HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN ONLY

There is no greater plea in the world today than that one which invites people to be “Christians on-ly.” The name Christian includes all that is needed, or should be desired, for spiritual appellation. In-deed, a real, genuine “follower of Christ” should be content in worshipping God as a “Christian only.” Anything less than a Christian is far too short, and anything that goes beyond, transgresses heaven's testimony for humankind. But the important question is: “How may one be a Christian and nothing else?”

OBEY THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST AND NO MORE

To obey the Gospel as revealed in the New Testament means:

  • Believe in Jesus Christ as the crucified, buried and risen Lord (John 8:28; Rom. 10:10).
  • Repent of past or alien sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30).
  • Confess your faith in Christ (Mat. 10:32; Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37).
  • Be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15; Rom. 6:4; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

Upon such obedience, we have the assurance that God will add us to “the church” (Acts 2:47). And we further know that such disciples were called “Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

WEAR THE NAME OF CHRIST AND NO OTHER

The fact that God promised a “new name” (Isa. 62:2), and that he gave it “first in Antioch,” should be ample evidence of the all-sufficiency of that name. To add to it, to put a handle on it, to weaken it by adding some human name, is but to mar its beauty, dishonor the head of the church, discredit him who died for us and whose name we are to wear (Acts 4:12).

It is, then, possible to wear the name of Christ and no other. The Holy Spirit even condemned the wearing of names of inspired men in New Testament times. How could it benefit us to wear names of men who are not inspired, or names given by men who are without heaven's authority to give them (1 Cor. 1:10-13)?

ACCEPT AND ABIDE BY THE CREED OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND NO OTHER

This must necessitate a repudiation of all manmade creeds that have become binding upon so many people. It must do away with human doc-trines for governing worship. It takes the New Testament to make a Christian; it takes something more than the New Testament to make a person more than a Christian. It is possible to make the claim “let us follow the Bible only,” yet in actual practice, preaching and worship, accept along with it the “doctrines and commandments of men” (Mat.15:9). Creeds must be revised each year, but the Word of God never has to be revised. Accept it and nothing else.

BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LORD AND NOTHING ELSE

It is possible to obey the Gospel, genuinely be-come a child of God and then go off and “join some-thing” unheard of in the Bible, join an institution not founded by Christ, not wearing his name, nor worshipping according to his divine guidance. To do this is not to be a “Christian only.” God’s book, the Bible, is sufficient. The Lord’s church, the church of Christ, is enough. It is said: “It makes no difference what church one is a member of.” The Bible says that the church is the body of Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). Paul says there is only one body; the conclusion is there is only ONE CHURCH.

HAVE A “THUS SAITH THE LORD” FOR ALL THAT WE DO

If followed, this sacred principle would make it impossible for us to have in the public worship anything that is not authorized by our heavenly Father. There is something wrong with the man who is not satisfied to take just what the Bible has said. Our worship is to be one of faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Faith comes by hearing God's Word (Rom. 10:17). If we practice anything that we did not get from hearing and studying God's Word, it is not of faith. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). When sin is finished, it brings forth death (Jam. 1:15).

A FINAL THOUGHT

From these Scriptures we see that in order to be pleasing to our Father, we must have a “thus saith the Lord” for all that we do. Let us have no doctrine but that which is of Christ, no name but the name Christian, no creed but the New Testament, be a member of no church but that which belongs to Christ, and have a “thus saith the Lord” for all that we do and say religiously. In this way, all men are privileged to be Christians only!

Foy L. Smith

The Christian Life

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian’” (Acts 26:28). “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Peter 4:16).

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

  1. It means remission of past sins (Acts 2:38).
  2. Membership in the church, the Body of Christ (Acts 2:47).
  3. He can call God, Father (Romans 8:15).
  4. He can worship and serve God acceptably (John 9:31).
  5. He has the hope of eternal life in Christ (Revelation 2:10).

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

  1. He believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).
  2. He repents unto life (Acts 11:18).
  3. He confesses unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
  4. He is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans. 6:3). He is born again (John 3:5). See also I Peter 1:23.
  5. A Christian must live like Christ; must follow Him.

WHY WEAR THE NAME CHRISTIAN?

  1. It honors Christ who died for us (Hebrews 2:9).
  2. We were baptized in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5).
  3. Paul condemned human names (I Corinthians 1:10).
  4. We are married to Christ (Romans 7:4). Therefore, we should wear His name.
  5. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12).
  6. We are His children (Galatians 3:26). Hence, we are in His family, and should wear His name and no other.

BECOME AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO KEEP SAVED?

A. This great question implies:

  1. Man was once lost in sin.
  2. That he has been saved.
  3. There is a danger of falling.
  4. Something must be done to remain saved.

B. There is a danger of falling.

  1. Demas hath forsaken me . . .” (II Timothy 4:10).
  2. Simon was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8:22).
  3. The last state was worse than the first (II Peter 2:20).

C. Christians have the power to stand.

  1. Give all diligence and add the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10).
  2. Make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10).
  3. Then, “Ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10).

D. Four safe rules to follow:

  1. Read the Bible daily. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The engrafted word will save (James 1:21). We will be judged by it (John 12:48).
  2. Pray to God every day. Pray Without ceasing – have a regular time for prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
  3. Attend all the services of the church. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). The disciples met upon the first day of the week.(Acts 20:7). Christians need this spiritual food.
  4. Give liberally of time, talents and means. See I Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”

MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

OUR RELATIONS ONE TO ANOTHER

A. Love one another.

  1. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
  2. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
  3. One cannot love God whom he hath not seen and hate his brother whom he hath seen (I John 4:20).

B. Bear one another’s burdens.

  1. “Bear ye one another’s burdens [the crushing burden beyond one’s ability to carry, John Rose] and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
  2. “For every man shall bear his own burden [any load one can carry, himself; John Rose]” (Galatians 6:5).
  3. Each individual must bear his own responsibility to God.

One cannot obey God for another person. However, we can help one another bear the infirmities of the flesh.

C. Forgive one another.

  1. "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
  2. How often shall we forgive? Jesus said to Peter: “Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
  3. “And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4).

D. Pray for one another.

  1. Paul said: “Brethren pray for us” (I Thessalonian 5:25).
  2. “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
  3. Samuel said: “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (I Samuel 12:23).

LET US HELP ONE ANOTHER

(above adapted by John Rose from a tract)

GOD’S DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN ACTS 11:26

There are various definitions given of a Christian. The only one that is worthwhile is God’s definition. The only kind of Christian worthwhile is the one as defined by God. The reason for saying this is God’s definition of a Christian is because of the meaning of chrematizo, translated “called.” It is not a nickname, claimed by some. “And it was in Antioch that the disciples first received the name Christian.” (Weymouth). The Greek word rendered called implies a divine source. It is “to be divinely instructed, to receive a warning or revelation from God” (Green’s Greek-English Lexicon). “To give a response to those consulting an oracle, to give divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven; to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed; to be the mouth-piece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands God” (Thayer). 

The word is found nine times in the New Testament (Matthew 2:12; 2:22; Luke 2:26; Acts 10:22; Hebrews 8:5; 11:7; 12:25; Romans 7:3; Acts 11:26). In all of these instances it has reference to divine revelation, unless Acts 11:16 is an exception. The meaning of the word fits Isaiah 62:2: “Which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.” Compare Romans 7:3: “She shall be called an adulteress.” Who calls her an adulteress? Compare “defer not, for thine own sake, my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name” (Daniel 9:19). In Israel, we have the root of Elohim, the Hebrew name for God, which supplies an explanation for the statement, “Thy people are called by thy name.” Amos 9:12 and Acts 15:17 are equivalents. Thus the subject: “God’s Definition of a Christian.’ Why was not this name given at Pentecost? We may not know, but I can think of a reason. Christian is the sum of Christianity. Christianity not Jewish, not peculiar to Jews. This is implied in the very fact that the term that most describes Christianity was not given until Gentiles were brought in. Thus, those who think of Christianity offering something yet for Jews in a special way have not properly understood Christianity. 

A Christian is one who heard the Gospel and believed it (Acts 11:19-21). Why were there no Christians in Antioch prior to this time? There were not any that had heard the Gospel and believed. A Christian is one that assembles (Acts 11:26; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42). The Christians at Antioch assembled. The Christians in every place assemble. A Christian is one that accepts responsibility (Acts 11:29). Note the words – every man – determined – according to his ability. They did not seek to do as little as they could but as much as they could. Many seem to think today that a Christian is one who does as little as he can. A Christian does not shirk responsibility. A Christian is one in the Lord’s church (Acts 11:26). There were no Christians in Antioch that were not members of the church. There were no Christians in Antioch that were members of another church. “I give in mine house and within my walls...a name” (Isaiah 56:5). The church is God’s house (I Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42; Galatians 3:26-27). 

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN AS DEFINED BY GOD? 

Franklin Camp

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Is There Anything In a Name?

Names for the Church Reference to the church of the New Testament is made by several designations. We do not insist that Christ’s church was called by one uniform name – it was not. However, each reference to the church is not without meaning; and we contend that in order to be scriptural—A SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATION MUST BE USED.  

The church belongs to Christ, and He sustains such close relationship to it that it is proper, fit-ting, and scriptural to just call it the church of Christ, or Christ’s church. 

  1. It belongs to Him (Matthew 16:18). 
  2. He built it (Matthew 16:18). 
  3. He is the Head of it (Colossians 1:18). 
  4. He is the foundation (I Corinthians 3:11). 
  5. He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). 
  6. It is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). 
  7. He is Savior of it (Ephesians 5:23). 
  8. He is King over HIS KINGDOM, which is His church (Matthew 16:19; John 18:36). 

Here are some expressions used in referring to the church: 

“household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10); 

“kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13); 

“house of God” (I Timothy 3:15); 

“church of God” (I Corinthians 1:2); [and] 

“body of Christ” (I Corinthians 12:27). ​

In referring to a number of local congregations, Paul says, “the churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16).  

These all have reference to one and the same church, the one that Jesus built – the one we read about in the New Testament – and He built only one (I Corinthians 12:20).  

It is important that we be right in doctrine, worship, and organization; but the importance of being scriptural in name cannot be ignored. Men should not dare to accept, follow, and foster a name religiously that is not found in the New Testament.  

Party Names Reveal Party Doctrines 

This fact does not make them right, but it is a fact nevertheless. Religious names reveal what the ones wearing them believe and practice. Often it is necessary to inquire further and classify one in a specific way to ascertain his real position. To illustrate, with ill-will toward none, when a man says he is a “Baptist,” it is necessary to inquire further since there are so many kinds of Baptists. Is he a Primitive Baptist? a Free-will Baptist? a Southern Baptist? a Northern Baptist? Or a Fundamentalist Baptist? After he says which kind he is, then it is revealed pretty well what he believes and practices. Why? Because party beliefs and practices are wrapped up in and expressed by party names. Hence, party names are not meaningless. There is no promised blessing of God in them, but rather the reverse. 

However, “Lutheran” exalts Martin Luther; “Baptist” exalts the act of baptism; and “Presbyterian” exalts the eldership. So, it cannot be said that there is nothing even in party names— though they be unscriptural, and cause discord and division. This point may be more clearly seen by considering this fact: it takes Catholic doctrine to make Catholics; it takes Baptist doctrine to make Baptists. The Bible only makes Christians only.  

The Importance and Significance of the New Name 

“Christian” is supposed to indicate a special relationship to Christ. The word “Christian” is used loosely today. Nations that are corrupt in many, many ways may be referred to as a “Christian” nation. Many think they are Christians when they have not done what it takes to become a Christian. In the book of Acts, there are ten cases of conversion. By doing as they did, one today can become a Christian.  

Being a Christian in New Testament times, indicated: 

THAT one belonged to Christ (I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:18,19). 

THAT one had been baptized in the name of Christ. No one has a right to wear the name of Christ UNTIL he has been baptized in His name (I Corinthians 1:12-[13]). 

THAT one was in the church of Christ. In becoming a Christian – hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized – one is thereby added by Christ to His church (Acts 2:47). 

THAT one had been separated from the world, was dead to sin, and alive to righteousness (Romans 6:2). 

THAT one had been baptized into Christ and into His death, buried, and raised to walk a new life (Romans 6:3-4). 

THAT he had been thereby made free from sin, (Romans 6:17,18); having been baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), thus obtaining the benefits of Christ’s death and blood. 

THAT he was worshipping and striving to serve Christ according to His revealed will (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Ephesians 5:19). 

THAT one was trying to be Christ-like, letting Christ live in him (Galatians 2:20); and looking for-ward to being like Christ in Heaven (I John 3:2).  

Hence, faithful followers of Christ gladly wear the name of their Savior, Prophet, Priest, King, and Redeemer. It expresses a sweet and tender relationship, and every time it is spoken IT EXALTS HIM WHO DIED THAT WE MAY LIVE FOREVER in Heaven the home for the redeemed. Are you a Christian? And a Christian only? If not, become one at once and thereby be added to Christ’s church. There is neither reason nor revelation for being more than just a humble Christian!  

YES, THERE IS SOMETHING IN A NAME!  

A. G. Hobbs