It is both a benefit and a debit that language is fluid. What a word or phrase means today may mean something else in the future. This language fluidity is part of what is known as a semantic problem, and is so significant that it has become a field of sophisticated study. When a person is called a Christian, what does the term mean? The word evangelical currently helps understanding. However, even the word evangelical has accumulated differing connotations. Dictionaries offer meanings, some contradictory to denotations. For our purpose the biblical evangelical Christian is one who accepts Jesus Christ as God (unique in flesh and spirit), and lives close to biblical meanings for faith, thought and conduct. For example, some evangelical Christians believe that Scripture was verbally inspired (in the choice of the very words in the original) whereas others believe Scripture is entirely worthy as the divine source for faith and conduct in meaning (without dictating word choices). Christian faith identifies with Scripture, so the evangelical uses that source to determine the original meaning of terms and accepts careful exposition for accuracy. To avoid oddities, the careful student will tend to summarize from various texts that repeat a concept, so that texts are not open to private interpretation. The following is summary of the New Testament meaning of Christian, as it is usually understood by evangelical Christians. (Evangelical may appear in a title as different from a definition.)
The term relates primarily to an experience of a human being in a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ accomplished through a faith transaction. It is described in various biblical passages, but a definitive reference is to that of Jesus to Nicodemus: “You must be born again.” (It is a life-changing experience.) Jesus explained the experience in response to questions raised by Nicodemus, questions that we might well have asked in similar conversation. To be Christian is to confess one’s sin nature, and ask to be made into a regenerated inner being in Christ, a spiritual birth. Some wrestling with guilt, doubt, and confusion may follow, but there is also a sense of achievement. The act is done in faith, and the individual can believe it is done because of the offering of Christ on the cross in behalf of all persons. That atonement was offered for the good of all persons. It is effective for those who embrace it by faith. It is not imposed, but is freely received. It is not spiritually institutional, but personal. The person becomes dependent upon God to protect, guide, sanctify, and teach the convert who is in the process of living out the personally incorporated Christian life. That guidance comes through Scripture and prayer, with firm assistance from the Holy Spirit, and by the institutional church that is in biblical context.
Christians are instructed to form the visible church creating fellowship, including service, Bible instruction for belief and personal conduct, the chief forms of which are devotion/prayer and witness/service to spiritual maturity. Evangelicals commonly follow the ordinances of baptism and communion, although with mode variances. Christians can prove to self and others that they are Christians by cultivating righteous (moral) lives, guided by Scripture. That includes both believing and acting in ways of righteousness. The word Christian is sometimes used as an adjective. So we have a Christian church, or college, or mission, or even a business. To be Christian calls for a balanced life; for adoption of habits and attitudes that are constructive; and, for effort to serve the needs of one’s fellow man. It is assumed to include love, peace, kindness, affirmation and other virtues which not only commend the individual, but represent the nature and holiness of God. The Christian is a person in formation for Christ-likeness. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020