What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

You may think that you already know what a Christian is. But for centuries, Satan has been altering this view so much that presently non-Christians and Christians alike have a distorted, incorrect view of exactly what it means to be a Christian.

Am I a Christian when my sins are forgiven?

No, not necessarily. Having forgiveness of sins is salvation. Although they have received forgiveness, a Christian is more than a person who has been forgiven. Having forgiveness of sins is a state of being; Being a Christian is a chosen lifestyle. There's a big difference between being a Christian and being saved. Let's look at why.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, one who has the Holy Spirit living in him or her.

The first Christians were called disciples. A disciple is a disciplined follower of his or her teacher. These dedicated followers left their homes, jobs and families to come with Jesus wherever he might take them. The apostles were also followers of Jesus, but given their unique name because of their calling from God to be sent into the world. Other names of Christ-followers include the Way (Acts 9:2), the brothers (Acts 9:30), the believers (Acts 2:44) and the Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5).

The Original Greek

These Christ-followers were first called "Christians" at the city of Antioch in Acts 11:26. The original Greek for Christian is transliterated Christianos. "The ending ianos, denoting an adherent of someone, was applied to slaves belonging to the great families in the Roman Empire. One who worshipped the emperor, the Caesar, or Kaisar, was called Kaisarianos, which means an adherent of Kaisar, a person who belongs to Kaisar" (RcV NT Bible footnote from 1 Peter 4:16 page 1137-1138).

The Definition Jesus Gave

Jesus explained what it meant to be a Christian in Matthew 16:24. He said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me" (NLT). Let's examine each of the three parts Jesus listed.

1. Put aside your selfish ambition

   The desires we naturally have are in opposition to that which God desires (Galatians 5:16-17). But the Holy Spirit makes us a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17) and gives us new desires (Romans 8:9).

    

2. Shoulder your cross

   The cross was a vivid picture that the disciples fully understood. To take up your cross meant to face death spiritually and possibly even physically. Our sinful way of life dies (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24) and Christ's new life lives in us (Galatians 2:20). And for some, following Christ would cost them their lives physically.

    

3. Follow me

   To be a Christian, we must follow Christ. We must act the way he acted. We must speak the way he spoke. We must love the way he loved.