What is a Christian?

It may surprise you to know that the word “Christian” appears in the Bible just three times. The name itself was first coined in Antioch in south east Turkey, years after Jesus had returned to heaven. You can read about it in Acts 11:26. Up until then, Christians went by the name of “disciples”, “believers”, “brothers”, “saints” (which means holy ones), and “followers of the Way”. But a new word was needed to describe this weird new social group, made up of both Jews and non-Jews who followed Jesus. So, the name “Christian” was invented. And it’s stuck! 

Today, billions of people claim the label for themselves. Locally, in the recent 2021 census, 36.9% of borough residents ticked the “Christian” box on the form. But, what is a Christian? Is it just an identity label that we get to claim for ourselves? Who gets to decide? 

Today, we’re very into the idea of self-identifying, but there are situations where we know it doesn’t work. For example, if I ask: “What is cricket?”, there are some essential parts to an accurate answer. It doesn’t have to involve a five-day Test Match; you could get away without using a proper cricket ball, or wearing cricket whites, but you do need a cricket bat, and some kind of stumps. If someone insists that cricket can involve a baseball bat, or kicking a large ball between goal posts, we’d have to politely, but firmly, insist that whatever game they’re playing, you can’t accurately call it “cricket”. 

Well, the Bible makes clear it’s the same with Christianity. Jesus told a shocking story about people who wanted to identify with him, but with whom he refused to identify. You can read it in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus effectively “cancels” them on Judgment Day. Similarly, Jesus warned that people would come in his name and “lead many astray”. So, for Jesus, being a “Christian” isn’t a blob of jelly that can be squished into any shape we want. It’s not a personalised experience, in which you tell “your truth” and create a customised “Jesus”. It’s believing the truth about the real Jesus of history, being changed by him, and belonging to his people. Why not come along to a Bible-believing church and find out more?  

– Ilford Recorder, Feb 2024