Christ-ian–the suffix -ian simply means “one of.” A Christian is one who is of Christ Jesus the Lord. Before we consider what constitutes a person being a true Christian, it will be helpful to understand what a Christian is not.
A Christian is not merely a follower of the teachings of Jesus. Though a true Christian certainly follows, being a Christian is not just adhering to the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus. For Jesus came not as a teacher for students but as a Saviour for sinners. For example, one isn’t considered a medical student just because he follows the orders of a doctor.
A Christian is not merely one who practices Christian ordinances in worship or is a member of a Christian church. Though a true Christian should obey the symbolic ordinances of our Lord and should be in fellowship with a Bible-based church, performing these things no more makes one a Christian than being in a hospital and putting on a mask makes one a surgeon.
A Christian is not one who merely has emotional feelings or loving thoughts about God and Jesus because of some moving thing experience in his life. Though Christians have emotions, and worship God with their soul as well as their mind, being a Christian involves more than that. Again, just because one is healed by the good skill of a doctor and now is extremely thankful does not make the person a medical society.
Remember, Felix trembled at the Word of God; Baalam prophesied about the Messiah; Judas was a disciple who had the power to heal; Agrippa listened and was almost persuaded; the five virgins had lamps and were waiting for the bridegroom; the rich young ruler was a commandment-keeper and a sincere seeker, and not very far from the kingdom of God; Gehazi served in the ministry; Lot’s wife left sinful Sodom, holding the hand of an angel; Cain worshiped God; the Pharisees praised with eloquent prayers, and the social Sadducees gave money –yet all were lost.
What is a Christian? One who has repented and, believing the gospel of God, has put his trust alone in God’s Son Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary (Rom. 1:l-16; Acts 13:38-39; 16:31; 20:31).
When one trusts the gospel of God from the heart, God’s Word promises forgiveness of all sins, salvation from wrath, a place in the body of Christ which links one with all the inheritance and blessings of the Head, Jesus Christ, and being indwelt with the life of God through the Holy Spirit. This transforms one’s mind, character, lifestyle, and eventually one’s body. Such a person is truly one of Christ’s. This transaction is called “not perish[ing]” but having “everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16), passing from death unto life (Jn. 5:24), and being saved (Acts 16:31).
Being a Christian involves trusting the one and only gospel of God. Practical results should follow, starting with water baptism, because the believer wants to please this One who is our Saviour.
Now let us deal with what the true gospel is that saves. Secondly, we should ask: What are the sure evidences that follow?
Four Elements of the True Gospel
In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle declares the gospel which he received by revelation from Jesus Christ. It consists of four elements, no more and no less.
A Person
“I declare unto you the gospel…how that Christ…”
God’s gospel concerns not a system of religious rules or ethics, but a Person–His only Son, Christ Jesus. The Bible points the sinner to a Person for salvation. “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 Jn. 4:14). “Then Philip opened his mouth… and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35).
“Jesus is the Christ” come in the flesh, is the truth of 1 John 4 and 5. Many call Jesus “Christ” (Messiah) and mean He has the Christ, not is the Christ. In other words the Christ is a great Spirit and Jesus as well as others can have the Christ. But the Bible insists Jesus is the Christ. He is the one God and He became flesh. As the only anointed of the Father, He is the only begotten Son, the Creator who became a child and yet is exalted as Lord. This is the One whom the sinner must acknowledge and trust.
A Performance
“I declare unto you the gospel…how that Christ died for our sins…and that He was buried, and that…He rose again the third day.”
While the gospel points to a Person, it embodies more than a person: “Christ crucified.” It involves a performance or work that deals with sin against the holy God–not the sinner’s works but the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
It is the Lord Jesus who fully bore the sinner’s sin and paid the penalty of death in full by the shedding of His precious blood. His resurrection from the dead fully shows that His shameful death on the cross was counterbalanced and accepted by God the Father Himself (Acts 13:26-39).
The Lord’s death met the penalty of the sinner’s sin, His burial broke the connection with sin, and His resurrection brings the believer into a living union with God (Rom. 6).
It is the historical performance of Christ to which the sinner is always pointed for full forgiveness and acceptance–never any work/performance the sinner must do.
Prophetic Seal
“I declare unto you the gospel…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures”
God’s gospel in Jesus Christ is verified by a prophetic seal, the ancient writings of the prophets (Scriptures). The sinner’s faith is not linked to emotional feelings or religious tradition but to the solid evidence of God’s Word. To predict details hundreds of years in advance requires divinity. The Bible presents Messiah Jesus in this way. Only Jesus has fulfilled the prophets. “To Him [Jesus] give all the prophets witness” (Acts 10:43). Fulfilled prophecy is the unrivaled trademark of divine inspiration.
A Promise
“I declare unto you the gospel…which also ye have received …by which also ye are saved.”
Based on the Person’s (Christ) performance according to God’s Scriptures, the gospel offers a promise of grace for the sinner to trust. The promise is that God will save the believing sinner from hell and give him eternal life consummating in heaven (Jn. 3:16, etc.).
For one to say he holds the first 3 elements but can’t say for sure he has everlasting life is not to believe the promise of the gospel. The true gospel promises that one is “saved” by faith in the God of this gospel alone–plus nothing. The counterfeit gospels might even hold the first three but deny the promise and thus point the sinner to religious rules and works rather than God’s Word. “For the promise is unto you” is the language of Peter in declaring the gospel (Acts 2:39).