Are you a Christian?

There are a lot of people in the world today that have taken the title of “Christian”, call themselves by that name, and judge others based on whether they make the claim for themselves or not. It’s clear to see that most that are claiming to be Christian simply aren’t, and don’t even understand what the title meant in the days it was used first.. nor what it means today. Those of you that call yourself “christian” ask yourself the question…Am I a Christian? Hear God, and what God has to say on the matter. Ask God! He is sure to let you know!

Before you can ask yourself , “Am I a Christian”, you have to have an understanding of what “christian” means. So let’s look at the definition of the word “christian”, which was only used in the bible three times! If it was so important for men and women to be known as “christian” sure would seem that God would have put it in His written word more times that just three, and it wouldn’t have been a name of mockery either.. but let’s look at the meaning…

Christian (5546) Follower of Christ.
(Taken from The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

Chris tian (kris n, -ty n) 1 a masculine name: dim. Chris; fem. Christina, Christine 2 Christian X (born Carl Frederick Albert Alexander Vilhelm ) 1870-1947; king of Denmark (1912-47) n. [[ME & OE cristen < LL(Ec) Christianus < Gr christianos , a Christian < christos (see CHRIST); mod. sp. < L]] 1 a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus 2 [Colloq.] a decent, respectable person adj. 1 of Jesus Christ or his teachings 2 of or professing the religion based on these teachings 3 having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, as love, kindness, humility, etc. 4 of or representing Christians or Christianity 5 [Colloq.] humane, decent, etc. Chris tian ly adj. , adv.
(Taken from The Compact Bible Dictionary published by Zondervan)

Christian- (adj) 1. of Jesus Christ or his teachings. 2. Of or professing the religion based on these teachings. 3. Having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, as love, kindness, humility, etc. 4. Of or representing Christians or Christianity 5. (informal) humane, decent, etc.
( Taken from the Webster’s New World Dictionary)

In each definition we see the consistency in meaning to be, one that is of Jesus Christ, a follower of his teachings, and having a profession based on his teachings, and having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus. So now we have an understanding of the definition of “christian” let’s look at where and when it was used in the bible. For after all, that’s the place of honor given to the title, and part of the reason that so many identify themselves with the title!

Acts 11: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Why was it that the “disciples” were called “Christian” first in Antioch? Why didn’t Jesus call them Christians, or the church call them “Christian”?

Acts 26: 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Now here we see the word being used as a mockery from a mad man? King Agrippa tells Paul he’s gone mad, and almost persuaded the King to be a “christian” (mad man) along with Paul? Sounds like a title of honor there doesn’t it? If it was such a title of honor, depicting such worthiness, why would the King reject being called a “christian”?

I Peter 3: 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

So with this we see Peter speaking of suffering as a “Christian”, but how was it that the “Christians” referenced only three times in the bible suffered? Wasn’t the suffering the mockery of men and the calling of names of dishonor by men the suffering that they endured? Wasn’t the reason for the people of Antioch to call the disciples “Christian” simply that they were mocking men that would come into their town to tell them of the teachings of Jesus Christ who they knew had been crucified as a criminal?

The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of GOD? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? These are two very important questions that those professing to be “christian” must ask, What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of GOD.. (the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God)… and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?

The bible where the name “christian” appears, tells us plainly the answers to both of these questions! First the bible admonishes each of us to “judge ye yourselves that ye shall not be judged”.. and that is just what needs to happen right now.. as Peter states in the scripture above.. It is time that judgement must begin at the house of GOD, where is the House of God, the temple of God…YOU!

If you are going to take the name as “christian” a name that Jesus never referred to His disciples by, nor does God, then you need to ASK GOD what He considers a “christian” to be and if taking the name or title to yourself is only the traditions and teachings of men, and not the will of God? ASK HIM… Hear Him! If you call yourself a “christian” and it’s not what God has said you are, isn’t that taking the name in vain? Isn’t that following the traditions and teachings of men instead of HEARING GOD? ASK HIM!

To determine if you are a “christian” you first must know what Christ taught! What really is the Gospel of Jesus Christ… His Doctrine… His WAY! You must be willing to base that doctrine on what’s covered in the bible, the book that clearly stays that it’s limited to only part of what Jesus taught, and did. So to go back to the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and what the bible says is the teachings of Jesus Christ… and what Jesus did. Once you see, (it’s written in red in most bibles) what Jesus taught, even in the limited portions that are there, you can see if what you live is based on those teachings, or on the teachings of men other than Christ! It will be clear to you to see, most so readily called themselves “Christian”, go out to try to tell others if you’re not a “Christian” that you’re some how not acceptable to God, when they don’t really follow the teachings of Christ, but have only taken the name in Vain!

There are very few Christians in the world today, and many that have taken the name in vain!! Exalting themselves over others, in the face of being hypocrites themselves!

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