What is a Christian?

Over time, some words loose their meaning or they evolve into mere faint shadows of their original definitions.

The most recent example of this has been the debate across our country over the definition of the word "marriage". Is marriage, as it has always been; the union between one man and one woman. Or, is it the more recent definition; the celebration of love between two adults? That debate is raging as as I write right now.

Over the last decade, there has been a great re-defining of the word "truth" - It used to simply mean; that which is true, a fact. And it was commonly understood that there could only be one truth. But, now days many people would assert that "truth" in relative and not absolute. And it's meaning, while still the same, must be understood in this context - Truth is that which is true to you. So there can be two totally different and even opposing truths at the same time and both are valid and equal.

This slight drift in meanings has invaded the church dictionary as well and created within our circles a muddied, watered down version of who we are as believers. The term that has become the identifying description of us in our day is the word "Christian". And then after identifying our religious affiliation we add in the flavor of Christianity that we follow. i.e. I'm a pentecostal, apostolic, baptist or catholic Christian, I'm a Spirit-filled, non-denominational, evangelical or orthodox Christian. And don't miss-understand me, I like the word christian - it basically means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. What I don't like, is the fact that many people view the word as a destination and not a continual journey. To be a "Christian" is to be a FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ, not someone who has ARRIVED at a belief structure. As if, when you become a Christian you arrive at some spiritual level and then everything after that is optional and based on your preferences.

Being a Christian in our day seems to be something a bit different than it would have meant to be one in the days of the Bibles. The more recent definition of being a Christian is this; One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. Notice the subtle word "or" that is inserted into the more recent definition. Being a Christian is as simple as professing a belief in Jesus. No action required, no change in lifestyle or thought life. Just profess a belief in Jesus and you are now considered a christian. That is a far cry from what it meant to be a christian when the first group coined the phrase. notice what acts 11:26 says the "Christians" were called before they assumed this new name

"...the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26 NKJV).

Before they were called Christians they referred to themselves as "disciples". And that word definitely does not portray as pretty a picture as the word Christian. To be a disciple sounds militaristic. It sounds like a lot of commitment and sacrifice. And for sure, in the time of the New Testament Christians to be a disciple meant all those things and a whole lot more. is the expectation any less today? sadly, the answer would have to be yes. In our day the average christian does not make you want to call them a a disciple. Those words seem to describe two different levels of Christians. But in the days of the Bible they meant the same thing.

So what has changed or what has happened?

I believe the gradual drift from the word "follower" is where the modern day christian lost his way. To be a Christian or to be a disciple means that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It means that He is leading and guiding you into new revelations and a deeper relationship while at the same time you are following the truths and relational commitments you have already learned and made. Being a Christian means that you have convictions without being judgemental. You have a belief structure that is build upon a relationship. You are mature in your faith while at the same time ever hungry for more truth. Being a Christian means that you are a disciple. You are a follower of the one God of the Bible - Jesus

Maybe we need to go back to the original term of describing ourselves so that we can recapture the meaning of what it means to be a "follower" of Jesus Christ. Maybe we need reverse the trend that started in Acts 11:26. How does this sound...

"...the Christians were again called disciples in America" (August 13, 2009).