One of the hottest debates doing its rounds on the Internet, Radio and Television of late is that of defining what a Christian is. It seems that there are enormous problems arising from this debate and this appears to be caused by specific denominational and non-denominational interpretations and interests that centre around whether or not how strongly Religions, Churches and ‘Christians’ believe their interpretations to be ‘the correct one’.
No other term used in the Bible has ever caused so much controversy as the term ‘Christian’, apart from the numerous philosophical debates surrounding the ideas of ‘Creation and how Life came into existence’ and the age old question of whether or not, ‘God can actually raise the dead to Life again’, as was also discussed by St Paul in his interview with King Agrippa (Acts 26:8)
Verse 8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
Ambiguity In Scripture?
Or simply an inability to accept what is written therein?
Some say the Bible is ambiguous about the definition of the meaning ‘Christian’ and in fact some Authorities on the Bible suppose the name ‘Christian’ to be coined by the Greeks or the Romans, but this view is often interpreted probably as a means of reproach, to the increasing number of followers of Jesus.
According to The Bible however, the name ‘Christian’ was used at the first real church gathering in Antioch.
Some authorities on the Bible suggest that the names by which the Disciples, or early followers of Jesus were known among themselves were, "brethren," "the faithful," "the elect," "the saints," "the believers." But, to distinguish the followers of Jesus from the myriad of other religious groups that also existed around that time, the name "Christian" came into common use, and after a while, was universally accepted, especially from the time of Constantine, and throughout the Roman world.
• Interestingly enough, the name ‘Christian’ occurs but three times in the New Testament and this can be found in the book of ‘The Acts of The Apostles’ (Acts 11:26), which suggests that the name ‘Christian was coined by believers at the first major church convention held at Antioch.
• The Church at Antioch had become a fast growing church and appeared to be moving under the power of the Holy Ghost to such an extent that ‘Paul’ and ‘Barnabus’ were sent there by the Apostles, who were based in Jerusalem, to investigate the many stories of what God was doing, that were emanating from Antioch.
• The second mention of the term ‘Christian’ appears to have come from the lips of King Agrippa himself who, by the time he had met with St Paul and interviewed him about his deeds and Gospel Preaching, and his subsequent incarceration by his captors, because Paul was deemed a trouble-maker going around preaching about Jesus and how he was raised from the dead, had clearly known about this popularised universal description of ‘Christians’, used synonymously to distinguish followers of Jesus, (see Acts 26:28).
• King Agrippa was the grandson of the late ‘Herod The Great’, (Acts 25:26), and it is said that by AD 53 he became The Tetrarch of Abilene, Galilee, Iturea and Trachontis in Judea around the time of Paul’s conversion to Christ.
In (Acts 25), we read of Paul having been captured by the ‘Judaizers’ (false Jews) not the real Jews of his day, had been delivered to the Romans for judgement and sentencing of death.
However, the Romans did not know what to do with Paul as they felt him to be a victim of injustice and were reluctant to carry out the wishes of Paul’s captors. Paul also delayed mattes because he appealed to Caesar. During his incarceration, Paul gets to meet with King Agrippa who visited Caesarea around the time he was a prisoner there.
(ACTS 26) An example of the problems faced by Paul, in determining the purpose of Christians and what they stand for.
‘Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently...’
‘ ...For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds...’
• Thirdly, the term ‘Christian’ appears to have actually originated with the Hellenistic Greeks and Pharisees, of whom my studies reveal them to be the actual persecutors of the followers of Jesus, these are ‘The Judaisers’ or False Jews that Paul refers to and they are more commonly known as ‘The Herodians’, referred to in scripture, who continuously harassed the early church stirring up the common people in the hope of endangering the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ, (see 1 Pet. 4:16).
• These’Herodians link back to King Herod and a specific usurper lineage imposed on Isrealites and with connections to Hellenistic Greeks and a hierarchical movement that spawned ‘The Scribes’ and ‘The Pharisees’ movements that developed from this Royal, legal and religious structure that came to dominate Palestine around the time that Jesus was born.
What then is a true definition of the term ‘Christian’ and can there really be ‘False’ Christians?
It is important to note that history is mirrored and the Apostles were very much aware of this in their day, to the extent that they wrote down their concerns, as these occurred. These are the same issues that affect believers and the Church today. There is one exception however, and that is that God has seen fit to warn believers of these issues that will and have, arisen in the Last Days.
So What type Of Christian Are You?
‘A Cultural Christian’ or ‘An Authentic Christian’?
John Woodbridge, a church history professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, points out that "just because a person is part of a church doesn't necessarily mean he or she is a follower of Jesus." Woodbridge argues that there's a distinction between "cultural Christians" and "authentic Christians."
This argument can be defined by researching scripture, but to take just one such example, as a possible definition of a ‘Christian’, and one that is retrospectively mentioned by Jesus himself, it can easily be seen that there are two types of ‘Authority’ implied and two types of ‘Churches’ implied and also two types of ’Believers’ implied in Jesus’ statement about the parable of ‘The Ten Virgins’ or ‘The Five Wise Virgins’ versus ‘The Five foolish Virgins’.
Matthew 25: Example of Christian Definition Referred to by Jesus.
1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The Lamps appear to refer to the ‘Christian’, who is truly converted and trims his lamp, not only to conserve oil but as an act of true humility, and in a state of continual repentance, and holiness before God and in expectation of his Lord’s impending arrival. One who truly obeys God’s Word in all things. Loves God and Jesus Christ and truly demonstrates love of all the Brethren, irrespective of who they are.
Whereas, the Foolish Virgins were the ones who did not have this same approach to humility, and the need for continual repentance and holiness. They did not truly share the Love of God or Jesus Christ or demonstrate their love for all the Brethren and only sought out the popular sections of the people they met with. You know: the ones with plenty of money and prestige and all the right sayings and conformist behaviours etc etc. They did not see the need to trim their lamps, they were the hedonistic self-righteous Christian who unfortunately mirrored the worship of the Scribes and Pharisee that Jesus often spoke about and warn us about, you know, the ones who always know what the Bible says exactly and what God expects of them, but that their motives for doing these things are selfish and popular, just to be revered by men and make long prayers etc.
Their oil, is of the type that has been purchased through financial gifts just like ‘Simon the sorcerer’ when he offered to pay for to receive the Holy Ghost at the hands of Peter and Paul, during one of their many missions.
This parable that Jesus spoke of when viewed with many other New Testament references is a clear definition of the meaning of the differences that exist between true ‘Authentic’ Christians and that of a ‘Cultural’ Christian’ as defined by Woodbridge and what Jesus contrasts as a definition of a True Christian with that of a False Christian.
(If you wish to read more then follow this link to Suite101: Is Christianity Dangerous?: Has The Christian Church Been Bad or Good? http://protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/is-christianity-dangerous#ixzz0q0sAav3O for further debates of this nature. Or visit Religious Tolerance.com. or simply click on the links in the text to see differing aspects of this difficult topic).
What then is a True Christian?
The Bible says: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right (or Power), to become children of God.”
According to scripture a Christian is a person who is convicted (or convinced) that he is in all ways sinful. (This conviction is a supernatural (Beyond the capacity of mankind to comprehend without God's help.) work of the Holy Spirit)
According to scripture a Christian is a person who recognizes God’s Holiness and His only provision for our sins in the substitution and death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
According to scripture a Christian is a person, who, once awoken to his spiritual condition, (through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit) turns away from sin and turns to God, by faith, through his forgiveness and follows Jesus. (Acts 20:21)
According to scripture a Christian is one who having received Jesus as Saviour (from their sins) surrenders everything to Jesus as LORD. Lordship is not optional, but integral to Christian discipleship.
According to scripture a Christian is one who accepts the righteousness of God as his own and does not seek or promote his own self-righteousness above that of God.
According to scripture a Christian is a person who has received the Holy Ghost and has the Living Word in themselves and through Him, is able to seek God and deny the works of the flesh and serve God daily.
However, many people who consider themselves to be Christians do not recognize others as Christians and do not recognise the need to surrender to God daily and are not necessarily in the service of others.
There are said to be about 40 different definitions of the term "Christian" in use today.
Also included in the definition of a ‘Christian’ are those who consider themselves to be Christian even though they do not identify themselves with any particular religious group.
Britain for example: was considered to be a Christian Country.
In my opinion then , a Christian is someone who has truly been touched by God and saved by Grace.
However, I believe that the problems regarding the definition of a Christian has arisen because of the influx of Secularism that has increasingly developed in the church today making believers unaware of the need to isolate themselves from worldliness and the temptations of commercialism and individualism that separates us from the presence of the Living God and each other.
Remember the words of Jesus when he said: “A house divided against itself cannot stand...” Surely this division is the purpose of the ‘Secularist Movement’ within the Church today.
So Believers Beware.
The topics discussed here are not necessarily the complete view of the author
