What it means to be a Christian has evolved over time, at least according to culture. Many people believe that attending church on occasion or merely believing in God qualifies them as Christians. The Bible, on the other hand, gives a different perspective and description of a Christian.
A Christian is someone whose actions and attitudes reflect Jesus Christ.
In Antioch, followers of Jesus were originally referred to as “Christians.” According to Acts 11:26, “…Barnabas and Saul spent an entire year meeting with the church and teaching a large number of people. Initially, the disciples were referred to as Christians in Antioch.” They were dubbed “Christians” because their speech and manner resembled that of Christ.
Who is a Christian?
A person is said to be a Christian if they have faith in Jesus Christ and adhere to the teachings that he provided.
It is essential to have the understanding that just because a person is born into a Christian nation, culture, or home does not automatically mean that they are a Christian. No one in this world is automatically converted to Christianity at birth. Even if a person identifies as Christian or expresses approval of Christian values, this does not constitute that person a Christian. It is impossible for anyone to become a Christian based on their own moral fortitude, sense of right and wrong, education, abilities, or sensitivity to feelings.
What Does it Mean to Be a Born Again Christian?
The best answer to this question is captured by Jesus himself in his chat whit Nicodemus. Nicodemus had asked, How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!
and Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
John 3:5-6 (NIV)
The “natural man” must be thrown off to become a “new creature” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:16–17). This new creature is spiritual, not carnal or worldly. In essence, we must replace carnal, selfish, natural goals and purposes with spiritual ones.
Without this adjustment, we risk being “cast off” and can’t inherit God’s kingdom, Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
Everyone born dies and is resurrected. Each of us must overcome our own spiritual death by being spiritually reborn. By accepting that Jesus is lord and believing that Jesus died and was resurrected on the third day, that is the point we can boldly say “We are born again”
What Does it Mean to Behave Like Jesus Christ?
The Bible, God’s authentic and authoritative Word, speaks of Jesus’ humanity. He, like us, worked, slept, went hungry, and wept.
It also explains how He became God. Not only does Jesus claim it (see John 8:58; John 10:30; John 5:17-18), but He also raised the dead, forgiven sins, and cast out demons. All of these are activities that only God, who has complete dominion over everything, could perform.
He was totally human, tempted as we are, but he did not succumb to temptation. According to the author of Hebrews,
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, but is without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
The word Christain actually translates to mean “Christ Like” and it was first used in Antioch to describe the disciples because they behaved and acted like Jesus in all manners. Acts 11: 26
Summary: Am I a Christian?
To summarise it all, “Christian” refers to any man, woman, or child who trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and follows Him in all aspects of life. Evangelicals emphasise a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is lived out via prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and service in Jesus’ name. Christian religion must be expressed to other believers. In the end, it’s a personal matter, not a question of church membership or doctrine. “Whoever calls on the Lord shall be saved,” says the Bible (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32).
Focus on the Family has consistently supported C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Lewis used this word to allude to universal Christian principles. We don’t adhere to a denominational definition of “Christianity.” We’re an interdenominational ministry that follows St. Augustine’s motto: “In fundamentals, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, kindness.”
Our definition of Christianity also considers Nicaea and Chalcedon’s statements. These councils defined the Trinitarian essence of God and the “hypostatic union” of Jesus’ human and divine natures. These biblical criteria are essential for determining a religion’s “Christianity,” in our view.
We don’t believe a “Christian” is somebody who “believes in Jesus” and “follows His teachings.” If this were true, the Gnostics, Manicheans, Arians, Marcionites, Docetists, and first-century Judaizers would also be members. The New Testament writers and early church Fathers were against this.
If you want to know the “attributes” or “characteristics” of a true Christian, Christ’s definition is the finest. Dr Francis Schaeffer called to love the “mark of the Christian.” “All will know you are My disciples if you love one another,” stated Jesus (John 13:35).
Verbal confessions of religion should also be taken seriously. Beyond this, it’s impossible to identify real disciples from posers. As Jesus said in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13), God will decide on Judgment Day. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will expose the heart’s counsel. Then everyone will worship God (1 Corinthians 4:5).