Do you call yourself a Christian, or do you call yourself a Child of God? When we look to the Bible, can we find the title that we are to use in describing ourselves?
Christians
It may surprise many, but the word Christian and the word Christians are only mentioned a total of three (3) times in the New Testament. The title Christians is referenced in Acts 11:26. In Acts 26:28 and I Peter 4:16 we find the title Christian.
In Acts 11:26-30 we see that the members of the Jewish church at Antioch were the first to be called Christians. We also see that these Christian disciples collected money for their “brethren that dwelt in Judea,” who believing that the Kingdom was imminent (Acts 2:44-45) had “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
Acts 11:26-30
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
In Acts Chapter 26 Paul is speaking before King Agrippa, who was the last Jewish king of Judea. Please read all of Acts Chapter 26 to see the full conversation between Paul and King Agrippa.
Paul asks King Agrippa in verses 27-28 if he believes the prophets, to which King Agrippa responds by saying that Paul has almost persuaded him to be a Christian.
Acts 26:27-28
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
In I Peter Chapter 4 Peter is speaking to his Jewish brethren concerning Christ’s suffering and instructs them how to live their lives as Christians. In verse 16 Peter says that if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God.
I Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
The Jews that believed that Jesus was their Messiah and Lord suffered persecution. We see in Acts 8:1 that Saul was consenting to the death of Stephen and that the believing Jews were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Children of God
In all of Paul’s 13 epistles, Paul is always speaking to believers of the gospel. Paul calls us children of God in Romans 8:16, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:21, Galatians 3:26. In Ephesians 5:1 we are called to be followers of God, as dear children.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
Christians
In Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and I Peter 4:16 we see that the Jews that believed Jesus to be their Messiah and Lord were called Christians. These Christians believed in the “gospel of the kingdom.” These Jews believed in the prophesied Tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom, and their eternal earthly kingdom on the new earth.
Children of God
In Romans 8:16, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:21, Galatians 3:26 and Ephesians 5:1 we are told that God bestows upon us our identity as His children, by our faith in Jesus Christ. We are joint-heirs with Christ by our belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins, that He was buried and that He rose again on the third day.
We become children of God by our faith in the “gospel of the grace of God.” Once we become a child of God, we will forever be a child of God. God is a faithful and loving Father.
Christian or child of God – which of these two titles best describes you?