Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What Is A Christian?

The word Christian is an at risk term. That is to say, it is so widely used by those both inside and outside the church and has such a wide spectrum of referents as, on the one hand, non-Roman Catholics to, on the other, ultra-conservative, right-wing "born again believers", that it is in danger of losing its original meaning. How did the term Christian originate? What are the major implications of that name? What is the correct meaning of that word? What does the Bible intend when it describes some persons as Christians?

The name Christian was first, perhaps mockingly, applied to Jesus' followers by the Roman Gentiles in Antioch: “.. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." Acts 11:26. Apart from this reference, Christian is only used on two other occasions in the New Testament: Acts 26:28 and 1 Pe 4:16.
In the former case, the convicted but arrogant Herod Agrippa II rejects Paul’s evangelistic appeal by evasively asking “.. "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"” In the latter, Peter affirms that God is glorified when believers suffer for the sake and cause of Christ (note similar language and context in v. 14) rather than as murderers, thieves, evildoers or meddlers, v. 15. Prior to the occasion of Acts 11, Christians described themselves as believers, Acts 4:32; disciples, 6:1; and those belonging to the Way, 9:2. Christianity was commonly called the Way, 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22; etc.

In his Word Studies of the New Testament, Marvin R. Vincent notes that the passive verb "called" has an original meaning of "to transact business" or "to have dealings with." When one was called a Christian meant one bore the name by which one was associated in the normal affairs and communications of life. As the terms Matthew the tax collector, Mt 10:3; Luke the physician, Col 4:14; Alexander the coppersmith, 2 Tim 4:14; Rahab the prostitute, Josh 6:17, 25; Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25; and so on, all specify persons whose identities were inseparable related to their beliefs, vocations, business of life and primary associations and activities, likewise the name Christian signifies the peculiar dogma, relationship, conduct and customs of its name-bearers. That the followers of Christ decided to keep this title points to their high sense of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ and to their defiant and noble recognition of the supreme dignity and importance of their Lord, Jesus Christ.

Christian, Greek Christianos, is made up of the Greek word for Christ/Messiah, Christos, and the Latin ending ianus, meaning belonging to or identified by. (Note, Kaesarianus likewise meant belonging to Caesar). The ending -ian also means belonging to the party of someone and in this case it would mean one who belongs to Jesus' party; a follower of Christ; a disciple of Christ; an adherent to Christ and his teachings; one bearing a close identification with Christ by having the same views, desires, motives, and so on as he did, etc.

The significance of the name lies in its distinctiveness: non-believing communities recognized Christians as as a distinct group, one that was being more and more separated from Judaism and one that was in uncompromising conflict with the existing pagan religions. As a result, this new religious group stood to lose the status and the protection Rome provided to Judaism as a legally recognized religion. This was probably largely due to the fact that the church's confession, Christ is Lord, stood in open and bold contrast and contention with that of the Roman world, Caesar is Lord.

From all the above, we can clearly see that the term Christian defines us and places lifelong demands upon us. It is not a casual nickname or a convenient label; it is definitive, that is, it lies at the very center of our identity, it occupies the very core of our being. For these reasons, being a Christian is a full-time vocation. It is not a seasonal fad, a preferred vogue, a "cool" slogan, an expedient title to adorn our resumés, or a beneficial tag to enhance our acceptability in certain circles. Christian defines who we are and determines how we are to live as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ who owns us. It is a public badge declaring our identity with Christ, confirming that we have certain beliefs concerning his Person and substitutionary atoning work and resultantly, denoting how we are to "do business" in the world. To be called a Christian, therefore, is to be marked as one who regards and reveres Christ as the source of his identity; the path and direction of his life; the fullness of his significance; the One most worthy of imitation in all areas of life, and as the very cause of his existence, his raison d'être, the reason for his being. A Christian is therefore one who belongs to Christ, 1 Cor 15:23; Gal 5:24. "..[Y]ou are Christ's'.." 1 Cor 3:23; Gal 3:29.

The term Christian therefore is controlling, comprehensive and complete. Because of the pleromic nature of Christ in whose physical body the fullness of the Godhead dwells,Col 2:9, nothing could be added to it.

Are you a Christian?

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