What is a Christian?
The word Christian occurs only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). The word Christian comes from the Greek word Christianos. A Christian is someone who is related to Christ (this relationship begins with baptism; see Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:1-4; Col. 2:12).
Some
think the word Christian was given by those who hated God’s people, but
the word translated “called” in Acts 11:26 seems to describe a “divine
calling” (i.e. God is the one who gave this name).
Isaiah spoke of this “new name” about 700 years earlier (Isa.
62:2). God’s people should
not only wear the name Christian, they should “glorify
God in this name” (1 Pet. 4:16).
Many who call themselves "Christians" are involved with things that are not found in the Bible. If you are truly interested in loving and serving God "in spirit and truth" (Jn. 4:24), please take a few moments to examine the special study on New Testament Christianity.