WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?
From Austin Mobley and reworked by David Riggs
Intro.
A. The name "Christian" is found three times in the New Testament.
Acts 11:26; 26:28: 1 Pet. 4:16
B. It is a noble and honorable thing to wear the name of Christ.
James 2:5-7
1. That honorable name the rich were blaspheming, no doubt,
was the name of Christ.
2. The name by which they were called was "Christian."
C. Who is a Christian?
1. It is one who is much more than a baptized person, a church
member, or a weekly worshiper.
a. There are many counterfeit Christians, but few real
ones.
I. LET'S CONSIDER THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME.
A. Isa. 62:2
1. God promised to give a "new name." Isa. 62:1-2
a. It would not be an old name with new significance.
2. It would be given when the Gentiles would see the
righteousness of Zion.
3. The mouth of the Lord would give this name.
a. It would not be one given by enemies.
b. See chart below on how the word "called" is used.
B. Isa. 56:5
1. It was to be given "within my house." God's house is the
church. 1 Tim. 3:15
a. It would be unscriptural to call one a Christian who is
not in the house or church of the Lord.
2. It was to be an "everlasting name"; it was to last forever.
II. CONSIDER THE MEANING AND USE OF THE NAME.
A. "Follower of Christ" (Thayer); "Adherent of Christ" (Vine)
1. In some languages a disciple is a "trailer"; that is, a
person who follows behind.
B. Use of the name "Christian."
1. There are no hyphenated Christians. Many say, "Baptist-
Christian, Methodist-Christian, etc."
a. We should not use the terms, "conservative Christian"
or "liberal Christian."
b. The Lord never prefixed or suffixed the name Christian.
2. "Christian" is a noun, not an adjective!
a. The name Christian is tacked on to many things - a
Christian home, Christian school, Christian college,
Christian Sabbath, etc.
b. One even used the term "Christian Atheist."
(1) He thought if he was good moral Atheist, he was a
Christian Atheist.
(2) This is about as likely as having fried snowballs for
lunch.
3. If you can't baptize it, it should not be called a
Christian.
III. WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS?
A. Those who are not in God's family, the church.
1. One might wear the name even though he is not entitled to
do so.
2. One might call himself "Jones" when not a member of the
Jones family.
a. It is a name assumed rather than assigned.
b. There is a lot of identity thief today wherein one steals
the name and identity of another.
(1) The thief causes much harm and loss to his victim.
c. Abraham Lincoln used to ask people "If a cow's tail is
called a leg, how many legs does she have?"
(1) Most people would answer, "five."
(2) He would answer, "No, it still would be four. Calling
the tail a leg does not make it one!"
e. Likewise, calling one a Christian does not make him
one!
B. Not all "good" people are Christians.
1. Morality is required, but morality alone does not make one a
Christian.
2. Nicodemus was a good man, but he had to be born again.
John 3:1-5
3. Cornelius was a good man, but he had to hear words to be
saved. Acts 11:14
C. Not all "religious" people are Christians.
1. Some heathens are religious. Acts 17:22
2. Paul held to what was false. Acts 26:5,9
3. There are two kinds of religion, pure and defiled. James
1:26-27
D. Not all church members are Christians.
1. Joining or attending a church does not make one a Christian.
2. There are many who are in the "church of Christ" who are
not Christians at all.
IV. WHO ARE CHRISTIANS?
A. Wearing the name "American" involves the duty of upholding the
constitution, obeying the laws, displaying good citizenship,
etc.
1. He is not to disobey its laws, burn its flag, etc. We call
these things un-American.
B. Wearing the name "Christian" involves a life of duty to Christ.
C. A Christian is something one IS, not just something he is
called.
D. A Christian is one who has obeyed the gospel.
1. The person who is "in Christ" is a Christian.
2. One must be baptized "into Christ" to be "in Christ." Gal
3:26-27
V. TO SEE IF WE ARE CHRISTIANS, WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES THESE
QUESTIONS.
A. First and foremost, have I obeyed the gospel? As we have shown,
one cannot be a Christian who hasn't put on Christ.
B. Did I obey the gospel from conviction or convenience? Rom.
6:17
1. If it was for family, prestige, etc., there was no
conviction.
C. Am I willing to suffer as a Christian? 1 Pet. 4:16; Heb.
10:32-34
1. One who is willing to suffer for something has deep
conviction.
2. One who is unwilling to suffer for the name of Christ is not
a Christian.
D. Am I separated from the world in recreation, language, conduct,
apparel? Rom. 12:2
E. Am I truly devoted to Christ?
1. Do I love the brethren, or do I have no time for them? John
13:34-35
2. Do I attend the minimum or maximum number of services?
Heb. 10:25
3. Do I give liberally or miserly? Do I sacrifice or give God
the leftovers?
F. Am I truly interested in leading others to Christ?
1. Christ came to seek and to save the lost. We need to follow
in His steps.
G. Do I appreciate strong preaching?
1. Am I offended when the Bible condemns my sins?
2. What is my reaction when religious error is exposed? Gal.
4:16; John 6:66
H. Am I growing in the faith? 2 Pet. 1:5-8
1. Am I concerned about my spiritual development and that of
my family?
2. We must "glorify God in this name." 1 Pet. 4:10-11
Concl.
A. When one's spirit leaves your body, the all-important question
will not be:
1. Was he rich, a great athlete, scholar...?
2. But rather, "Was he (she) a Christian?"
B. Are we really Christians, or just wearing the name?
C. You can become a Christian today?
Chart:
"Chrematizo" - "To be called, admonished (warned) of God." (Strong)
This unusual Greek word is found nine times in the New Testament.
Matt. 2:12 - divinely warned
Matt. 2:22 - warned by God
Luke 2:26 - revealed
Acts 10:22 - divinely instructed
Acts 11:26 - called
Rom. 7:3 - called
Heb. 8:5 - divinely instructed
Heb. 11:7 - divinely warned
Heb. 12:25 - Him who spoke