Are you a Christian?
Someone once remarked to me that we should not be called as “Christians” but should rather be identified only as “believers” claiming that that’s the ‘right label to use’.
They will quote the verse below & say that the ‘label Christian’ is a ‘pagan label’ and God didn’t approve of it:
“and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. Now it came to pass that they also gathered together an entire year in the church, and taught a large crowd. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians (“Christianous”).” (Acts 11:26)
Sadly, such statements are ‘not’ Biblical & those “not” knowing the Word get easily deceived in such “seemingly right statements”.
What does Scripture say?
Here’s a Verse:
“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:14)
Some might argue that the verse above only mentions “for the Name of Christ” and “not Christian” & still try to justify ‘their claim’.
Well if only they read two verses later, they might find the phrase “Christianos” (English: Christian) & their ‘play with words’ comes to an “end”:
“but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” (1 Peter 4:16)
This verse above certainly proves God’s approval on the ‘label Christian’.
P/S:
Judgment is coming. So, let us strive to “obey the Gospel” as it is “written” because the ‘warning’ is given as follows:
- “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)
