1 Who Is A Christian? Acts 11:26

2 Acts 11: Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

3 Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

4 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

5 Christian Defined Christianos = a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:-- Christian. Christianos = a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:-- Christian.

6 Acts 11:26 …And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. …And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. “disciples” - mathetes = a learner, i.e. pupil: - disciple. “disciples” - mathetes = a learner, i.e. pupil: - disciple. “were called” – chrematizo = to utter an oracle i.e. divinely intimate; by implication, to constitute a firm for business, i.e. (generally) bear as a title:--be called, be admonished (warned) of God, reveal, speak. “were called” – chrematizo = to utter an oracle i.e. divinely intimate; by implication, to constitute a firm for business, i.e. (generally) bear as a title:--be called, be admonished (warned) of God, reveal, speak. cf. Rom. 7:1-3 cf. Rom. 7:1-3 Isa. 62:2 Isa. 62:2 “Christians” – christianos = a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ. “Christians” – christianos = a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ. 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called (chrematizo) an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Rom. 7:1-3). And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name (Isa. 62:2).

7 The proper name “Christian” abused! When asked, “What are you religiously?” Some reply… When asked, “What are you religiously?” Some reply… “Catholic-Christian” “Catholic-Christian” “Baptist-Christian” “Baptist-Christian” “Methodist-Christian” “Methodist-Christian” “Presbyterian-Christian” “Presbyterian-Christian” “_________-Christian” (you fill in the blank) “_________-Christian” (you fill in the blank) “Christian” not so used in the Bible! “Christian” not so used in the Bible! Never a hyphenated word with an adjective! Never a hyphenated word with an adjective!

8 Who is a Christian? According to Bible teaching! According to Bible teaching! Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29 The Bible tells us! The Bible tells us! It answers our question above! It answers our question above!

9 A Christian is… One who is a “disciple” of Christ! One who is a “disciple” of Christ! Acts 11:26 – Christ-ians Acts 11:26 – Christ-ians A follower of the Master teacher – Christ! A follower of the Master teacher – Christ! One who adheres to the teachings of Christ! One who adheres to the teachings of Christ! Matt. 11:29; 1 Pet. 2:21 Matt. 11:29; 1 Pet. 2:21 Jesus taught by parables so that they might learn of Him and His kingdom! Jesus taught by parables so that they might learn of Him and His kingdom! Matt. 13:1-35 Matt. 13:1-35 Jn. 13:1-17 – He taught a lesson on humility & service! Jn. 13:1-17 – He taught a lesson on humility & service!

10 A Christian is… One who wears the name of Christ! One who wears the name of Christ! Acts 11:26 – “Christian” Acts 11:26 – “Christian” Does not wear the names of men or denominations! Does not wear the names of men or denominations! Christ is Lord of their life! Christ is Lord of their life! Lk. 6:46 Lk. 6:46 There is no other name! There is no other name! Acts 4:12 Acts 4:12

11 A Christian is… One who is “born again” ! One who is “born again” ! Jn. 3:1-5 Jn. 3:1-5 Born of “the water and the spirit” Born of “the water and the spirit” Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20 Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20 Rom. 8:1-9 Rom. 8:1-9 This is the new birth! This is the new birth! Jn. 1:12, 13 Jn. 1:12, 13 1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18 1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18

12 A Christian is… One who is called by the Gospel! One who is called by the Gospel! Rom. 1:6; 8:28; 9:11, Rom. 1:6; 8:28; 9:11, Tim. 1:9 2 Tim. 1:9 Saved from past sins! Saved from past sins! Acts 4:12 Acts 4:12 Eph. 2:8-9 Eph. 2:8-9 Heb. 5:8-9 Heb. 5:8-9

13 A Christian is… One who is morally & doctrinally pure! One who is morally & doctrinally pure! Moral purity necessary: Moral purity necessary: Phil. 4:8 Phil. 4:8 2 Tim. 2:22 2 Tim. 2:22 1 Pet. 2:22 1 Pet. 2:22 1 Jn. 3:1-3 1 Jn. 3:1-3 1 Cor. 6: Cor. 6:9-11 Doctrinal purity required: Doctrinal purity required: 1 Tim. 1:10; 4:6, 13-16; Tit. 1:9; 2:1-7 1 Tim. 1:10; 4:6, 13-16; Tit. 1:9; 2:1-7 1 Tim. 6:1-5 1 Tim. 6:1-5 2 Jn Jn. 9-11

14 A Christian is… One who is FULLY persuaded! One who is FULLY persuaded! King Agrippa was only “ALMOST” persuaded! King Agrippa was only “ALMOST” persuaded! Acts 26:12-29 Acts 26:12-29 A Christian is Fully Persuaded BY THE GOSPEL… A Christian is Fully Persuaded BY THE GOSPEL… That Jesus Christ is the Son of God! That Jesus Christ is the Son of God! Jn. 14:6; Rom. 5:10-17 Jn. 14:6; Rom. 5:10-17 That he is a sinner in need of God’s saving grace! That he is a sinner in need of God’s saving grace! Rom. 3:7-10; 23 Rom. 3:7-10; 23 Eph. 2:8-9 Eph. 2:8-9 That Jesus is the ONLY way! That Jesus is the ONLY way! Jn. 14:5 Jn. 14:5

15 A Christian is… One who has conviction! One who has conviction! Conviction = A strong persuasion or belief; the state of being convinced. – Webster Conviction = A strong persuasion or belief; the state of being convinced. – Webster Not “wishy-washy” Not “wishy-washy” The Apostles were convicted! The Apostles were convicted! Acts 5:12-29 Acts 5:12-29 Acts 9:10-31 Acts 9:10-31 Eph. 6:18-20 Eph. 6:18-20 They spoke the gospel BOLDY in the face of persecution! They spoke the gospel BOLDY in the face of persecution!

16 A Christian is… One who is willing to suffer persecution for Christ! One who is willing to suffer persecution for Christ! 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matt. 5: Peter 4:12-19; Matt. 5: Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:14 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:14 2 Tim. 3:12 2 Tim. 3:12 Christ & the apostles suffered! Christ & the apostles suffered! Matt. 10:16-28, 34; Acts 5:40-42 Matt. 10:16-28, 34; Acts 5:40-42

17 A Christian is… One who is added to the Lord’s church! One who is added to the Lord’s church! Added BY the Lord! Added BY the Lord! Acts 2:47 Acts 2:47 WHO were added? WHO were added? Acts 2:41-42 Acts 2:41-42 What church is the Lord’s church? What church is the Lord’s church? The one purchased with His own blood! - Acts 20:28 The one purchased with His own blood! - Acts 20:28 The church He built! - Matt. 16:18 The church He built! - Matt. 16:18 The church He is the Head of - Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18 The church He is the Head of - Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18 The church that wears His name – Rom. 16:16 The church that wears His name – Rom. 16:16 The Church that abides in His doctrine – 2 Jn The Church that abides in His doctrine – 2 Jn. 9-11

18 A Christian is… One who is Baptized into Christ! One who is Baptized into Christ! By the “ONE Baptism” … By the “ONE Baptism” … Eph. 4:5 Eph. 4:5 For all people – Matt. 28:19 For all people – Matt. 28:19 That follows faith in Christ – Mk. 16:15-16 That follows faith in Christ – Mk. 16:15-16 That saves the lost – 1 Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:38 That saves the lost – 1 Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:38 That is in the name of the Lord Jesus – Acts 10:48 That is in the name of the Lord Jesus – Acts 10:48 By which we contact the blood of Christ - Rom. 6:3-4 By which we contact the blood of Christ - Rom. 6:3-4 By which we put on Christ – Gal. 3:27 By which we put on Christ – Gal. 3:27 In which we are buried with Christ – Col 2:12 In which we are buried with Christ – Col 2:12 That continues until Christ’s return – Mt. 28:19-20 That continues until Christ’s return – Mt. 28:19-20

19 Who is a Christian? One who… One who… Is a “disciple” of Christ! Is a “disciple” of Christ! Wears the name of Christ! Wears the name of Christ! Is “born again” ! Is “born again” ! Is called by the Gospel! Is called by the Gospel! Is morally & doctrinally pure! Is morally & doctrinally pure! Is FULLY persuaded! Is FULLY persuaded! Has conviction! Has conviction! Is willing to suffer persecution for Christ! Is willing to suffer persecution for Christ! Is added to the Lord’s church by the Lord! Is added to the Lord’s church by the Lord! Is Baptized into Christ! Is Baptized into Christ!

20 Conclusion! Are You A Christian?

21 “What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37 An alien sinner must… An alien sinner must… Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17 Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17 Believe - Romans 10:10 Believe - Romans 10:10 Repent – Acts 17:30 Repent – Acts 17:30 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37 Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38 Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38 An erring Child of God must… An erring Child of God must… Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22 Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22