Who has Label you a "Christian" have you label yourself or have someone else label you a Christian and by who's definition

[Dave M]

Jesus, never gave a definition, what a christian was. Neither did the word, ever came out of His mouth. He never called anyone a christian.

. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

so this may help us understand we know some of Jesus diciples fell away when he asked them to count the cost, were they Christians?? I doubt if they were born again if they fell away??

 

[Dave M]

also let us keep in mind of the story of the sheep and goats, they both seem to have religion in them and know about GOd and even cast out demons in Jesus name,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet only one thing seems to be pointed out to us that made them diffrent the sheep help the needy, and the goats did nothing,,,,,,,,,,,,, only one thing did the bible point out as to why the goat go to hell, they did not help the needy.......... the sheep on the other hand helped the needy and went to heaven.......

matter fact other the thief on the cross excepting Jesus before he died, I bet you cant find one example of someone doing nothing and going to heaven. If we are not working for the kingdom now, what makes you think we will have the privledge of working for the kingdom in eternaty ?? and no I am not suggesting a works salvation, I am suggesting proof of one being born again.


I have a buddy who does not read his bible, does not go to church, who said he was saved, ( who am I to question this) I asked him how he knew, and he said he walked down a isle of a church when the pastor made the call and now he was good to go....... I just do not see that type of salvation in the scripture, but maybe I am wrong Paul said to the jailer believe in Jesus and be saved,,,,,,,,, I THink when the bible says believe it also saying to my spirit that obey is something to back up your belief, it is easy to say I believe and continue a life of selfish living,,,,,,,

So how do I know I am saved, I do not sin intentionally any more thats how I know. I am sure I still sin and the holly spirit know it, but its not intentional, It scares me to death think about sinning, my heart has been changed. I want to warn everyone that sin leads to hell. Yes of course I believe and Love the Lord ,,,,,,,how do you know I love the Lord because of my desire to please him. If you say you believe in order to escape hell and not because you love and want to please the Lord do you really believe??

so the questions is are you a christian just because you want to escape hell????????

 

[PloughBoy]

When a person becomes a born again believer -- we become new creatures / creations in Christ.

How many years have you known that truth, and how many years, that has been recorded in the Bible. And how many times the "sons of GOD" has read and believe that Truth. I will answer, We have read that Truth, Heard that Truth and Believe that Truth for Over 2,000 years and still going strong into that Truth, and Why is that to be so? Because, Our Lord and Savior Has Ordain and Proclaim that Truth to be so. And "The Gates of Hell, shall not Prevail" against it,


And I will declare, I am among this number as well: and not by choice, but Chosen of GOD And I didn't Love Him, until He Loved me and Quicken me from death to Life.
(Romans 8).
28And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. 29For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: 30and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; 34who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Who is The Word of GOD, referring to. I do believe, The Word of GOD has Made it clear and very Clear! They are called "The Elect of GOD" can "GOD" make it any more clearer? Or Does it Takes a "Corrupted being" to make it clearer than The Creator HimSelf! Those who are Christians, Stand up and be Christians and do not be ashame! And Those who wears The Garments of "The Sons of GOD" Stand up and be "The Elect of GOD" and be not ashame and Walk "The Path" for There is Only, One Way, One Path, One Faith, One LORD, for It is "The Way"!

(John 14).NASV 1977
5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know The Way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am The Way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.


There should be No confusion concerning among those who walks in "The Way", There is Only "One Truth", and Jesus is "The WAY"! And He is The Only One that Can show you! That is why, He is Called "The WAY" ! Because NO One can show you! Male of female! One Way!

(Luke 18). NIV
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Shalom

 

[Sue D.]

also let us keep in mind of the story of the sheep and goats, they both seem to have religion in them and know about GOd and even cast out demons in Jesus name,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet only one thing seems to be pointed out to us that made them diffrent the sheep help the needy, and the goats did nothing,,,,,,,,,,,,, only one thing did the bible point out as to why the goat go to hell, they did not help the needy.......... the sheep on the other hand helped the needy and went to heaven.......

matter fact other the thief on the cross excepting Jesus before he died, I bet you cant find one example of someone doing nothing and going to heaven. If we are not working for the kingdom now, what makes you think we will have the privledge of working for the kingdom in eternaty ?? and no I am not suggesting a works salvation, I am suggesting proof of one being born again.


I have a buddy who does not read his bible, does not go to church, who said he was saved, ( who am I to question this) I asked him how he knew, and he said he walked down a isle of a church when the pastor made the call and now he was good to go....... I just do not see that type of salvation in the scripture, but maybe I am wrong Paul said to the jailer believe in Jesus and be saved,,,,,,,,, I THink when the bible says believe it also saying to my spirit that obey is something to back up your belief, it is easy to say I believe and continue a life of selfish living,,,,,,,

So how do I know I am saved, I do not sin intentionally any more thats how I know. I am sure I still sin and the holly spirit know it, but its not intentional, It scares me to death think about sinning, my heart has been changed. I want to warn everyone that sin leads to hell. Yes of course I believe and Love the Lord ,,,,,,,how do you know I love the Lord because of my desire to please him. If you say you believe in order to escape hell and not because you love and want to please the Lord do you really believe??

so the questions is are you a christian just because you want to escape hell????????

@Dave M. -- and That is the problem with an altar call to walk the aisle of a church 'to be saved' -- that good-intentioned pastor was , unfortunately, misleading his congregation. Because your buddy's life did Not Show his salvation.

And we Can question people's claims of salvation. A person's life Will show their salvation. The Holy Spirit coming to indwell the believer Will produce the desire To read God's Word and to be in church. We Will want to be fellowshipping with other believers. And when their life Doesn't show Christ -- Then someone needs to take them aside in a loving, caring way and share your concerns.

Before a person is saved , there will be no desire To please God. And, yes, there are times when people hear about hell and realize they Don't want to go there. And that is what brings them To Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has a way of using many situations to bring people to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior. And as the person grows in Christ -- Bible study -- they will appreciate all the Good reasons to Be saved.

But IF a person is using that as the Only reason they want to be saved. It's not a 'get out of hell Free' card. Well -- it might start Out that way -- but when presented with the Truth -- it Will make a difference. through the working of the Holy Spirit.


Maybe this could be compared to 'falling in love with a person' and knowing you want to be married to him/ her. It Might be 'love at 1st sight' Or it Could be something that takes a while to 'grow' -- acquaintance 1st and then a friend and then a closer and closer friendship. And Then Wanting to spend all your time with that person. And the feelings are found to be Mutual. And Then comes thoughts of marriage. And Then the question is asked and accepted. And Then you become husband and wife. And Then the marriage relationship begins and you grow Together spiritually. The two of you spend the rest of your lives together Growing - Developing.

Our inner belief Will be backed up by actions.

You ask some very good, thought-provoking questions that Need to be answered.

As for some of the disciples of Jesus Christ 'falling away' from following Him. Persecution Does separate believers very quickly. But -- in that process -- do they still share the Gospel unto salvation? The scattered because they were scared. 1st time there had been a risen Savior. The Romans had Killed their leader. They didn't want to suffer the same fate. Yet, most of them Were martyrs. I'm thinking that Peter requested to be hung up-side down. But was Some of that so that people could see that they were Not Afraid Of dying? And at times -- others who are torturing us Because of our faith -- and see that We are willing To take a stand For Jesus Christ -- even when it means Dying. They see something that they end up Wanting. And That brings them To Christ.

As for the altar call -- one church we went to -- the pastor told the congregation that he did Not give altar calls -- when anyone wanted to talk with him, he'd be outside or 'wherever' and welcomed talking to anyone who wanted to talk.

 

[PloughBoy]

so this may help us understand we know some of Jesus diciples fell away when he asked them to count the cost, were they Christians?? I doubt if they were born again if they fell away??

The word "Christian" did not exists until about 30 -35 years after the account you are talking about. did you read my post, for edification. How can you speak about a word that had not exists at that time period as if "It did"?. It puts the wrong thoughts into new Christians heads and it leads into a practice of "bad Hermeneutices" that breeds like leaven through out their christian life into generational practices, [Missing the Mark]. that produces Generation sins into interpretational skills. That most likely they will never recover from. And at the same time, you have promoted and fertilize the soil to produce such a crop that will come up at your "Bema Seat Judgment"! When we become much more Mature in Christ, we learn these things, as our "Spiritual Knowledge" becomes much more clearer keener for our rewards and "edification for others" that they will excel as well. We are going to "Judge Angels and The World"! Our sense and wisdom is beyond this world for a reason that the world and carnal Christians is like Light and darkness and great is the darkness between us and them. It is impossible for them to know such Truth.

Dave how can you speak about a era when such a group at that time still walked in darkness and Had not come to the Light, nor understood the Things Jesus was saying to them. When the scripture has made it clear, they didn't. Fully Clear. The Gospels is in the New Testament Books of events that still was in The Old Testament era! Before Jesus rose from the grave, He lived and walked in The Old Testament era and not the New. Jesus live in The Old Testament! His disciples did not have the "Holy Spirit" in The Gospels. The Holy Spirit did not come upon them, Not until , Jesus went to Heaven and sent The Holy Sprirt back on the day of "Pentecost". Then they received The Power to be witnesses. Then Their eyes where open, Then their understanding came to them of what Jesus had told them in the Pass, The Holy Spirit brought them to remembrance of things Jesus said to them and gave them understand what those things meant.

you know this material.

always proclaim "The Truth"

Shalom

 

[PloughBoy]

Somehow I am getting the notice that many christians have never read their Bibles from front to back at all, The way they talk about things in the Bible they hop here in this Book then another book from a verses here to verses here through out the Bible, Hop from this book to that Book, then in the middle of a Book in the Bible then another page , then one here and read what someone else has said. It seems they know nothing about Contemporaries in The Bible in the form of Kingdoms, Prophets, Priests, and alliances , that is made plain, just by plain ordinary reading over and over again. Then you see "The Motif"! they don't understand the christians in the Bible most likely only had The Old Testament writtings they had no New Testament Books They Had No New Testament Book, they only had maybe one letter, here or there, the new testament letters were mostly addressing problems. No wonder in this day and age No one understands the Millennium, they have not read the Book, but only bits and pieces. You most know your Bible like you know the story of "The Little Red RidingHood "! That you can see The Story of Genesis to Revelation in a glimpse. "The Salvation Story" "The Beginning to The End" and what it took to get There" Our Creation" into what we are to be. " This Creation is not by Chance" and GOD is figuring it out as HE went. everything is according to plan. The Story is GOD's Plan and THE GIFT HE is going to give to His SON!

 

[Dave M]

Somehow I am getting the notice that many christians have never read their Bibles from front to back at all,

this is interesting when you really think about it, we here in usa have the bible everywhear and have no excuse not to read it ,,, for me I can not leave the house with out 1-2 hrs in the word first, I crave it for breakfast, but so many people I know who claim to be followers of CHrist dont read it hardly ever, you can also find these people sitting on bar stools at the end of the day,,,,,,,
But how about other countries wear the word of God is against the law, and people are devote Jesus followers who never have even seen a bible, now that is really amazing, just shows us the great power of the Holly Spirit.

 

[DieAmartyr]

When a person becomes a born again believer -- we become new creatures / creations in Christ.

We still must repent no matter what. Repentance is how we accept the gift of salvation. Salvation cannot be granted without it .

 

[backNforth]

Who has Label you a "Christian" have you label yourself or have someone else label you a Christian and by who's definition

How and when was the word "Christian" first used? 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? 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.

The servants of Christ belong to the kingdom of God. If you do not belong to a certain kingdom, you are labeled or named by that kingdom to be of another kingdom. For example, people in the continent (kingdom) of North America call those from the continent (kingdom) of South America, South Americans; from Asia, Asians; from Africa, Africans; from Europe, Europeans. But South Americans don’t call themselves South Americans, Asians don’t call themselves Asians. Africans don’t call themselves Africans, and Europeans don’t call themselves Europeans. Do North Americans call themselves North Americans? When you introduce yourself to somebody, do you say, "Hi! I’m a North American!" No, you don’t, because those from the same kingdom no not place labels on themselves or others. If you are a constituent of a Kingdom, you do not name one in the same Kingdom any thing; but you call them according to the relation between the two of you (brother, sister, mother, father, workman, labourer, minister, bishop, deacon, etc). And who establishes the relation? The Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22, James 4:12).

The term "Christian" was imposed upon the servants of Christ by Christ’s enemies living outside the Kingdom of God, to label those living in the Kingdom of God. Servants of Christ should not call themselves Christians, since this would imply that we are not from the Kingdom of God. Just like someone in Asia would not call themselves ‘Asians’, those living in Christ should not call themselves ‘Christians,’ because it would give the impression to others that you are from a different kingdom.

1 John 4:5, "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world…"

As scripture says, those who are of the world speak of the world, and use the words of the world. By using the words of the world, or by using the words of another kingdom, you identify yourself as being of that kingdom. And, since the word "Christian" is a term of the world, it might be best to use the words of God to describe us.

Here are a few references:

"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.

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:

1. Genesis 49:9, "...he couched as a lion," does not mean Judah was a lion when he couched!
   
   
2. Exodus 15:5, "...they sank into the bottom as a stone," does not mean they were a stone when they sank.
   
   
3. Matthew 17:20, "...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," does not mean faith is a mustard seed.
   
   
4. Matthew 23:37, "...gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens," does not mean God's children were chickens.
   
   
5. 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.

Another question:

Isaiah 62:2, "...and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name."

Does not the word "Christian" fulfil this verse?

If you read this verse in context, and read two verses further, you will actually see what this "new name" is that God will call them.

Isaiah 62:4, "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah..."
Hephzibah means "pleasure." This is the "new name" referred to in verse 2. This is the context. It is not referring to the name "Christian." In scripture, a name refers to one's "character."

 

[PloughBoy]

How and when was the word "Christian" first used? 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? 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.

The servants of Christ belong to the kingdom of God. If you do not belong to a certain kingdom, you are labeled or named by that kingdom to be of another kingdom. For example, people in the continent (kingdom) of North America call those from the continent (kingdom) of South America, South Americans; from Asia, Asians; from Africa, Africans; from Europe, Europeans. But South Americans don’t call themselves South Americans, Asians don’t call themselves Asians. Africans don’t call themselves Africans, and Europeans don’t call themselves Europeans. Do North Americans call themselves North Americans? When you introduce yourself to somebody, do you say, "Hi! I’m a North American!" No, you don’t, because those from the same kingdom no not place labels on themselves or others. If you are a constituent of a Kingdom, you do not name one in the same Kingdom any thing; but you call them according to the relation between the two of you (brother, sister, mother, father, workman, labourer, minister, bishop, deacon, etc). And who establishes the relation? The Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22, James 4:12).

The term "Christian" was imposed upon the servants of Christ by Christ’s enemies living outside the Kingdom of God, to label those living in the Kingdom of God. Servants of Christ should not call themselves Christians, since this would imply that we are not from the Kingdom of God. Just like someone in Asia would not call themselves ‘Asians’, those living in Christ should not call themselves ‘Christians,’ because it would give the impression to others that you are from a different kingdom.

1 John 4:5, "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world…"

As scripture says, those who are of the world speak of the world, and use the words of the world. By using the words of the world, or by using the words of another kingdom, you identify yourself as being of that kingdom. And, since the word "Christian" is a term of the world, it might be best to use the words of God to describe us.

Here are a few references:

"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.



"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:

1. Genesis 49:9, "...he couched as a lion," does not mean Judah was a lion when he couched!
   
   
2. Exodus 15:5, "...they sank into the bottom as a stone," does not mean they were a stone when they sank.
   
   
3. Matthew 17:20, "...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," does not mean faith is a mustard seed.
   
   
4. Matthew 23:37, "...gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens," does not mean God's children were chickens.
   
   
5. 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.

Another question:

Isaiah 62:2, "...and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name."

Does not the word "Christian" fulfil this verse?

If you read this verse in context, and read two verses further, you will actually see what this "new name" is that God will call them.

Isaiah 62:4, "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah..."
Hephzibah means "pleasure." This is the "new name" referred to in verse 2. This is the context. It is not referring to the name "Christian." In scripture, a name refers to one's "character."

I am impress, but the view is so hard for many to grasp. but if only they could, then more light would come.

 

[Sue D.]

We still must repent no matter what. Repentance is how we accept the gift of salvation. Salvation cannot be granted without it .

Repentence would be part of our recognizing our need for salvation. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 -- to be saved. And then at Romans 10:9-10 -- belief in your heart and confession unto salvation.

 

[Sue D.]

Somehow I am getting the notice that many christians have never read their Bibles from front to back at all, The way they talk about things in the Bible they hop here in this Book then another book from a verses here to verses here through out the Bible, Hop from this book to that Book, then in the middle of a Book in the Bible then another page , then one here and read what someone else has said. It seems they know nothing about Contemporaries in The Bible in the form of Kingdoms, Prophets, Priests, and alliances , that is made plain, just by plain ordinary reading over and over again. Then you see "The Motif"! they don't understand the christians in the Bible most likely only had The Old Testament writtings they had no New Testament Books They Had No New Testament Book, they only had maybe one letter, here or there, the new testament letters were mostly addressing problems. No wonder in this day and age No one understands the Millennium, they have not read the Book, but only bits and pieces. You most know your Bible like you know the story of "The Little Red RidingHood "! That you can see The Story of Genesis to Revelation in a glimpse. "The Salvation Story" "The Beginning to The End" and what it took to get There" Our Creation" into what we are to be. " This Creation is not by Chance" and GOD is figuring it out as HE went. everything is according to plan. The Story is GOD's Plan and THE GIFT HE is going to give to His SON!

Some of what you're describing is what a 'word' study is. Taking a particular word and following it's usage through out the Bible. There are many ways To study the Bible. And it might Be true that some people have never read their Bible clear through from front to back. There are Bible reading plans on Internet that can be printed out -- And there is Open Windows -- a daily devotional book that also has a read through the Bible in a year plan included each day.

Okay -- you brought up the Millennium -- what does the Bible say about it.

And, yes, the creation of this world is exactly according to God's plan. After all, He Did the creating.

 

[DieAmartyr]

Repentence would be part of our recognizing our need for salvation. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 -- to be saved. And then at Romans 10:9-10 -- belief in your heart and confession unto salvation.

For this is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15