Who is a “Christian”?

CNKW3 · Jul 26, 2019

Miss Hepburn said:
I was wondering...where does God, the Father Himself, have a name or label for His children?
Hindu, Christian, Sufi...
Thanks...I am just not aware. I thought these labels were man made...no?

In Isaiah we find...
Isaiah 62:1-2 For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.
God prophesied that he would call his people by a new name. What do you think that name is and when did it happen?

CNKW3 · Jul 26, 2019

Pearl said:
The term 'Christian' was originally a derogatory or insulting term first used by the people of Antioch.

How do you know this? Peter used the term in 1 pet 4 saying...
If you suffer as a Christian.
Do you think it reasonable that he would use a derogatory term given in derision in such a way? That makes no sense.

God said.... he would call his people by a new name.
What do you think that name would be?

CNKW3 · Jul 26, 2019

Taken said:
Christian is a Name reference that men who DID NOT believe in Jesus the Christ Messiah, called people who were following Jesus' teachings and DID believe in Jesus thee Christ Messiah.

How do you know this? What do you site as a reference.

brakelite · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
In Isaiah we find...
Isaiah 62:1-2 For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.
God prophesied that he would call his people by a new name. What do you think that name is and when did it happen?

KJV Isaiah 43
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

CNKW3 · Jul 26, 2019

brakelite said:
KJV Isaiah 43
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

What is that name?

brakelite · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
What is that name?

Excellent question. Glad you asked. Throughout scripture names reflect character. We are called to be sanctified and made into the image of Christ... Taking His character upon ourselves by faith... What is that name?
KJV Exodus 34
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Okay, I'm not suggesting we are called God, but having His seal my means having His character, as revealed above. Made in His image and likeness.

CNKW3 · Jul 26, 2019

brakelite said:
Excellent question. Glad you asked. Throughout scripture names reflect character. We are called to be sanctified and made into the image of Christ... Taking His character upon ourselves by faith... What is that name?
KJV Exodus 34
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Okay, I'm not suggesting we are called God, but having His seal my means having His character, as revealed above. Made in His image and likeness.

This would describe....”Christian”.
Christ like. Christ being God. Having the character of Christ who is deity. Was Christ a loving and obedient servant? Yes. Should we be the same? Yes. That is a “Christian”. Read acts 11: 20-26 and you will see the Bible describe who a “Christian” is.

GodsGrace · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
Who is a Christian

This is meant to be a Bible study thread on who the Bible calls a Christian, but I put it under debate because I don’t mind people asking questions. I won’t hide in some other forum.
I don’t care whether people claim to be a Christian or not. All I want to do is examine who the Bible calls a Christian. That is all that matters. The word is thrown around way to loosely.

In Isaiah 62 we find this..
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.

The name Christian is a name prophesied and given to by the Lord. It is not an invention of man.
Acts 11 is the first place we find this word.
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.

This word “called” carries a divine meaning. It is the idea that this is a name given by inspiration and not that man just came up with it here in Antioch.
It came from God!
And is it any coincidence that this is right after gentiles had been given the gospel.
Some believe it to be a term of derision given by their enemies but that is not likely the case.

So, God is the only one that can name a person a Christian. He gets to decide who is and isn’t a Christian. We can claim anything we want but it is God who has given us information that we can study and learn about who is and isn’t a Christian.
To be cont’d

It took GOD to come up with the name CHRISTIAN?
If you notice the word CHRIST is in the word CHRISTIAN.
That's a big give-away.

Easy.
If one is IN CHRIST...
he is a Christian....

If NOT,,,
then NOT.

brakelite · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
This would describe....”Christian”.
Christ like. Christ being God. Having the character of Christ who is deity. Was Christ a loving and obedient servant? Yes. , Should we be the same? Yes. That is a “Christian”. Read acts 11: 20-26 and you will see the Bible describe who a “Christian” is.

Yes, and while that may describe what Christians did, I was more focusing on what Christians are. But not taking anything away from what you said, certainly, and yes, I agree... That character describes Christ, and hopefully also His disciples, who are called by my name

GodsGrace · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
The thief wasn’t a Christian. A “Christian” is one who has obeyed the gospel. 1 pet 4:16,17
Rom 6:17,18, 10:16
The gospel that we are accountable to began AFTER the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Long AFTER the thief had died. It began in acts 2 being preached to the Jews and began to be preached to the gentiles in acts 10. That is why disciples in acts 11 were FIRST called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26. This is AFTER the gospel had been delivered to both Jew and gentile which is all flesh.

Gee. This is interesting.
It's kind of like the Pope.
The first Pope was in about 600.
But we now call every Bishop of Romes POPE going all the way back to Peter.

So I guess we can do the same for Christians.

What were they called BEFORE Christians?
Jewish believers?

Taken · Jul 26, 2019

CNKW3 said:
How do you know this? What do you site as a reference.

Ther is no one-liner in Scripture that reveals the history of Antioch, it's people, it's kings, and the people thereof.

Learn the history of Antioch. Anitoch's hub of ancient trade, and the kings of Antioch.

1 Mac 1:41 can give you an understanding of what ANY king of ANY kingdom, ancient or modern would desire of ALL the people within a kings kingdom.

1 Mac 1
[41] Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,

Reading the WHOLE of Scripture, can give you some knowledge of the kings succession for Antioch, AND the people thereof.

Scripture can also give you notice of Jesus' Disciples...ie Jesus' "disciples" (STUDENTS) "sent out" to particular Places to be "teachers" (APOSTLES), of Jesus' WORD.

The 12...disciples...chosen BY Jesus, (minus Judas)... were SENT OUT, to teach JEWS, (specific).

The 1...disciple...chosen BY Jesus, (Saul/Paul)...was SENT OUT, to teach GENTILES (specific).

Antioch, a major city, had a mix of Gentiles and Jews. The king was a Gentile.

The Apostels ... ie Peter and others, were continuing Jesus' work...seeking out JEWS to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ...and WENT TO Antioch.

Saul/Paul, spent 3 years in Arabia, having learned by the Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ....and THEN traveled and Entered Paul into the city of Antioch, unto "mainly"...teach Gentile People of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Comprehend the CLASH...
A "king" (Agrippa) a Gentile...his kingdom.
A "group" of Apostles in the kings kingdom, gathering the attention of Jews, forward to teaching, Jesus the Christ...King.
A "man" Saul/Paul in the kings kingdom, gathering the attention of Gentiles, forward to teaching, Jesus the Christ...King.

ANOTHER CLASH...
Apostles teaching JEWS...
Apostle teaching GENTILES...
^^^^
"OUTSIDERS"...coming into Antioch, "TEACHING" of an "OTHER" "KING".

This CLASH, between Jewish teachers (Peter specific) and Paul is taught in Scripture...
Gal. Chapter 2.

This was a message...JEW or GENTILE...the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is for the coming TOGETHER of "BOTH" Jew "AND" Gentile...BY and THROUGH the common core belief IN GOD "AND" JESUS, "THE Christ Messiah".

The bottom line is...
The Apostels...(teachers)....to the Jews or Gentiles IN Antioch....were the "OUTSIDERS."
THEY were NOT citizens of Antioch. THEY came from OTHER cities TO Antioch.

When THEY came into Antioch...and began gathering TOGETHER crowds...Jews and Gentiles to HEAR, and ACCEPT the Apostels MESSAGES...."THEY BECAME DISTINCT, from the REST OF THE Citizens of ANTIOCH..."

It was the Citizens of Antioch noticing and Labeling "THEM" ....

"CHRISTIANS...."
Even king Agrippa himself, called men following the teaching of Jesus the Christ...
CHRISTIANS. A distinction, between what NON-Followers, were CALLING, those men FOLLOWING AFTER Jesus' teachings.

(And BTW, people WHO wet NOT following the Disciples/Apostels...were NOT CALLING PEOPLE "Christians"...as a particularly FAVORABLE TERM, but moreso as a Derrogatory inference.)

NOT Once DID the Disciples, the Apostels announce....THEY were "CHRISTIANS" who had come to Antioch to TEACH/PREACH "CHRISTIANITY".

You can choose to Believe...WHO first called OTHERS, they DID NOT FOLLOW, Christians....

I Believe, the TERM "CHRISTIAN" was FIRST devised and USED by UNBELIEVERS, forward TO Followers of Jesus' Teachings.

Scripture itself referenced...Believers in God, as "saints", and followers of Jesus, as "disciples", and teachers of Gods Word, as "apostels'....

Obviously, men being CALLED Christians, took NO OFFENSE to that term, and TODAY without Offensee, label themselves with that term.

However the POINT WAS...."WHO" first established "THAT TERM" ... "Christian"...
And it WAS NOT, the People who were Following Jesus' Teaching.

Glory to God,
Taken

John Caldwell · Jul 29, 2019

A Christian is a disciple of Christ.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

brakelite · Jul 29, 2019

CNKW3 said:
The gospel that we are accountable to began AFTER the resurrection and ascension of Christ

The gospel is the 'good news' of God's salvation through Christ, our Redeemer, yes? I would suggest the gospel was first preached here...
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
And that first gospel message was repeated with every sacrifice, every ritual in the temple, and every word of hope and teaching that father gave his children from that time onward. In fact, the entire Jewish religious economy was the gospel...some of them even recognised it as such.

Nancy · Jul 29, 2019

GodsGrace said:
Gee. This is interesting.
It's kind of like the Pope.
The first Pope was in about 600.
But we now call every Bishop of Romes POPE going all the way back to Peter.

So I guess we can do the same for Christians.

What were they called BEFORE Christians?
Jewish believers?

Hi GG,
They were called "Followers of the Way" before Antioch:

"And asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem" (Acts 9:2; see Acts 11:26

CNKW3 · Jul 30, 2019

GodsGrace said:
Gee. This is interesting.
It's kind of like the Pope.
The first Pope was in about 600.
But we now call every Bishop of Romes POPE going all the way back to Peter.

So I guess we can do the same for Christians.

What were they called BEFORE Christians?
Jewish believers?

A Christian is someone who has obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Did the thief obey the gospel that has been delivered to the world since Pentecost? No.
There was no name before. People were referred to as righteous, obedient. There were Jew and gentile but that has been done away with through Christ. All are one “in Christ”.

CNKW3 · Jul 30, 2019

Taken said:
Ther is no one-liner in Scripture that reveals the history of Antioch, it's people, it's kings, and the people thereof.

Learn the history of Antioch. Anitoch's hub of ancient trade, and the kings of Antioch.

1 Mac 1:41 can give you an understanding of what ANY king of ANY kingdom, ancient or modern would desire of ALL the people within a kings kingdom.

1 Mac 1
[41] Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,

Reading the WHOLE of Scripture, can give you some knowledge of the kings succession for Antioch, AND the people thereof.

Scripture can also give you notice of Jesus' Disciples...ie Jesus' "disciples" (STUDENTS) "sent out" to particular Places to be "teachers" (APOSTLES), of Jesus' WORD.

The 12...disciples...chosen BY Jesus, (minus Judas)... were SENT OUT, to teach JEWS, (specific).

The 1...disciple...chosen BY Jesus, (Saul/Paul)...was SENT OUT, to teach GENTILES (specific).

Antioch, a major city, had a mix of Gentiles and Jews. The king was a Gentile.

The Apostels ... ie Peter and others, were continuing Jesus' work...seeking out JEWS to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ...and WENT TO Antioch.

Saul/Paul, spent 3 years in Arabia, having learned by the Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ....and THEN traveled and Entered Paul into the city of Antioch, unto "mainly"...teach Gentile People of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Comprehend the CLASH...
A "king" (Agrippa) a Gentile...his kingdom.
A "group" of Apostles in the kings kingdom, gathering the attention of Jews, forward to teaching, Jesus the Christ...King.
A "man" Saul/Paul in the kings kingdom, gathering the attention of Gentiles, forward to teaching, Jesus the Christ...King.

ANOTHER CLASH...
Apostles teaching JEWS...
Apostle teaching GENTILES...
^^^^
"OUTSIDERS"...coming into Antioch, "TEACHING" of an "OTHER" "KING".

This CLASH, between Jewish teachers (Peter specific) and Paul is taught in Scripture...
Gal. Chapter 2.

This was a message...JEW or GENTILE...the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is for the coming TOGETHER of "BOTH" Jew "AND" Gentile...BY and THROUGH the common core belief IN GOD "AND" JESUS, "THE Christ Messiah".

The bottom line is...
The Apostels...(teachers)....to the Jews or Gentiles IN Antioch....were the "OUTSIDERS."
THEY were NOT citizens of Antioch. THEY came from OTHER cities TO Antioch.

When THEY came into Antioch...and began gathering TOGETHER crowds...Jews and Gentiles to HEAR, and ACCEPT the Apostels MESSAGES...."THEY BECAME DISTINCT, from the REST OF THE Citizens of ANTIOCH..."

It was the Citizens of Antioch noticing and Labeling "THEM" ....

"CHRISTIANS...."
Even king Agrippa himself, called men following the teaching of Jesus the Christ...
CHRISTIANS. A distinction, between what NON-Followers, were CALLING, those men FOLLOWING AFTER Jesus' teachings.

(And BTW, people WHO wet NOT following the Disciples/Apostels...were NOT CALLING PEOPLE "Christians"...as a particularly FAVORABLE TERM, but moreso as a Derrogatory inference.)

NOT Once DID the Disciples, the Apostels announce....THEY were "CHRISTIANS" who had come to Antioch to TEACH/PREACH "CHRISTIANITY".

You can choose to Believe...WHO first called OTHERS, they DID NOT FOLLOW, Christians....

I Believe, the TERM "CHRISTIAN" was FIRST devised and USED by UNBELIEVERS, forward TO Followers of Jesus' Teachings.

Scripture itself referenced...Believers in God, as "saints", and followers of Jesus, as "disciples", and teachers of Gods Word, as "apostels'....

Obviously, men being CALLED Christians, took NO OFFENSE to that term, and TODAY without Offensee, label themselves with that term.

However the POINT WAS...."WHO" first established "THAT TERM" ... "Christian"...
And it WAS NOT, the People who were Following Jesus' Teaching.

Glory to God,
Taken

The word “called” in acts 11:26 gives us the information we need. Not Maccabees written before Christ.
This same word was used in matt 2: 12,22 and acts 10:22. translated....
Being warned of God.
Who did the warning? God
Lk 2:26 translates word as “revealed” by Holy Ghost or God.
Who did the revealing? God

So...
who did the warning? God
Who did the revealing? God
Who did the calling in Acts 11? God.
Same Greek word.

CNKW3 · Jul 30, 2019

John Caldwell said:
A Christian is a disciple of Christ.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

You can be a “disciple” and not be a Christian. A disciple is a “learner”. But what if you have learned wrong? People can teach you about Jesus and you can be a disciple but if it is not truthful then you cannot become a Christian.

CNKW3 · Jul 30, 2019

brakelite said:
The gospel is the 'good news' of God's salvation through Christ, our Redeemer, yes? I would suggest the gospel was first preached here...
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
And that first gospel message was repeated with every sacrifice, every ritual in the temple, and every word of hope and teaching that father gave his children from that time onward. In fact, the entire Jewish religious economy was the gospel...some of them even recognised it as such.

Then why did Jesus “takeaway the first so he could establish the second”. Heb 10
And that second covenant that HE established came after his death. Heb 9:15-17
People in the Old Testament were looking for a messiah and they got it wrong. They were looking for a king. But when he came they didn’t even recognize him because he didn’t fit their description.
Lk 24 and acts 11 states that pentecost was “THE BEGINNING”.

John Caldwell · Jul 30, 2019

CNKW3 said:
You can be a “disciple” and not be a Christian. A disciple is a “learner”. But what if you have learned wrong? People can teach you about Jesus and you can be a disciple but if it is not truthful then you cannot become a Christian.

IMO i is not knowledge about Jesus but about following Christ (knowing Christ, not knowing about Christ) and that translated into our lives that makes us disciples.

Taken · Jul 30, 2019

CNKW3 said:
The word “called” in acts 11:26 gives us the information we need. Not Maccabees written before Christ.
This same word was used in matt 2: 12,22 and acts 10:22. translated....
Being warned of God.
Who did the warning? God
Lk 2:26 translates word as “revealed” by Holy Ghost or God.
Who did the revealing? God

So...
who did the warning? God
Who did the revealing? God
Who did the calling in Acts 11? God.
Same Greek word.

And your point or dispute?

Glory to God,
Taken

Who is a “Christian”?

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

brakelite

Guest

Active Member

brakelite

Guest

Active Member

Well-Known Member

brakelite

Guest

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

brakelite

Guest

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads