What it Means to be a Christian 1

What it Means to be a Christian (1) What Is a Christian?

Christian! §A derivative of Greek, Χριστιανός, (christianos) §“One who identifies himself as a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. ” (L&N 11. 35) §A Christian is one who has obeyed the gospel based upon God’s plan of salvation and thus is a TRUE follower of Jesus.

Christian! § Found 3 times in the NT §Acts 11: 26, first called Christians §Acts 26: 28, almost persuade me to be a Christian § 1 Peter 4: 16, if anyone suffers as a Christian

Christian! §How does one become a Christian §Romans 10: 17, Hearing §Romans 10: 9 -10, Believe §Acts 2: 38, Repent §Romans 10: 9 -10, Confess §Acts 2: 38, Gal. 3: 27, Romans 6: 34, Be Baptized

What it Means to be a Christian! §You are a new creation § “Born again” John 3: 3, 5; 1 Peter 1: 22 -23 § “Newness of life” Romans 6: 3 -4 § A new creation, 2 Cor. 5: 17 §A new start in life – you are forgiven!

What it Means to be a Christian! §You are a child of God § Sons of God, Gal. 3: 26 -28 § Heirs, Romans 8: 16 -17 § Privilege, 1 John 3: 1 § Responsibilities, cf. Eph. 6: 13, 1 Peter 1: 14

What it Means to be a Christian! §You belong to God § “Slaves”, Rom. 6: 3 -4, 16 -19, 2223 § You are not your own, 1 Cor. 6: 19 -20 § Redeemed, Eph. 1: 7, 1 Pet. 1: 1819, Gal. 3: 13 §We live for Him, cf. 1 Pet. 2: 9 -10

What it Means to be a Christian! §You live by faith § “Trust, believing God”, Heb. 11: 1, 6 § Fundamental, Rom. 1: 16, John 3: 16 § Foundational, 2 Peter. 1: 5 § Abraham, "It was accounted to him for righteousness”, Rom. 4: 3, 5, 22; Gal. 3: 6, Jas. 2: 23, cf. Gen. 15: 6

What it Means to be a Christian! §You live by faith § It governs our life, Gal. 2: 20, 2 Cor. 5: 7 § Not always easy – especially when it challenges our comfort level – 1 Cor. 4: 1 -2

What it Means to be a Christian! §You are blessed § Innumerable §Peace with God, Eph. 2: 14 -15, Rom. 5: 1, Phil. 4: 7 § Privilege of prayer, Heb. 4: 15 -16, 7: 24 -25, 1 John 2: 1 -2, 5: 14 -15 §You have hope, Acts 24: 15, 1 Peter 1: 3, Col. 1: 5, Heb. 6: 19

What it Means to be a Christian! §You have responsibilities § Along with our blessings §Faithfulness, serving God, etc. §Be different than the world §Keep growing, 2 Peter 3: 18, 2 Cor. 4: 16, Rom. 12: 2

What does being a Christian mean to you?