One might think that defining a Christian would be simple. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word Christian to mean “adherent of Christianity”, or “relating to or professing a belief in Christianity or Jesus Christ.” Simply put, a Christian is defined as one who believes in Jesus Christ.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states: “…writers of Christian history normally begin phenomenologically when discussing Christian identity; that is, they do not bring norms or standards by which they have determined the truth of this or that branch of Christianity or even of the faith tradition as a whole but identify everyone as Christian who call themselves Christian.” According to Britannica, a recognized source in continuous publication since 1768, a Christian is plainly defined as someone who calls themselves a Christian.

Historical Perspective on the Word Christian
The word “Christian” appears in the scriptures seven times, three times in the New Testament. Acts 11:26 reveals that the Disciples of Christ were first referred to as Christians in Antioch, indicating those who followed Christ were starting to be referred to as Christians. Before that time it was common for those who followed Christ to refer to one another as brothers (or brethren), disciples, or believers. In Acts 26:20 King Agrippa tells Paul “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” likely indicating the term “Christian” was beginning to be used (perhaps even regularly) to refer to a believer in Christ. In 1 Peter 4:16, Peter refers to those who would “suffer as a Christian,” signifying that those who consider themselves Christian should be happy in their persecutions and trials. In all three scriptural references that use the term Christian, not one denotes any further requirement to be a Christian other than believing in and following Jesus.

In the Greek language (ancient and modern) it’s common to refer to a group of people by taking the root geographic location or ethnicity of that people and to add the suffix “anos.” The reference to Christians in the original Greek translation of the New Testament is Christianos, meaning a follower of Christ.

When one combines the three New Testament references to Christian, the historical context of the time, and the linguistics of the original Greek, the natural conclusion is that a Christian is simply defined as one who follows and/or believes in Christ.

The Testimony of an Apostle as a Definition
When the Apostle Peter was asked by the Savior “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter boldly replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” to which Jesus Christ confirmed “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 16:15-17). Peter’s testimony can be used as a litmus test for all prospective Christians: do they believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God? If the answer is affirmative, then like Peter we may consider the individual a Christian.

Christian Organizations Have Their Own Definitions
Various religious sects have derived their own definitions of a Christian based upon their own beliefs and traditions. The American Council of Christian Churches (ACCC) defines a Christian as “one who has been saved from his sins and their eternal consequences by means of faith in Jesus Christ.” The Presbyterian Church USA defines a Christian as one who has accomplished "baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord.” The Assemblies of God define a Christian as “a person who accepts the Bible as God’s Word for mankind and has made a mind and heart commitment to Jesus Christ as the source of our salvation and eternal life”—adding “he or she must believe that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16, paraphrased).” The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) defines a Christian as “a person who believes in Jesus Christ.” There are different definitions of a Christian depending on the Christian Church or organization polled, and even by the particular individual engaged within that particular institution.

The Withholding of the Christian Marker Today
Regardless of the self-described nature of most of the definitions of a Christian in use today, there are some individuals and institutions who sternly contend that not all self-described Christians, and in fact entire sects of self-proclaimed Christian religions, should be considered Christians. The website religioustolerance.org attempted to define a Christian and described the exercise as a “lightning rod,” and that the conclusions they came up with generated “many emails from angry Christians who denounce it,” especially among “Fundamentalist and other Evangelical Protestants.”

The contentious individuals and institutions who deny the Christianity of others often utilize their own personal interpretation of scripture and sect-driven dogma to support their assertions. They contend the privilege of earning the Christian label is dependent on such things as believing in the Triune God, accepting certain creeds, experiencing certain feelings, and/or belonging to a particular faith community (or not belonging to another). These disputations are reminiscent of the Pharisees of old who fought relentlessly to preserve the letter of the law of the Moses, while being urged by Jesus Christ to embrace the spirit of the law by putting love and faith at the center of their energies.

Jesus Christ in Humility was Inclusionary
Jesus Christ never administered any theological exams to his disciplines, nor established any notable prerequisites to being a Christian other than to believe on him as the Son of God and “the way, the truth, and the life.” Many were healed of the vilest of infirmities by simply believing in Jesus Christ as one who had the power and authority to perform such healings. There is no mention in the scriptures that the healed were made whole because they embraced certain doctrines, were classified as having experienced a particular event, or because they belonged to a particular sect of believers. They were healed because they believed, or were blessed to have a believer intercede on their behalf, that Jesus was the Christ.

Jesus was never one to be exclusionary in his ministry, but rather inclusionary across a broad spectrum. This is beautifully illustrated in Luke 9:49-50 which reads: “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Jesus did not ask about their specific belief system, or what group of disciples they congregated with. Rather, Jesus proclaimed that those who act in His name are to be considered His disciples. Such inclusion towards the Body of Christ defined the ministry of our Lord and Savior.

The World in its Pride and Delusion is Exclusionary
If Jesus was so inclusionary, why then do we have individuals fighting so hard to narrow the definition of a Christian—even to the persecution of fellow believers? Do these individuals, like the apostle John in the passage from Luke 9, seek for a more exclusive club and complain when others call themselves Christian but don’t practice the same rituals or beliefs as they do?

Pride and arrogance may be among the chief motivations of such Christian detractors, having a desire to separate themselves from others they spiritually disagree with. Perhaps some may be motivated like Saul (before he became Paul), sworn to defend the faith as they know it and therefore feel compelled to protect the Christian moniker according to their own beliefs—despite being in serious error in their persecution of others.

For some the motivation may be fear—fear of not clearly understanding the theological beliefs of others, nor taking the time to earnestly do so, thus resulting in the easier resolution of flatly denying to acknowledge another’s Christianity. There may be fear that such acknowledgement will lead to acceptance of another’s beliefs leading to a loss of membership or validity in their own religion. Greed may play a role in the denial of the Christian label by ecclesiastical leaders resisting the loss of tithe paying members by employing a strategy of quiet slander towards other denominations. No matter what the specific reasons are, the resulting fruits of such denials of Christianity are disunity in the Body of Christ, the spread of misinformation, and the sowing of seeds of ”discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19).

Differences in Gospel Living, but all are Christians
There is an abundance of doctrine in the scriptures that help explain true Christian beliefs and practices—even “the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2: 9-10). Some Christian theology is simple to understand, while other theological concepts are more difficult to comprehend. Paul to the Corinthians and Hebrews used the metaphors of milk and meat to indicate there were simple doctrines (milk) and more complex doctrines (meat) (1 Cor. 3:2 and Heb. 5:12), and that one must be able to digest the milk before moving on to the more difficult to digest meat.

Paul reminds us that there may be various stages of understanding of the doctrines of Christianity among Christians. This difference in doctrinal understanding, combined with the moral agency of mankind that can lead to good and bad choices, results in their being stronger Christians who live their lives according to the precepts espoused by Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:34-36), and weaker Christians who find it difficult to live their lives in accordance with the gospel (Matt. 7:21-23). Regardless of what stage there are in, both are Christians and both must individually exercise their moral agency to accept or reject the ordinances and principles of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Likewise, both must accept the consequences of their actions in the Day of Judgment. There will be Christians (valiant and less valiant) in all three kingdoms in the eternities—perhaps even some who will end up relegated into outer darkness.

Conclusion
The FCS will not add to the myriad of definitions of a Christian being used today by countless individuals and institutions, but rather the FCS concedes that a person or church may or may not be considered a Christian depending on the definition being embraced by a particular individual or institution. To that end, rightfully or wrongfully, a Christian is in the eyes of the beholder. Let us pray that the beholders of the world who feel the need to intercede in matters relating to the defining Christians judge righteously in the eyes of God.

The FCS believes we can peacefully and considerately coexist as brothers and sisters in Christ, while ascribing to different Christian beliefs and church affiliations—traditional and nontraditional. Imagine what we can accomplish as a diverse Christian family working together to fulfill God’s purposes on earth as the whole Body of Christ. We might all do well to adopt the vision that Jesus Christ is the vine, and we are His many branches as a diverse group of Christians in the world today.

  Download the Sword Series™ essay on Defining a Christian