David, are you a Christian?

Stranger questions have been asked.  But I am an evangelist, a gospel preacher.  The answer should be obvious.

In the midst of a conversation about Christians, the gentle lady that I was conversing with got real quiet, and in a voice that manifested both concern and wonder asked, “Well David, are you a Christian?”

What provoked that question?  She assured me it was nothing my behavior, and I found that to be a relief.  It was apparent to me that she wanted to know what a Christian was.  It is amazing, but there are many who simply don’t know what a Christian is.

A person is not a Christian because he is born in what might be called a “Christian nation.”  There really is no such thing, unless you are talking about the spiritual kingdom, the church.  One is not a Christian because he prefers Western Culture or adheres to Judeo-Christian moral principles.  Many people who are not religious at all would fall into that category.  Being in the family of people who are Christians doesn’t make one a Christian, and simply choosing to call oneself a Christian doesn’t make one a Christian.

It is said of Abraham Lincold that he once put it to his generals this way:

“Say you had a cow, and you called that cows tail a leg, how many legs would the cow then have?”

Now you count with me, and what do you come up with?  Five?  That is what all of Mr. Lincoln’s generals told him, and that is what most everyone I have asked the same question has told me.  But that answer is wrong. 

“The cow at last has four legs” said Abe.  “You may call the tail a leg, but that doesn’t make it one.  It is still a tail.”

You may call a man a Christian, but that doesn’t make him one.  And you may call yourself a Christian, but that doesn’t make you one.  We should be concerned with what the Bible says about being a Christian, and if we conform to the Bible teaching, then we may use the name.

It will be a surprise to many, but the word “Christian” only three times in the New Testament.  It is used by Luke in the above cited passage.  Peter tells us not to be ashamed of that name (1 Pet. 4:16), and Aggrippa uses the word in response to Paul’s effort to teach him the gospel (Acts 26:28).

“…  And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

The word is transliterated from Christianos, “a Christian, a follower of Christ” (Thayer).  But the best definition of “Christian” is found in Acts 11:26.  Christian is a name given to disciples of Christ.  But what is a disciple of Christ?  The Scriptures also furnish us with the answer to that.  “Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples” (John 8:31).  [The KJV says, “If ye continue in my word …”]  So a Christian is a true disciple who continues in obedient submission to the teachings of Jesus.

In the same context Jesus says this, “Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).  In keeping with Thayer’s definition, continuing in the teaching of Jesus might be described as following Jesus.  Jesus says that those who follow him don’t walk in the darkness, but have the light of life.  It is much the same thing that he says in vs. 32:  “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  The true disciple, the follower of Jesus walks not in the darkness of ignorance and sin, but in the light of knowledge and freedom, for he follows the light of the world.

A Christian, then, is one who does what Jesus tells him in the Scriptures.  He makes the will of Jesus, as he has expressed it in the Bible, his own will.  Whatever Jesus wants he will do.  As Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).

But it is possible that one lives a good moral life, goes to church, loves his neighbor, but he is still not a Christian.  There is something one must do to enter the discipline (become a disciple) of Christ.  Someone objects, “That sounds like becoming a Christian is like joining a club of some sort.”  I would answer, “Not exactly.”  What happens when one becomes a Christian is that he becomes a part of a fellowship of disciples called the church.  Without that, ther is no salvation, no fellowship with God or Jesus – and you cannot wear the name.

How does one join this fellowship?  First, you don’t join.  God adds you to it when you comply with the conditions of salvation.  “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47 – KJV) .  So when does that happen, how can we bring it about?  When we answer that question, we know how one becomes a disciple.

“For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).  We are baptized into the fellowship of Christ, the church.

“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19-20).  In verse 19, in the KJV, the text reads:  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”  The best reading on the original is the American Standard, as quoted above.  What the passage tells us is how the apostles were to make disciples – by baptizing them and teaching them how to live as a disciple.  One becomes a disciple by being baptized, and a true disciple continues the rest of his days doing what Jesus teaches (John 8:31).  And it is only such a disciple that is fit to wear the name Christian (Acts 11:26).

The question, “Are you a Christian?” is an important one.  Christians are followers of the teaching of Jesus and are the one who rewarded with heaven and eternal life. 

I want to be a Christian.  I want you to be one, too.  Have you been baptized into Christ? (Gal. 3:26-27).  Are you following the teaching of Jesus in the conduct of your life?  If the answer is no to either one of these questions

You are not a Christian!

I have been baptized.  I don’t always succeed in living like I ought, but as a disciple of Jesus – a Christian – I have access to the forgiveness of my sins.  That is how I answered my friend.

But then I asked her, and I ask you, “Are you a Christian?  Have you been baptized?”

God wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4), and that means he wants you, too.  Jesus died for my sins, but he died for yours, as well.  If you are not a Christian right now, you can become one quickly by obeying the Lord.

Call on us if we can help you.

We will be waiting and praying for you.