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 Joe
Fitch says, (see editorial) "If one takes
"Christ" out of "Christian" that leaves only
--ian, which stands for "I ain't nuthin'!!" We borrow
more from bro. Fitch for this article.
Enoch,
Abraham, and Moses were not "Christians". Christianity
has a time element; is clearly related to "these
last days" of the New Covenant. (See Heb. 9:14-17 1:1-f.
Acts 2:16-f) The "Christian" is also related to Christ
by far more than name and dispensation. Various designations
used for followers of Christ help us to grasp the scriptural
definition.
For
example, Christians are disciples. (Acts 11:26) These are
learners and followers, a relation to the teacher and the
things taught. In the early use of this word among Greeks, the
disciple often lived with the "Master" feeding on his
wisdom and imbibing his spirit. This "new name" (Isa.
62:2) richly describes something wholly incompatible with the
casual "churchgoer".
Christians
are saints, (1 Cor. 1:2) in relation to the old and sin.
The word means "holy" or "set apart from that
which is common." Making "Saint" an honorary or
official classification, as in the Roman church, is unwarranted
by scriptures, and harmful. All true Christians are saints. This
describes their response to a "call",
hence "called-saints", indicative of self-dedication,
commitment.
Christians
are "different" — like a "holy" vessel in
the Jewish temple was different; i.e., reserved to holy use. Of
course the Christian exercises, will in taking such a position
— giving himself to the service of
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God. He is cleansed from sin through
the offering of the Son of God — "sanctified in
Christ" "bought with a price" (1 Cor. 1:2
6:19-20)
In
relation to other Christians, a Christian is a "brother"
("sister"). This is no more a "title"
than is "saint"; yet my wife and I have been
introduced as "Bro. and Mrs. Turner." Why not
"St. and Mrs. Turner"?? I'll have you know my wife is
both saint and sister.
Christians
love one-another, and enjoy the closeness of a spiritual family
relation. "Love the brotherhood" (1 Pet. 2:17) enjoins
individual relations, not "church" associations.
Notice how often James evokes the warmth of brotherly love. Jas.
1:2f)
Christians
are "believers" in relation to Christ, and to
truth. Timothy was to be an example to believers by showing his
love for and fidelity to truth. (1 Tim. 4: 12-16) How sad it is
that many religions have limited "faith" to a sort of
mental acceptance of the historical existence of Christ. Love
for what the Lord said scarcely enters the picture - yet we can
not find scripture that separates Christ from what He
exemplified and taught. His words shall judge us in the last
day. (Jn. 12:48) How can one be a "Christian" who has
no respect for the authority of His word ??
And
Christians are "sons" of God (Jn. 1:12) As such
chastening is not grievous. We bask in the Father's love and
inherit heaven. (Heb. 12:1-f.)
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