Bible Moment
for the days of February 2nd - 8th, 2012
Do You Know What A "Christian" Is?
What is a Christian... really? The question is not clearly answered by Websters Dictionary, nor by popular opinion. A “so-called” Christian deed or attitude or way of life, or even denominational membership, does not prove that one is a Christian. We must turn to the Bible, specifically the New Testament, for our answer to this vital question.
Here is what you find. The word, Christian, is used only three times in the Bible. Acts 11:26 says, “... the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch.” So no one in the Old Testament period was a Christian, obviously; nor during Jesus’ lifetime.
The term is used in a very specific sense, not general. For example, these disciples called Christians migrated from the Jerusalem area because of persecution. So a reading of Acts 2 would definitely show what they had believed and had been told what to do for forgiveness of sins in Jesus the Savior. They were taught to know with assurance that this Jesus whom they crucified was both Lord and Christ, the Divine Son of God. When they asked in Acts 2:37 what they should do, Peter told them in verse 38, “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
In the second use of the word, “Christian” is in Acts 26:27-29 where Paul identifies himself as a Christian. In Acts 22:16, the preacher Ananias said to Saul, later Paul, “Why are you waiting, arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” The third use is in 1 Peter 4:16 in which the name “Christian” is identified with those who were members of household of God, suffering for righteousness.
We profess to simply be Christians and Christians only. Would you like to learn about “Bible based” Christianity? The New Testament has God's answers and those answers are the right ones. Simply us leave your address by going to our contact page and e-mailing about your desire to take our free 4 part Bible Correspondence course. When you return lesson #1 with your marked answers in our pre-stamped envelope, I'll send you any corrections with Bible verses, plus the next lesson. Let the spiritual adventure begin!!! -Ken Sils
