Christian

In the New Testament it is disciples (learners) who are named Christians.
Paul and Barnabas "taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch
that the disciples were first called 'Christians'"(Acts 11:26, see
Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16). As in the case of Peter and the other
eleven disciples, when they begin learning, Christians may know very
little, and still be behaving badly. So the word 'Christian' does not
mean a good person, or someone who knows a lot about the Bible, or
even someone who has made the right decision of faith. A decision
based on informed faith (as with Peter in Matthew 16:16) may come
later as a result of having been taught by the Holy Spirit. But even
after making this great decision Peter actually denied he had ever
known the Lord.

Having made this clear, we can also use the language of belonging to a
Christian community. In India for example people are called Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians based on their family allegiance, quite
regardless of whether they believe or practice their faith. But we
should work with the primary meaning which is simply someone who is
currently learning to follow Jesus the Messiah. The teaching need
not be in a formal setting. It is by the Holy Spirit, not by cerebral
or rote instruction (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 13 see the book GO MAKE
LEARNERS).

e-mail : browr@brow.on.ca

What Is A Christian?