persuasion to accept belief and practice (26:28).
2. It
is not a condition of birth.
3. It
is not partial acceptance, but “altogether” (26:29).
C. A
Christian is a disciple of Christ (Acts 11:19-26).
1. It
involves turning from sin to the Lord (11:21).
2. It
involves continuing with the Lord (11:23).
3. To
understand what a Christian is we must understand what it means to be a
disciple.
·
One
must bear his cross (Luke 14:26-27).
·
One
must deny self (Mark 8:34-35).
·
It
involves Baptism and obedience (Matt. 28:16-20).
II.
How the Name “Christian” is Not used in the New Testament.
A. As
a category or genre. It is used to describe people, not things.
1. Music,
books, or schools may or may not hold to truth.
2. This
concern led the college some brethren operate as individuals to no longer be
called “Florida Christian College” but simply “Florida College.”
3. Some
would argue that it cannot be used as an adjective at any time. Can “Christian”
be used as an adjective? Properly, it is an adjective used as a noun. Latin
ending –ianus came into Greek –ianos as an equivalent to the
possessive (cf. kuriakos “Lord’s Supper” 1 Cor. 11:20; “Lord’s Day”
Rev. 1:10).
4. Christians
are the people that belong to the Lord.
B. Of
those who accept part of the gospel, but not all of it.
1. “Altogether”
(Acts 26:29).
2. Turning
to
the Lord and from sin (Acts 11:21).
3. Obedience
to Jesus’ commands (Matt. 28:20).
4. It
communicates the wrong thing to call those “Christians” who do not match the
biblical definition of the name.
Conclusion. Are
you a Christian?