What Does It Take To Be A REAL Christian?

In preparation for some evangelistic work that the congregation is planning for the summer, I have dusted off an article that I wrote while working with the church in Tyngsboro, MA. Here it is.

****************
****************

Many in our society consider themselves Christians often for very different reasons. If you were to conduct a mini-opinion poll among 10 neighbors asking: “What does it take to be a REAL Christian?” you might get 10 different answers.

What is the biblical definition of a Christian? According to Acts 11:26 a Christian is a disciple of Christ. For “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” In the New Testament, no other group of people is ever referred to as Christians. But what exactly is a “disciple” and at what point does one become a disciple of Christ?

A “disciple” is a learner, a student. In ancient times a person would attach himself to some teacher, following him around the country, learning all that he could from him. But in addition to the learning process, “there was the necessity of the disciple adopting the philosophy, practices and way of life of his teacher.” (The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, D-G, p. 130) Thus, a “disciple” of Karl Marx would not only know what Marx taught, but would strive to live in accordance with his teachings. Likewise, a “disciple” of Jesus not only knows the teaching of Jesus, but also abides in those teachings. This is exactly how the Lord describes his disciples in the gospel of John: (8:31-32) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, `If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall made you free.”

Disciples of Christ are devoted to learning the teachings of Jesus. Hence they read and study the New and reliable record of His life and teachings. But disciples do more than learn facts; they also strive live in harmony with His teachings. In word and in deed they seek to live by what He says. (Colossians 3:17) Such determination often requires great sacrifices. It might even result in family problems. But Jesus has said that unless one is willing to make such a sacrifice he cannot be one of His disciples: (Matthew 10:34-39) “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man's enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

But at what point in time does one actually become a disciple of Jesus - a Christian? Jesus had something to say about this in Matthew 28:18-20:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The main burden of the Lord's commission was to “make disciples of all the nations.” But Jesus attaches two clauses that modify “make disciples,” explaining how disciples are made – “baptizing them” and “teaching them.” Hence, two things are involved in the process of making Christians: baptism (immersion) “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and “teaching them to observe all things” that Jesus had commanded.

As was stated in the beginning, if one were to conduct a poll among 10 friends asking: “What does it take to be a REAL Christian?” he might get 10 different answers. But as we have seen there is only one right answer to the question. A Christian is a disciple of Christ – a believer who has been baptized (immersed) into the name of Jesus and is committed to obey everything that He has commanded.

In conclusion, I would like to ask: “Are you a REAL Christian?”

Kieran Murphy
First Principles