“Do you consider yourself a Christian?”

“The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)

            “Do you consider yourself a Christian?” The word “Christian” was first applied to believers by those who lived around them in Antioch. The word “Christians” means “Anointed Ones.” Obviously, it was not used to deride these believers; but was used as a term of respect by those who were friendly toward them.

            Later, God’s elect used the term to refer to themselves. Peter speaks of God’s suffering saints, assuring us that anyone who suffers “as a Christian,” anyone who suffers because of his faith in Christ, has no reason to be ashamed, but only to glorify God (1 Peter 4:16).

            Yet, the word “Christian” was very soon corrupted in the minds of men to represent nothing more than a religious order, a religious system and a chosen set of beliefs. Agrippa told Paul that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian (Acts 26:28). Like most people today, that ignorant man thought, “I can choose to become a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Christian.”

            Most people consider a Christian to be anyone who believes that Jesus of Nazareth is (or was) the Messiah. Papists, Mormons and Russellites (Jehovah’s Witnesses) as well as Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians are all considered “Christian” religions. Many think that all Americans are Christians, unless they choose some other religion. And many imagine that they are Christians because their parents are Christians, or because they have been raised in Church.

            Would it be better to use the word “believer” to describe ourselves? In most of the churches with which you and I are commonly associated, “believer” is the word by which God’s saints are distinguished from others. Yet, that word is also corrupted by most. Indeed, many profess to be believers who are not. That has always been the case (John 2:23-25; 12:42-43). You may believe all the right doctrine and still be an unbeliever.

            If I am asked, “Are you a Christian?” or “Are you a believer?” or “Are you born again?” I answer, “I hope that I am; and I am confident that my hope is good, because I believe that the man Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of God. I trust him as my Savior and Lord. His blood alone has atoned for my sins. His righteousness alone makes me righteous. Yes, I hope I am born of God, a believer, a Christian, a child of God, because I trust Christ.”

            Christianity is not just a religion. Christianity is “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Many years ago I was asked by a man sitting next to me in a hospital, “What does it take to be a true Christian?” After a brief pause, praying that the Lord would give me the right words to answer him, I said, — “Nothing from you, but all of you. True Christianity is the voluntary surrender of your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting him alone for the salvation of your soul.”

            I ask you the question my granddaughter was asked last week. — “Do you consider yourself a Christian?” If so, I ask you — “Why? What is the basis of your hope before God?” If you have a good hope, you can answer that question. If you do not have a good hope, you cannot and you are not a Christian.

Don Fortner

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