From the OP:
"Christianity" is a denomination, and those who are members of can be referred to as Christians.
(Edit, ToS 2.14, You do not dictate the actions of staff on this forum. Obadiah)
I do not claim the worldly title of 'Christian.' The term 'Christian' was used to describe a follower of Christ in terms of
the world, from
the world’s point of view. The pagans at Antioch called the apostles "Christians" first (Acts 11:26; 26:28) and used it derogatorily because the apostles didn’t follow the commercial world of the pagans. "Christian" is an adjective,
not a noun. The substance is not in the word "Christian", the substance is in the
heart of the man it is attempting to describe, and which the pagan user cannot see
.
Christ never called himself a Christian, Christ never called his followers Christians. The apostles never called each other Christians. Christ never used an adjective to describe himself. So how are we to identify ourselves then? In scripture, the disciples called each other, "brethren", "disciples", "apostles", "servants", "believers", "followers", "the faithful", "the elect", "the called", and "saints." We can also identify ourselves as "bondservants" of Christ.
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."
First of all, keep in mind this is the one and
only place in the entire scripture this word is used by any man of God. Secondly, Peter did
not label the followers of Christ a "Christian" in the passage. Read it again, very carefully. He said they were to be "
as a Christian." This is very important. The word
as means "like or similar to," but it does
not mean one
is that word. For example:
Genesis 49:9, "...he couched
as a lion," does
not mean Judah
was a lion when he couched!
Exodus 15:5, "...they sank into the bottom
as a stone," does
not mean they
were a stone when they sank.
Matthew 17:20, "...If ye have faith
as a grain of mustard seed," does
not mean faith
is a mustard seed.
Matthew 23:37, "...gathered thy children together, even
as a hen gathereth her chickens," does
not mean God's children
were chickens.
Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even
as Christ," does
not mean husbands
are Christ when they love their wives.
And, therefore:
1 Peter 4:16, "Yet if any man suffer
as a Christian," does
not mean man
is a Christian when they suffer.
When someone is "as" something else, it does not mean one
is that something. It means we are similar, in some way, to that name, but we are not literally that name. You see, the heathens are the ones who called the followers of Christ "Christians" (Acts 11:26; 26:28). When Peter was referring to the title "Christian, " it is in the context of
suffering, and is in reference to the name as
imposed upon them by their enemies, because our enemies want us to suffer.
Is there other evidence in support of this position? Yes.
"
Christian: A follower of the religion of Christ [
Note carefully that Christ never started a religion - John 7:16]. It is probable that the name Christian, like that of Nazarenes and Galileans, was given to the disciples of our Lord in
reproach or contempt. What confirms this opinion is, that the people of Antioch in Syria, Acts 11:26, where they were first called Christians observed by Zosimus, Procopius, and Zonaras, to have been remarkable for their scurrilous
jesting. Some have indeed thought that this name was given by the disciples to themselves; others, that it was imposed on them by divine authority; in either of which cases we should have met with it in the subsequent history of the Acts, and in the Apostolic Epistles, all of which were written some years after; whereas it is found but in two more places in the New Testament, Acts 26:28, where a Jew is the speaker, and in 1 Peter 4:16, where reference appears to be made to the name
as imposed on them by their enemies. The word used, Acts 11:26, signifies simply to be called or named, and when Doddridge and a few others take to imply a divine appointment, they disregard the usus loquendi [established acceptation of the term] which gives no support to that opinion. The words Tacitus, when speaking of the Christians persecuted by Nero, are remarkable, ‘vulgus Christianos appellabat,’ ‘
the vulgar call them Christians.’ Epiphanius says, that they were called Jesseans, either from Jesse, the father of David, or, which is much more probable, from the name of Jesus, whose disciples they were. They were denominated Christians, A. D. 42 or 43; and though the name was first given
reproachfully, they gloried in it, as expressing their adherence to Christ, and they soon generally accepted it."
Richard Watson, Watson’s Bible Dictionary (1832), p. 233.
"
Cristianos, Christian: a word formally not after the Greek but after the Roman manner, denoting attachment to or adherents to Christ. Only occurs as used
by others of them, not by Christians of
themselves. Tacitus (A.D. 96) says (Annals 15, 44),
‘The vulgar call them Christians. The author or origin of this denomination, Christus, had, in the reign of Tiberius been executed by the procurator, Pontius Pilate.’"
Ethelbert William Bullinger, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance of the English and Greek New Testament (1908), p. 152.
"This name (Christian) occurs
but three times in the New Testament, and is
never used by Christians of themselves, only as spoken by or coming from
those without the church. The general names by which the early Christians called themselves were ‘brethren,’ ‘disciples,’ ‘believers,’ and ‘saints.’ The presumption is that the name
‘Christian’ was originated by the heathen."
Thomas W. Doane, Bible Myths (1882), page 567, note 3.
"The name (Christian) given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in
reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch."
Easton’s Bible Dictionary.
"Egypt, which you commanded to me, my dearest Servianus, I have found to be wholly fickle and inconsistent, and continually wafted about every breath of fame. The
worshippers of Serapis (here) are called Christians, and those who are
devoted to the god Serapis (I find), call themselves Bishops of Christ."
The Emperor Adrian to Servianus, written A.D. 134.
If you go to
Zodhiates Word Studies, he tells you that when they were called Christians at Antioch, using the word ‘
crematezo,’ it was a "
divine warning." In other words, be forewarned, avoid this word and the use of it. And that’s what the apostles did. You will
never read any of these New Testament writers using the term ‘christian’ to describe themselves.
So, casually speaking, what is the gist of all this? When I witness the gospel to someone, if I mention the word "God," they stereotypically say, "Oh, what church do you go to?" That response is beyond commonplace. It's the same when I say I am a Christian. In other words, using that label of the world to describe who I am, rather than the words of Christ to define who I am, reduces the power of my witness.
How many of us use the words "Jesus Christ", rather than "Christian", when we witness? If you do, I guarantee your witness will be more effective. Indeed, some will manifest outright at the name of Jesus Christ, rather than merely yawn when you use the world's label of "Christian." Further, when is the last time
in general you used the words "Jesus Christ" rather than "Christian"? Try it; you will not be disappointed or discouraged.
Either we endeavor to seek the truth, or we pander down to the P.C. thing and remain in bondage, knowingly or otherwise. The truth is always vehemently opposed at first. If we don’t want to discuss where the “Christian” label came from, then we’ve already declared our priority, haven’t we?
Your scripturally and factually based thoughts?
2
