Are We A True “Christian?”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesBack in the early 1990’s, a singer-songwriter by the name of Marc Cohn scored a hit song entitled, “Walking in Memphis.” The narrator of that song is a young musician who travels to seek his fame and fortune “in the land of the Delta blues,” Memphis, Tennessee.
As the aspiring blues musician wanders the streets of the city, he stops into a nightclub where he is invited to sing onstage with the house band. Impressed with the novice’s performance of a gospel number, the band’s regular female vocalist asks the young man, “Tell me, are you a Christian, child?” The singer replies, “Ma’am, I am tonight.”
Many religious folks are like this young man. If you asked them, “Are you a Christian?” They would reply, “I am” — not because they have truly given themselves to the teachings of Christ or are actively obeying His commandments, but because it’s the expected answer.
Many of these folks haven’t a clue as to what it means to be a true Christian, or even of how to become one. But they want to be well thought of, so if asked whether they are Christians, they’ll usually respond in the affirmative.
In Acts 11:26, Luke writes:
“The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.“
It’s interesting to note that Luke does not say, “The disciples first called themselves Christians at Antioch,” but that the disciples were “called Christians” there. The language indicates that the disciples at Antioch did not adopt the name “Christian” of their own volition, but that it was applied to them.
Some suggest that the name “Christian” was originally a derisive term invented as an insult by those who opposed the way of Jesus. But in fact, God had foretold that He would confer upon His people a new name:
“The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name” (Isaiah 62:2).
Acts 11:26 represents the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. While Saul (later called Paul) and Barnabas were in Antioch, God revealed this new name and it was applied to the followers of Jesus.
When we realize that the name “Christian” was not something people called themselves, but something they were called by the instruction and direction of God, it puts the name in a whole new light. A person can call himself or herself anything.
For example, if our parents named us John Smith at birth and we prefer to be known by some other name, we can simply call ourselves by any name we’ve chosen. For legal purposes we may need to take additional steps, but these are usually mere formalities.
And if it’s just a matter of address, we don’t even have to do that — we just start introducing ourselves by the new name until others adopt it. We do this all the time: “Charles” prefers to be called “Chuck,” or “Margaret” likes to be addressed as “Maggie.”
On the other hand, a name bestowed has special significance. An English subject can’t start calling himself “Lord Stevens” or “Sir Harold” unless the Queen honors him with a lordship or knighthood. We can’t get away with calling ourselves “Dr. Williams” unless some recognized institution of higher learning has granted us a doctorate degree.
Thus, an individual can’t genuinely call himself a Christian unless Christ calls him such. Jesus recognizes as His disciples those who believe on Him, have been baptized under His authority and who do all that He has commanded (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19-20). For those who comply with these requirements, He adds to His church (Acts 2:41-42; Acts 2:47).
Even an infidel like King Agrippa recognized that there were things he would have to do to become a Christian. He just didn’t want to do them, although he was “almost persuaded” that he should (Acts 26:28).
Being a true Christian is more than simply saying, “I am one tonight.” It means being a true follower (disciple) of Jesus, wherever that discipleship might lead (1 Peter 4:16; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).