What Is A Christian 1 Peter 4: 12-16

1 Peter 4: 12-16 WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? 3-19-11

Let me start by saying what the Christian faith is, Christianity has a set of core beliefs that define it from the religions of the world. Christianity has some basic truths and without these basic truths Christianity fails to be truly Christian.

The name "Christian,” implies both the "Founder" and "Perfecter" of the Christian faith.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;--

Jesus is not the Author of some man made religion, only through Jesus Christ is the means of salvation, this world is full of all kind of religion but through this MAN JESUS CHRIST is the only way to get to heaven, all other religions are the ways of death and destruction.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Jesus the Christ: The name "Christ" was a special name given to Jesus of Nazareth that indicated his special relationship with JEHOVAH God. (Christos is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah, which means, "Anointed one.")

As Jesus followers grew into a movement, they were called “the Way” by the unbelievers, even today in Israel the Orthodox Jews refer to Jesus as “THIS MAN”

Acts 9:1-2 1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem

Possibly a reference to Christ’s statement, “I am the way” John 14:6

For the most part, members of the Way had been Jewish believers to begin with.

So the Antiochians realized that what held these of THE WAY together was CHRIST.

Ø LISTEN: The Latin suffix “ian” means, “belonging to the party of.”** So it was by ridicule and

scorn that some of the pagan citizens of Antioch joined this Latin suffix to the Hebrew name “Christ” and came up with Christ-ian. The name is found only three times in the entire New Testament: Acts 11:26 and 26:28, and in our text 1 Peter 4:16.

"Christian" was a name that was given to the disciples (followers) of Christ in Syrian Antioch (present day Turkey) in the early 40's AD. –So it was at Antioch that the name Christian was first applied to the disciples of Jesus Christ.

Ø Listen as I read today’s text found in:

1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But 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. 14If 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.

15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

The believers in the early church suffered MUCH PERSECUTION because they were Christians.

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Today many people who have never been born again consider themselves to be “Christians” simply because they say they are not “pagans.” After all, they may belong to a church, attend services somewhat regularly, and even occasionally give to the work of the church, and some business people think that it’s good for their business.-, so to them professing to be a Christian is just a front.

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What I believe a Christian is- is the individual trusting in, and believing in ones heart, and receiving Him and then confessing with the mouth if possible Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savoir.

Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Ø One man said this “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?—that’s a pretty good question.

So today I want to talk for a few minutes about what people need to do become Christians, everyone that say’s that they’re Christians are not, although they may truly believe that they are, some people are brought up from child hood exposed to all kinds of different religions that call them selves Christian, and so their simply following the standards that their traditionally accustom to, some think that because they ----were sprinkled with water when they were an infant and that they have been CONFIRMED to their professed religion that all is well, now all they must do is confess to another sinner their sins and don’t worry about it.