What is a Christian, Biblically Speaking?

1. The word “Christian” or “Christians” is only used three times in the entire Bible.

            Act 11:26 – And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

            Notice that is was the disciples who assembled themselves with the church who were called Christians.

            Disciple n. – 1. One who follows or attends upon another for the purpose of learning from him; a pupil or scholar.

            A disciple is one that continues in Jesus word.

            Joh 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

            To continue (to carry on, keep up, maintain, go on with, persist in) in Jesus’ word, one must first START by repenting and being baptized which adds one to the membership of a local church.

            Act 2:37 – Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

            Act 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

            Act 2:41 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

            Act 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

            Act 2:47 – Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

            To be a disciple who learns of Christ, one must be in the church where he is taught by a pastor whom God has appointed to teach his people.

            Eph 4:11 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

            Eph 4:12 – For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

            Eph 4:13 – Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

            A Christian then is a disciple who has been baptized and is a member of a local church who assembles himself with the church where he learns of Christ.

            Act 26:28 – Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

            A Christian is more than just a believer in Christ who will not commit to him by repenting, being baptized, and being a member of His church.

            King Agrippa believe the prophets which testified the same thing that Paul did: that Christ suffered and rose from the dead.

            Act 26:22 – Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

            Act 26:23 – That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

            Act 26:26 – For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

            Act 26:27 – King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

            Though King Agrippa believed the gospel that Jesus died and rose again, he was not willing to become a Christian by being baptized and assembling with a church.

            1Pe 4:16 – Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

            A Christian will suffer for his faith.

            A person can be a believer in Christ, but to avoid persecution some will not publicly confess him and be baptized.

            Joh 12:42 – Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

            Joh 12:43 – For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

            These people were believers in Christ, but not Christians.

1. A Biblically defined Christian then is a believer who is a disciple who has publicly confessed Christ, been baptized, and added to a local church where he assembles with other disciples to worship God and learn of Christ from the pastor whom God has appointed to teach the church.