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To get off on the right track, we need to take a better look at the
definition of what Christianity is and who are Christians.
Given that I am only human, I will seek the ultimate authority on
what a Christian is.
Since the definition of Christianity deals with the teachings of
and about Jesus...which is only found in the 66 Books of the Holy
Bible...lets start there.
The term Christian is only used three times in the Bible.
(All quotes from the Bible are taken from the New American Standard
Bible unless otherwise indicated.)1
In Acts 11:26 we find the first mention of Christian.
"...And it came about that for an entire
year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and
the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
The second time is in Acts 26:28-29 when King Agrippa is speaking
with the Apostle Paul.
"And Agrippa replied to Paul, 'In
a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.' And Paul said,
'I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you,
but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except
for these chains.'" (emphasis author's)
The final time it is used is in I Peter 4:16-17.
"but if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him
glorify God. For it is time for judgment to begin with
the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will
be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
So let's examine the context in which they were used.
1 Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE,
© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, by the
Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
2 Webster's Revised
Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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- In Acts 11:26 the term Christian was used to describe the
disciples of Christ. The term Disciple means, "One
who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner;
especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth
of the doctrine of his teacher..."2
So from here we can piece together that a Christian is a
follower of Christ that has learned, believes and professes the
Truth and doctrine of Christ.
- In Acts 26:28-29 the label was given to mean someone who
transforms from one person into another. This
transformation Paul is seeking for others is not for them to
become like himself, rather like the One he is imitating--Jesus
Christ.
This second piece of the puzzle indicates that a Christian needs
to give up his old life--in effect die to himself--and seek to
live a life like Christ. This is backed up by the entire
theme of the New Testament.
- The final part in the trinity of the Christian definition
comes from I Peter 4:16-17. This verse tells us that we as
Christians need to glorify God in the name we have been given as
Christians.
If you read and study all of chapter 4 of I Peter, it tells of
how Christians are to dedicate their lives to Service and
Suffering. This is the life that Christ lived for us. We
are to give our lives for him as He did for us.
So putting these three Biblical pieces together with other
Biblical knowledge, we can form our own definition of what a
Christian is:
Christian: A person
that has learned, believes, and
professes the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the 66 Books
of the Holy Bible and has
accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
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Soldier
of Christ
