A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 3 NO. 4                                            March 19, 2006

CAN I BE CALLED A CHRISTIAN?

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

When the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26) what was their “credentials” that allowed them to be called Christians? A disciple is one who follows the teachings of someone. Jesus stated in Luke 14:25-33 several things that must happen for one to be His disciple. He mentions hating father, mother, brothers, sisters, children and even one's own life as a qualification for being His disciple. In fact, He finishes this exhortation by stating that whoever is not willing to forsake all that he has cannot be His disciple. One can see by this that those disciples who were called Christians first in Antioch must have been willing to follow this pattern set forth by Jesus Himself.

Jesus told His apostles at least three times before His death that He would die and be raised again. He also told them that He would be leaving them and the Holy Spirit would come and guide them (John 14 - 16). He told them that they were to go into the entire world and teach the gospel and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). He also told them that those that did not believe (obey) would be condemned (Mark 16:16). In fact, He even told the apostles to teach those who had been baptized (immersed) all things that He had commanded (Matt. 28:20).

We find the apostles doing just this on the Day of Pentecost. During the sermon on that Day being given by Peter he was interrupted by the questions “Men and brethren what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Peter did not hesitate to tell them that they needed to “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

Those who repented and were baptized as Peter told them to do were about three thousand souls according to Acts 2:41. Those that repented and were baptized just as Peter had told them continued doing what the apostles had taught them and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Certainly these who were baptized and added to the church would have the proper credentials to be called disciples (Christians).

As we study through the conversions found in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles we read of steps one must follow to be a Christian (disciple). In every case we read of those who had obviously heard of the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. These individuals believed what they heard and did just as Peter had told those on the Day of Pentecost---Repent! Romans 10:10 and Acts 8:37 give information pertaining to the need to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We then can see that baptism (immersion) for the remission of sins was commanded. Certainly the ones that followed these steps would have been considered a follower (believer-one who had obeyed) of Jesus Christ.

Now, could I call myself a Christian if I had not taken these steps? Just saying I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God means nothing if I am not willing to obey the teachings of Jesus. Many today say that they are “Christians” yet do not follow the teachings of Jesus. They are not Christians like those found in Antioch. The Christians found in Antioch were the ones who understood what a true disciple was.

It is very disturbing today just as it was in the 1st Century church to hear those call themselves a “Christian” when they have not been added to the church that Jesus gave Himself for (Acts 2:47). One reason it is so disturbing is that many think that the Lord will add anyone one to His church no matter what “doctrine” they have believed. Would Jesus add one who had not been immersed (baptized) for the remission of sins to His church? The answer is No!

Only those who have obeyed the simple plan of salvation given to us by Jesus Himself and spread throughout all the world by His apostles and now through faithful men (II Timothy 2:2) can call themselves Christians like those in Antioch. Can you call yourself a Christian like those in Antioch did? Only if you have obeyed the doctrine of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:17) as taught by Jesus and His apostles.