A Biblical Perspective on Current Events

“He who says he abides in Him (Christ) ought Himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6).

WHAT IS IN THE NAME CHRISTIAN?
August 15, 2003

Has the name “Christian” lost its true biblical meaning? To me it would seem so.

Most Christian denominations use the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, as their source for what is morally right and wrong. However, the decisions that are coming down from the Roman Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, and other denominations concerning gay priests and same-sex marriages bring the meaning of the word “Christian” into question.

Christians who believe the Holy Spirit inspired the literary prophets of God’s covenant people to write God’s moral law must come to grips with what the prophet Isaiah said about the Christian name:

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
And her salvation as a lamp that burns.
The Gentiles shall see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory.
You shall be called by a new name,
Which the mouth of the LORD will name (Is. 62:1-2).

The Holy Spirit inspired the literary apostles to write letters concerning this new name and new nature for God’s covenant people. In Christ we are partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).

After God fulfilled His promise to bring His Jewish covenant people a new creation—a spiritual relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ (their sacrificial Lamb of God)—it was then time to bring the Gentiles into this spiritual union with God through Jesus Christ. His blood satisfied the heart of God, giving them forgiveness of sins and bringing in everlasting righteousness (Dan. 9:24). Both Jew and Gentile were now called “Christians” because of their belief into a spiritual union in Christ. This first happened through Apostle Peter’s ministry in Caesarea (Acts 11:1-18).

By the leading of the Holy Spirit, the first to be called “Christians” were the disciples in Antioch in about 43 A.D. The Holy Spirit continued to mature some disciples to live like Jesus Christ. Apostle John wrote in about 65 A.D., “He who says he abides in Him (Christ) ought Himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Plainly stated: “If we say we are Christians, we should live like Jesus.”

If I say I am a Christian I should endeavor to live a life in the Spirit as did Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This is to be the normal Christian life.

In order to preserve the meaning of the name “Christian,” all Christians should follow the literary apostles’ doctrine in the local church. Apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:1-2).

In spite of all the sexual sins and other scandals in Christianity today in denominations, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Tim. 2:19).

We must ask Father God to guide us by His Spirit and Word with people of character and integrity in a local church, so that truth doesn’t get lost in denominations and the name “Christian” devalued.