Who Says I'm a Christian?

By Joe Keim

March 1, 2023

The name Christian was given to the early believers by unbelievers. It was a name of ridicule and mockery. Early believers called themselves brothers, believers, disciples, and saints. The word ‘Christian’ is used only three times in the New Testament:

* Where the world called the believers at Antioch Christians. (Acts 11:26)

* Where King Agrippa uses the name in scorn. (Acts 26:28)

* Here in 1 Peter 4:16, where it reads: “Yet if any man suffer ‘as a Christian,’ let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God…”

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified” (1 Peter 4:12-14).

Following are excerpts from a discussion I had with friends about the above topic:

Perry:

Thank you for sharing Joe. I had studied this about a year ago and I actually struggle calling myself a Christian. When someone would ask me if I was a Christian, I would say, “No. I’m a follower of Christ.”

Belinda:

I believe the label “Christian” is so misused. Many profess to be Christians but do not follow Christ. Their lifestyle and the fruits of their life say otherwise. I like to say that I am a follower of Christ. He says to take up our cross and follow Him. That’s what I strive to do. What did Jesus do? Are we doing those things? Are we crucifying our flesh to truly follow Him?

Harvey:

Unbelievers had nothing to do with naming the name ‘Christian.’ It was prophesied by the mouth of the Lord many years before Jesus was born to a virgin. (Is. 62:2; 56:5)

Andy:

Harvey, Isa 62:2 “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 56:5 “Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.”

I do not find the word "Christian" in either one of your verses! I think I know what that “new name” is. “One in Christ.”

Eph 2:11-15 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹²That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; ¹⁵Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

“Of twain (Uncircumcision and Circumcision) one NEW MAN!” What is the name of that one new man? The Body of Christ! Both Jew and Gentile can become part of the ONE BODY of CHRIST!

Harvey:

Wisdom tells me that Christians are indeed in one body - the church, in Christ (Eph. 4: 4; Col. 1:18), not in any man-made and man-named denominations of which there are so many. You say you "think you know" what the new name is. But God, prophesied saying, we “shall be called.” That time is here now, since the church was established in these last days. I can read of no other "new name" in God's Word, other than that name "Christian" by which God's sons & daughters, His disciples, were called first (Acts 11:26).

Joe Keim:

Harvey, I guess I am not as convinced as you are that the promised "new name" discussed in Isaiah 62 and 56 is referring to "Christian." It would make more sense to me that the "new name" God was referring to could have been "the church." Here is why that makes sense to me.

In Isaiah, God's focus and message was primarily directed to the kingdom of Judah, but also to the Nation of Israel as a whole. The Nation of Israel was God's special and peculiar people. But as Andy Miller already pointed out, God looked down through the ages and saw a bigger picture, one that would stay hidden for another 800 years.

Finally, "the church" is birthed in Acts 2. Soon thereafter, God calls Paul to the scene, takes him to the third heaven and reveals what no one, not even principalities and powers were allowed to know.

Paul writes in Eph 3:

(v3) “by revelation he [God] made known unto me the mystery”

(v4) “the mystery of Christ”

(v5) “in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed”

(v9) “to make all men see what is the ... the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God”

Here we go ... ready...

(v10) “that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church”

Not saints. Not brothers and sisters. Not Christians. Not the nation of Israel. But the church. The mystery was finally revealed and made known to "the church".

In (v-21) Paull writes: “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

While "Christians" are named 3 times in the entire New Testament, "the Church" is named 182 times from Romans to Philemon - a total of 370 times in the Whole New Testament.

Some examples:

1 Cor 15:9: “I persecuted the church of God”

Gal 1:13: “how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it”

Eph 1:22: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church"

Eph 5:23: “even as Christ is the head of the church"

Eph 5:24: “Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ”

Eph 5:32: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church"

1 Tim 3:15: "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth”

Those who are saved become part of the church of God and take on various names, such as Christians, Saints, brothers, sisters, believers, Jews, Gentiles, etc.

One day, the Church, also known as the body, will go to meet the Head.

 

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