In the King James version, the term is used only twice once in Act 26:28 and again in 1Pe 4:16.

Verses:

Act 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

In the Darby Bible version the term is also used in 1Co 14:16 "Since otherwise, if thou blessest with the spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple Christian say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest?"

In the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible, the term is also used in 1Pe 4:14 Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you.

There are many Bible translations and they vary with many additional verses where they add or substitue various words in the Bible replacing them with the word Christian, however the ones listed above are the most commonly used.

The Strong's Exhaustive Study lists the word Christian as Χριστιανός and pronounced Christianos (khris-tee-an-os') From G5547; a Christian, that is, follower of Christ: - Christian.

Often this interchanged with the term believer and then used lightly in the sense of many terms such as believing in God, believing in a supreme being, believing Jesus Christ existed or simply acknowledging the Bible itself.

As we see the word itself defined above, it has a much more significant meaning as a follower of Jesus Christ.

A person can believe Jesus Christ existed, but that does not make them a Christian.

A person can believe in God, but that does not make them a Christian.

A person can say Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that does not make them a Christian.

A Christian is a person under the direction of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit, they receive guidance and direction for their lives and seek to do the will of Jesus Christ. This brings the definition of Christian to action as an actual FOLLOWER as the word is meant to be used.

Being a Christian can often be confused with a simple faith to believe in Jesus or to be synonymous with a person's salvation, so let's not confuse the two.

A person can go to heaven and have eternal life without ever actually being a follower of Jesus Christ. We see this example in Luk 23:43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. " This was said by Jesus to the thief on the cross who was crucified the same day by the side of Jesus. He obviously never had the chance to be a Christian, an actual follower of Jesus, but none-the-less was received into paradise with Jesus by the sacrifice of Christ and the faith the thief received.

So now the question is, which are you? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ or merely a believer? Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart and invited the Holy Spirit to fill you with the power to be a follower?

You can receive Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit right now!

Pray this aloud to Jesus,

Jesus, I believe you died for the sins of all and I receive your forgiveness. I want to follow you and ask to be filled with your Holy Spirit right now. I welcome the Holy Spirit and will trust Him to lead, guide, teach and direct me in service to Jesus Christ.

Now thank Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. You can learn more about the baptism of the Holy Spirit Click Here

If you prayed this prayer, please let us know - we would like to rejoice with you!

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