What Is A Christian?

What's wrapped up in that word, Christian? It's a label that can describe beliefs, but with little agreement about who is and who isn't. It's a label that has political overtones, but which is used across a broad spectrum of political ideas. It's a powerful word that evokes images and emotions, a word that can stir up division, but what does it really mean, and what does it say about who we are and how we should live?

In Acts 11:28, Luke makes the statement that followers of Christ were first called "Christians" in Antioch, which is in modern-day Turkey. The original word was meant to identify men and women who were followers of Jesus Christ, and in Luke's day, it was a label that might threaten your freedom, even your life.

Jesus never intended to put a label on us; he wants to change our hearts and our lives. Jesus never called people to be Christians; he called them to be his disciples. If we focus our hearts on his greatest commandment – to love God and love people – we will become his disciples, and we will be Christians who can change the world.

Together, let's dig into the Scriptures and explore the truth and fiction behind one of the most famous and infamous names in history: Christian.