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What is a Christian?. And how does one become a Christian?. If we can find a scriptural answer to the first question, we will have gone a long way toward finding an answer to the second question. How, then, shall we proceed?
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What is a Christian? And how does one become a Christian?
If we can find a scriptural answer to the first question, we will have gone a long way toward finding an answer to the second question. How, then, shall we proceed? We shall examine the passages where the name, "Christian," is used - each in its respective context. There are three such passages. Acts 11:26 Acts 26:28 1 Peter 4:16
A Christian is: • A disciple - learner and follower - of Christ. • One who is fully persuaded • of the facts of the gospel • that a Christian can live a faithful life • that being a Christian is worth everything • that Christian discipleship will provide • spiritual security • purpose in life • peace
1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
1 Peter 4:14-16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. A Christian is one who is unashamed to suffer.
Unashamed to suffer: unjust criticism.
1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:3-4 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
1 Peter 2:13-14 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
1 Peter 2:15-16 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
Unashamed to suffer: unjust criticism. physical affliction.
2 Corinthians 11:23-24 Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
2 Corinthians 11:25-26 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Corinthians 11:27-28 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Unashamed to suffer: unjust criticism. physical affliction. for Christ's words.
Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
2 Timothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
2 Timothy 1:10-11 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Unashamed to suffer: unjust criticism. physical affliction. for Christ's words. for the Gospel.
Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Unashamed to suffer: unjust criticism. physical affliction. for Christ's words. for the Gospel. for being in the religious/moral minority.
John 6:66-69 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
A Christian is: • A disciple - learner and follower - of Christ. • One who is fully persuaded • of the facts of the gospel • that a Christian can live a faithful life • that being a Christian is worth everything • that Christian discipleship will provide • spiritual security • purpose in life • peace • One who is unashamed to suffer unjust criticism or physical affliction for Christ's words, for the Gospel or for simply being in the religious/moral minority.
