Who Are Christians?

by Jarvie, G. | Category: General | Aug 1954

"The disciples were called Christians" (Acts 11. 26).

The name "Christian" was first given in Antioch to anyone who was a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some think that the name was divinely given, but the writer does not share that opinion. In any case we are sure that at the beginning, it was disciples only who were given that name. Who are the Christians to-day?

Early in this era, the Christians were a comparatively small company. Where there was a company of Christians in any town, that company was known as the church of God in that town. AU were obedient to the word of the Lord given through His apostles.. As long as they obeyed the word of the apostles, so long did they remain churches of God. But numbers were multiplied, and divisions arose among them, until many who were called Christians had little resemblance, in their doctrine and practice, to the disciples who were in the early churches of God.

The population of the world to -day has been estimated at two thousand millions. Of this vast company about six hundred millions are reckoned to be Christians. These again are scattered in many different denominations. The huge Roman Catholic Church claims to have about three hundred million "Christians." The many Protestant denominations together claim a somewhat similar number. But, we ask, Who are Christians?

We do not wish to dispute over a name, but only to point out the truth, and to leave it with the reader to decide. God is the Judge of all hearts.

It is undoubtedly true that the great majority of the six hundred millions who are counted as Christians to-day, have no resemblance to the Christians who were at Antioch. They have no more certain hope of eternal life than the Buddhists or the Mohammedans, and there is but little difference in their manner of life. The average. Roman Catholic, for instance, is as dark in his heart as the average Buddhist.

Among the Protestant denominations also, the great majority lack any assurance of eternal life. They are strangers to the experience of the new birth. In most of the Protestant denominations, however, there are some who are truly born again, and who hold the truth of the inspiration of the Scriptures. These are often called "Evangelicals," to distinguish them from those who are not born again, or who do not believe that the Scriptures are inspired of God. Many of the evangelicals seem to be satisfied to remain among the spiritually dead, though thankful that they themselves are alive!

Who then are Christians? The question becomes more difficult than ever to answer! Yet, how simple it is if we accept the language of the Scriptures. "The disciples were called Christians." Who then is a disciple? That is easier to answer! A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who knows Him, and who obeys His word.

The name "Christian" is known world-wide to-day, but as it is used to-day it has ceased to convey the meaning which it had in the first century. To-day, a man is termed a" Christian "not because he knows or follows Christ, but only because he is not an atheist or a Jew, or a Buddhist or a Mohammedan, etc.

Much fewer in number than these nominal "Christians" are the "Evangelicals," and we are thankful for them, and their evident faith in Christ, and missionary zeal. In the main, these dear brethren and sisters in Christ seem content to be evangelicals. Many of them think more of their faith in Christ, and their zeal in service, than they do of obedience to Christ. They rejoice that they are all one in Christ Jesus, though they are scattered in many different denominations.

But there is yet another group, the "disciples." Happy are they who are found among them. It may interest the reader to know that the name "Christian" is found three times in the New Testament. The term" Evangelical "is never mentioned in the Bible. "Disciple" or 'disciples" is found 205 times, in the New Testament, and once in the Old Testament. (The word in Isaiah 8.16 means "such as are taught." See also Isaiah 50.4 where the Lord as the Disciple of the Lord GOD is seen. The Hebrew word is of frequent use.)

To the many who are designated "Christians" but who do not know Christ, we have only a brief word now. Your baptism and your church attendance are of no value in God's sight. "Ye must be born again." You can have no assurance of eternal life until you know Christ. Why not come to Him to-day in all your need and uncertainty? This is essential if you would be a Christian in truth, and not merely in name. You will then know the power of Christ in your life.

To all our brethren and sisters in Christ-those who claim that they are evangelicals-we would affectionately write. God has something more for you than evangelicalism. You have come to Christ, and He has given you the rest which He promised (Matthew 11.28). But He has a further rest for you, a rest which you can only find if you will take His yoke upon you and learn of Him. (Matthew

11. 29, 30).

"His yoke "-What does that mean? It means subjection to Him and obedience to His word, which is the word of His apostles. It involves separation in church fellowship from those who do not know Him, or who will not obey Him. It means being joined together with His disciples who love Him and obey Him. It is wrong to remain in church fellowship with those who are obviously unconverted. "What communion hath light with darkness " (2 Corinthians 6.14). It is wrong to remain in church fellowship where the will of the Lord is not done. The Lord calls you to be a disciple, not merely an evangelical. He calls you to take His yoke upon you and learn of Him. That will mean separation from those who will not learn of Him.

Separation is a price that has to be paid by such as obey the truth. You can be an evangelical without separation, but you cannot be a disciple without separation. You may ask, "But if I separate from church fellowship with all those who do not know Christ, or who do not obey Him, then surely I will not be able to help them as I might, or to serve Christ as I can now? " It is true that the number you will meet with may be fewer, but what is that compared with obedience to Christ? His yoke is the truth-it is His word. If we love the Lord, then we must love His word.

"If a man love Me, he will keep My word-he that loveth Me not keepeth not My words" (John 14.23, 24).

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice-stubbornness is as idolatry" (1 Samuel 15.22, 23).

Dear brethren and sisters in Christ, let us put first things first, and the first thing in our lives, as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, is to be His disciples, not merely to be evangelicals.

"He died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him who for their sakes died and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5.15).

Living unto Him means a surrendered will; it means doing His will. It means separation from what is not His will, and it means being joined with His disciples.

"Follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2.22).

The reader may wish to learn more about the will of the Lord for His disciples. If so, send a note to the publishers of this magazine, and they will be happy to send you some booklets concerning the truth of God for disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jarvie, G. | Aug 1954
General