It’s a question that maybe you’ve asked yourself or someone has asked you, and it’s one that must be answered.
Can I Be Just A Christian?
To begin to answer our question, we must gather an idea — a proper one — of what a Christian is. In the scriptures, the word “Christian” is only used three times, twice in Acts and once in 1st Peter. Luke records in Acts 11:20-26 about those in Antioch who heard about the Lord Jesus, believed, and turned to Him. It was those disciples who were first called Christians. Later in Acts is Paul’s defense before Agrippa, where Paul wishes all men were as he was — a Christian (Acts 26:28-29). In his first epistle, Peter writes about suffering as a Christian and rejoicing and glorifying God in those sufferings (1st Peter 4:12-16).
Perhaps we cannot understand from just these three passages what being a Christian is all about, but we can understand several important things: Firstly, that these were people who had done more than just believed. From other accounts in the New Testament we can see that more must be done, but even from only these three sections we see that repentance and obedience is involved. Secondly, we see that it’s the kind of belief, repentance, and obedience that will lead people to be willing to live, suffer, and die for Christ. It’s not just wearing a label, it’s more than that — it’s living a life.
Can I Be Just A Christian?
Maybe a more difficult question for many people is about being just a Christian. From very nearly the beginning of Christianity, people were turning it into following someone besides Christ.
The Corinthians were claiming that they were of Paul, Apollos, Peter, and Christ. Paul had to write to them saying that it should not be that way (1st Corinthians 1:10-15). In verse 13, he writes “Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” to make the point that it was Christ who died for them and they were baptized in the name of Christ.
Following others in addition to or instead of Christ was not just a problem for the Corinthians. Not many centuries later, the Catholic church would form, following the pope. In this past millennium, a great many movements formed following men (whether they wanted to be followed or not). Nearly all these movements have something in common: following men’s books, creeds, or councils. They may even explicitly give those statements authority above the bible.
Can I Be Just A Christian?
Some may wrestle with the idea of themselves being Christians. They’re perfectly willing to believe that others can be, but they doubt for their own selves. They think “I’ve been a horrible person and done so many terrible things” and wonder “Can God still forgive me? Does God still love me?” They may even say “God can never forgive me for all that I’ve done.”
But Isaiah writes that “the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1). God wants all people to be saved (1st Timothy 2:4) and He loved you enough that He sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Yes, you can be just a Christian!
— Stefan Richardson