Who Is A Christian?

Text: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."

I think it is very important that we remind ourselves of who a Christian is. But before we talk about who is a Christian, let's talk about who a Christian is not.

You are not a Christian because you go to Church. That only identifies you with a particular religion ;the Christian religion (Phil. 3:1-11)

The position you occupy in Church does not make you a Christian, Nicodemus would have been one before he met Jesus (Jn. 3:4-10)

That you always attend Church activities does not make you a Christian, the Pharisees and the Sadducees would have made better Christians than you (Matt. 23:1-5).

That you give big amount of money in Church does not make you a Christian, Simon the sorcerer would have purchased it with money (Acts 8:17-20).

That you are even a disciple does not necessarily mean that you are a Christian (Acts 11:26)

Who then is a Christian? This is like the question the disciples asked Jesus :"who then can be saved?" And Jesus gave them the answer that is very fitting for those that may also be asking :"Who then can be a Christian?" Many believe that with multitude of people who call themselves Christians living in the contrary, God cannot send all of them to hell. If you belong to that group, you are deceived. "With God nothing shall be impossible." (Mk. 10:26-27).

If you look at our text, you will see that it was not the disciples that called themselves Christians, but the people. Meaning, until people outside calls you a Christian, you are not a Christian. There are things they must have observed about them before they concluded they were Christians ;Christ-like (Jn.1:35-36).You are known by your lifestyle.

You would have thought everyone that was following Jesus would be automatically a Christian, since they were called His disciples. But when chips were down, men were separated from the boys (Jn. 6:66-71)

Beloved, the hallmark of a Christian is Christ-likeness;to be like Christ. This must have been what they saw in Paul and Barnabas in Antioch that made the people called them Christians.

What are some of the characteristics of Christ likeness.

1.Forgiveness

2.Love

3. Sacrifice

4. Compassion

5. Selflessness

6. Crucified life

7.Obedient to God

8.Service rather than being served

9 Pleasing God

10.Doing only the will of God.