What is a Christian?

A Christian is a person who is a follower of Jesus Christ; someone who has begun a personal relationship with him. Unfortunately, the term ‘Christian’ has been abused and misused frequently over the centuries, so it is important and most helpful to consider what it meant when it was first coined.

In the New Testament of the Bible, the part that deals with the life and work of Jesus Christ, the book of Acts, chapter 11, contains the first recorded use of the name ‘Christian’ in reference to a particular kind of person. Jesus’ followers were spreading news about him wherever they went, telling others of what he had done for them. When some of them went to the city of Antioch, once the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, but now part of modern Turkey, Acts 11:21 records that, “a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” A little later, in verse 25 of the same chapter we read, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

So, when the term Christian was first used, it meant someone who had believed and turned to the Lord. That is still the sense in which it should be used today.

What did the earliest Christians believe? That Jesus was God’s son, literally God in the form of a man. He lived a perfect life, taught inspiringly, healed miraculously and was executed by ancient Roman crucifixion. However, his death was no accident of history, despite the extent of the injustice that saw him killed in such a ghastly manner. The Bible demonstrates that Jesus died as a sacrifice, accepting the penalty for God’s anger at human imperfection, self-centredness and wickedness. He died as a substitute for people so that whoever believes can face God on the day of judgement, that we must all surely face, forgiven and declared acceptable to him.

The earliest Christians also believed that Jesus, although he really did die, did not remain dead, but was raised from the grave to new life. Passed on from eye-witnesses to others, this belief in Jesus’ resurrection has always been at the heart of genuine Christian faith and is the best explanation of the facts of what occurred back in about AD 33. Jesus’ resurrection proved him to be the Son of God, showed that his sacrifice was acceptable to God, and gives all who believe hope that they, too, can one day live eternally after their physical life has come to an end.

The Christians at Antioch believed that Jesus died and was made alive again and they turned to him as Lord. They turned from their old life with its selfish motivations, desires and ambitions and began living for Jesus, enjoying the benefits of a relationship with the living God where what he required of them became their greatest joy. To have Jesus as Lord means to turn from seeking our own way and to acknowledge him as our new master, understanding that what he desires for us is always in our best interests and results in perfect freedom.

The first Christians at Antioch believed and turned. Later in the New Testament, the book of Romans chapter 10 verse 9, says, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” That is what it means to become a Christian.

If you want to know more about receiving God’s forgiveness or about being sure you have eternal life, please contact us at CCW or follow the link to the Two Ways To Live outline of the essential Christian message.

Click here to go to the Two Ways to Live website.