What is a Christian

The biblical meaning of a Christian is simply one who follows Christ.

Three times we find the word "Christian" in the Bible -- twice in "The Acts of the Apostles" and again in the first Epistle of Peter. It was in Antioch that disciples of Christ were first called "Christians". Obviously this term caught on, as we see in Acts 26, King Agrippa says to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

In Peter's epistle (letter) he writes, "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."

Biblically speaking, "Christians" are Christ-followers; people who have heard "the gospel message" and have given up their old way of living and thinking, in response to the "good news" that their relationship with God can be restored by trusting in the work of Christ. These are people who have been made aware of their need for God by the "Holy Spirit" (also called "the Spirit of Christ" -- cf. Acts 16:7; 2 Cor 3:17; Gal 4:6).

When a person opens their heart to Christ, their whole character changes and they seek to become Christ-like in everything they think, say and do. They abandon their former way of life which was characterized by pride, self-centeredness and self-seeking. As a new person in Christ, their focus is on Christ. As such, humility replaces pride, and they learn to give instead of take. They desire to be holy and avoid anything and everything that goes against the will of God. They think upon God's Word day and night and become a living testimony to the love and goodness of God.

As a result, many of their former friends develop a strong dislike of the Christian's new life and will mock, tease and taunt their old friend. Some may even go so far as to be physically and emotionally abusive and do things to them in an effort to get them in trouble. This is to be expected, for it is just as Jesus said it would be for those who follow him (cf. Matt 10:22, 24:9; Mk 13:13; Lk 6:22, 21:17; Jn 15:18-19; 1 Jn 3:13). That is why Jesus warns us that those who desire to follow him must "count the cost" of doing so ahead of time (see Lk 14:25-33 and 9:57-62).

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other" (Matt. 6:24 and Lk 16:13).

Some people have the mistaken idea that if they turn their life over to Christ, all their troubles will go away. Such a teaching is false and causes many to turn their back on God. A Life in Christ will not put an end to problems of this life. More often than not, trouble increases for those who choose to follow Christ -- simply because they did choose to follow him! God does not promise us an easy life here on earth. In fact, part of "counting the cost" is understanding that we will receive our reward in heaven. We must first overcome (or conquer) the trials and temptations that are part-and-parcel of our life on earth (cf. Rom 12:21; 1 Jn 5:4-5; Rev 2:7,11,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7).

Christianity is not a form of "fire insurance" -- something to believe just in case hell is real.

Christianity is an intimate journey into the heart of God.

Christianity is not about religion -- rituals and legalistic observation of a set of standards has absolutely nothing to do with following Christ and everything to do with the traditions of men.

Christianity is all about the heart of man becoming one with the heart of God. (cf. Mark 12:28-34, John 17:11, 21-22 and Romans 10:5-13)