Webster’s dictionary defines a Christian as “a person who professes belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point for understanding who a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it somehow fails to actually communicate the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.
The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament—in Acts 11:26 ; Acts 26:28 , and 1 Peter 4:16 . Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch because their behavior, activity, and speech were like that of Christ ( Acts 11:26 ). Literally the word Christian means “belonging to the party of Christ” or “supporter or follower of Christ,” which is very similar to the way Webster’s Dictionary defines it.
Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost much of its meaning and is often used to describe someone who is religious or has high moral values, rather than a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe or trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they attend church or live in a “Christian” nation. But attending church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. “Attending church does not make you a Christian, any more than going to a garage makes you a car.” Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church do not make you a Christian.
The Bible teaches us that good works that we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus chapter 3 and verse 5 tells us that “God saved us, not because of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (spiritually speaking) and has placed his faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We see this in John 3:3 , 7 , and 1 Peter 1:23 . In Ephesians 2:8 we read that “By grace we have been saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift, the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast or glory.”
A true Christian is a person who has placed his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ, who recognizes that He died on the cross as payment for all of the personal sins of each of us and that He rose again on the third day to gain victory over death, to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12He tells us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is truly a child of God, a part of the true family of God, and one who has been given a new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is to demonstrate love for others and obedience to God’s Word. We see this in the Holy Scriptures in 1 John 2:4 and 1 John 2:10 .
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