They were called Christians
“When he [Barnabas] found him [Paul], he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.).” Acts 11:26 New Living Translation
Strong’s concordance defines the word Christian as, “Χριστιανός Christianós, khris-tee-an-os’; a Christian, i.e., follower of Christ:—Christian.”
The name came about because these men and women had a notable life change, and as a result, they followed Christ.
It was a profound title because it represented a profound change in a person’s life. Approximately ten years following Christ’s ascension, tens of thousands of people followed Christ’s teachings as taught by the Apostles.
The changed lives of these men and women impacted the community of Antioch, and they called these people Christians or followers of Christ.
Through the years, meaning has taken a more subtle tone. According to Wikipedia,
“Christianity in the 21st century is characterized by the pursuit of Church unity and the continued resistance to persecution and secularization.”
Although noble causes, church unity and continued resistance to persecution and secularization are far from what the early Christians pursued.
Today’s Christian
The focus of today’s Christian is primarily centered around how many activities you are committed to within the church. Reading your Bible, praying, and living a righteous life, are given, so the focal point is song service, nursery, children’s church, visitor appreciation, meal preparation for the sick and shut-ins, and various other social issues.
This isn’t to say anything negative about doing these things—they all have their place.
The point is this is generally what defines a Christian today.
A Christ-follower
A Christ-follower focuses on today’s Christian’s “given” things—reading your Bible, praying, and living a righteous life. They spend time in the presence of the Lord away from the church setting, focusing on a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
This is not to say that a Christ-follower is not involved in the activities of a church community.
Some have a gifting to serve (sometimes called the gift of hospitality) their fellow man (not gender-based, meaning male and female), and some do not have that gifting.
It is natural for them to give, serve, and be a helping hand.
If you operate in that gift, God bless you, but if you do not, there is no need for guilt because you don’t. You are to find your part (a balanced fellowship with assist you) and enjoy your serving.
However, everyone is gifted to have a close personal relationship with God, or the Godhead as I call it. Following Christ means finding that relationship; perhaps this blog page can assist you in your journey.
A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is an unexpected journey of discovery.
Join me in the journey; it will be life-altering.