Core Belief & Foundation
What is a Christian?
Before we ask what it means to be a Christian today, it helps to begin with how the Bible uses the name.
โ
The word “Christian” first appears in Acts 11:26, where we are told that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
At first, this name seems to have been given publicly to those who were clearly associated with Jesus. It may even have been used as a derogatory label or insult by outsiders to describe those who belonged to Christ.
โ
But the earliest believers most often called themselves disciples.
โ
A disciple is not simply someone who agrees with Christian teaching. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, learns from Him, and is slowly shaped by His life, His words, and His way.
โ
“Christian” described the association.
Disciple described the life.
โ
Over time, believers did not run from the name Christian. They embraced it. What may have begun as a derogatory label or insult became a confession of belonging.
โ
Believers were also called “Nazarenes” — people identified with Jesus of Nazareth. In Acts 24:5, Paul is described as a leader of the “sect of the Nazarenes.”
โ
Some interpreters also see a possible connection between “Nazarene” and the Hebrew word netzer, meaning “branch,” echoing the promise of a coming Branch from the line of Jesse in Isaiah 11:1. That connection should be held carefully, but it carries a beautiful image.
โ
A Christian is someone whose life is traced back to Jesus.
โ
His identity.
His death.
His resurrection.
His way.
Names Used for Christians in the New Testament
Before “Christian” became the name most widely used, followers of Jesus were described in several ways throughout the New Testament.
โ
Each name gives us a glimpse into how the early believers understood their identity, relationship with Christ, and place within the people of God. These titles highlight different aspects of the Christian life, including faith, discipleship, holiness, family, service, and belonging.
โโโ
Disciples (mathฤtai)
Meaning: Learners, followers, or apprentices.
โ
This is one of the most common words used in the Gospels and Acts.
A disciple is someone who learns from Jesus, follows Him, and is shaped by His teaching and example.
Examples: Matthew 5:1–2 · John 8:31 · Acts 6:1
โ
Believers (pisteuontes)
Meaning: Those who trust in Christ.
โ
The early Christians were also called believers — people who had placed their faith in Jesus.
Faith was not only something they claimed. It was the foundation of their lives.
โ
Examples: Acts 5:14 · 1 Timothy 4:12
โ
Saints (hagioi)
Meaning: Holy ones; people set apart for God.
โ
Paul often calls believers “saints.”
This does not mean they were perfect. It means they belonged to God and had been made holy through Christ.
โ
Examples: Romans 1:7 · 1 Corinthians 1:2 · Ephesians 1:1
โ
Brethren / Brothers & Sisters (adelphoi)
Meaning: Members of God's family.
โ
The church was not simply an organisation. It was a spiritual family.
Those who belonged to Christ now belonged to one another as brothers and sisters.
โ
Examples: Acts 1:15 · James 2:1
โ
Followers of “The Way”
Meaning: A way of life centred on Jesus.
โ
In Acts, followers of Jesus were sometimes associated with “the Way.”
Christianity was understood not merely as a set of beliefs, but as a path to walk — a life shaped by Christ Himself.
โ
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6
โ
Examples: Acts 9:2 · Acts 19:9 · Acts 24:14
โ
Nazarenes
Meaning: Followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
โ
Believers were publicly identified with Jesus and His hometown.
In Acts 24:5, Paul is accused of being a leader among the Nazarenes. The name linked Christians to Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whom many had rejected.
โ
Example: Acts 24:5
โ
The Church (ekklesia)
Meaning: The called-out assembly or gathered people of God.
โ
The word church does not first refer to a building.
It refers to a people whom God has called together through Christ.
โ
Examples: Acts 8:1 · 1 Corinthians 1:2
โ
Servants / Bondservants of Christ (douloi)
Meaning: Those who belong to and serve Christ.
โ
Some New Testament writers describe themselves as servants, or bondservants, of Christ.
The title expresses devotion, obedience, and wholehearted commitment to the Lord.
โ
Examples: Romans 1:1 · James 1:1
โ
Children of God
Meaning: Those adopted into God's family through Christ.
โ
Believers are also called children of God.
Through Jesus, we are not only forgiven but welcomed into a relationship with God as our Father.
โ
Examples: John 1:12 · Romans 8:16
โ
The Elect / Chosen
Meaning: Those whom God has graciously chosen for Himself.
The New Testament speaks of believers as chosen by God.
This reminds us that Christian identity begins with God's grace and initiative, not our own efforts.
โ
Examples: Colossians 3:12 · 1 Peter 1:1
โ
Before buildings, institutions, or denominations knew Christians, they were known as people who belonged to Jesus.
โ
They followed Him.
They learned from Him.
They trusted Him.
They walked in His way.
A Christian is someone who…
Follows Jesus
The Bible often uses the word disciple.
โ
A disciple is a learner, follower, and apprentice of Jesus — someone who trusts Him, listens to Him, and is being shaped by His life and teaching.
โ
Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
โ
Christianity is not simply agreeing with certain ideas. It is the beginning of a life with Christ.
Believes the gospel
A Christian believes the good news of Jesus Christ.
โ
This means more than believing that God exists. It means trusting that Jesus is who He said He is, that He died for our sins, and that God raised Him from the dead.
โ
Jesus said:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
โ
Christianity does not rest on our moral record. It rests on Jesus.
โ
Turns to God
The Bible calls this repentance.
Repentance is not self-hatred. It is turning back to God.
It is turning from sin to mercy, from self-rule to God’s rule, from the old path to the way of Christ.
โ
Jesus said:
“Repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
โ
Belongs to Jesus as Lord
To call Jesus Lord is not only to admire Him. It is to belong to Him.
โ
Christians believe Jesus has rightful authority over their lives because He is risen.
This is costly, but it is not a loss of freedom. It is the beginning of true freedom.
โ
Jesus said:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
Luke 6:46
Is in Christ
The phrase “in Christ” can sound abstract, but it is one of the richest ways the Bible describes a Christian.
It means that through faith, we are united to Jesus.
-
His death counts for us.
-
His life is shared with us.
-
His Spirit is given to us.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
John 15:4
โ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
โ
A Christian life is not only about trying to copy Jesus from a distance. It is about receiving a new identity in Him.
Is born again
Jesus said:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
โ
This is not simply a personality change or an emotional moment. It is new life given by God.
It is a new beginning that reshapes what we love, what we trust, and how we live.
Is joined to a people
Christianity is personal, but it is not private.
โ
When someone belongs to Christ, they are also joined to His people.
The Bible calls the church the body of Christ and the household of God.
โ
Jesus said:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
Examples: 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 · Ephesians 2:19–22
We follow Jesus together.
Bears fruit
If someone asks, “How do I know this faith is real?” the Bible points to fruit.
โ
Not perfection, but a changed direction.
-
Love.
-
Joy.
-
Peace.
-
Patience.
-
Kindness.
-
Faithfulness.
-
Self-control.
โ
Jesus said:
“Every healthy tree bears good fruit.”
Matthew 7:17
โ
Examples: Galatians 5:22–23 · John 13:35
โ
A Christian is not someone who never struggles. A Christian is someone whose life is being changed by the grace of God.
Lives with a different hope
Christians live in the world, but they do not worship the world.
โ
The Bible describes believers as sojourners and exiles — people whose deepest home is with God.
This does not mean withdrawing from the world. It means living faithfully within it, without making lesser things ultimate.
Christians are also sent into the world as witnesses and ambassadors of Christ.
โ
Jesus said:
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
โ
Examples: 1 Peter 2:11 · Acts 1:8 · 2 Corinthians 5:20
Why the cross?
A common question is: Why would forgiveness require death?
โ
Christians believe the cross shows us two things at once: the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s mercy.
Sin is not small. It wounds what is good, separates us from God, and brings death into the world. But God does not stand far away from the cost of forgiveness.
โ
In Jesus, He comes near.
At the cross, Christians see the holiness of God and the love of God meeting together. Evil is not ignored. Sin is not excused. But through Christ, it is carried, judged, and overcome.
โ
This is why Christians believe forgiveness is not cheap. It is grace — but grace came at a cost.
And through the death and resurrection of Jesus, disciples are not only forgiven. They are restored.
Put simply: A Christian is someone who has turned to God, trusted in Jesus Christ — crucified and risen — and is now learning to follow Him as a disciple.
โ
-
They belong to Him.
-
They are being made new by His Spirit.
-
They live for God’s glory and the good of others.
โ
If you want to explore this for yourself, start with the Gospels — the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
If you are ready to begin, start with the Gospel of John.
The Foundations of the Christian Faith
If “What is a Christian?” describes the person, these foundations describe the message Christians are trusting.
You do not have to pretend you already understand or agree with everything here. This is simply a place to begin.
God: Holy, Personal, and Triune
Christians believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
โ
God is holy, good, just, and merciful. He is not a bigger version of us. He is the One who made us, knows us, and defines what is good.
โ
Examples: Isaiah 6:3 · Psalm 99:9
Humanity: Made for God, Broken by Sin
The Bible teaches that human beings were made in the image of God.
โ
We were created for truth, love, worship, relationship, and life with Him.
But Scripture also tells the truth about us: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Sin is not only “bad behaviour.” It is a turning away from God. It damages what is good, separates us from Him, and brings death into the world.
โ
Examples: Genesis 1:27 · Genesis 3 · Romans 3:23
Jesus Christ: Who He Is and What He Has Done
Christians believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God who became truly human.
โ
He came near to us. He lived without sin. He died on the cross for sinners. And He rose again in victory over sin and death.
Christian faith rests on who Jesus is and what He has done.
โ
Examples: John 1:14 · 2 Corinthians 5:21 · Romans 4:25
Salvation: Grace Received Through Faith
Christians believe we are not saved by effort, morality, religious performance, or trying to make ourselves acceptable to God.
We are saved by grace.
Grace means God gives what we could never earn.
This salvation is received through faith — trusting in Christ rather than trusting in ourselves.
Example: Ephesians 2:8–9
Repentance and Discipleship: The Life That Follows
True faith does not leave a person unchanged.
โ
The Bible calls us to repentance — turning from sin and turning back to God.
Following Jesus is not a one-time moment only. It is a daily walk of surrender, obedience, learning, and being shaped by Him.
Christians often call this sanctification: the lifelong work of God making us more like Christ.
Examples: Acts 2:38 · Mark 8:34
Union with Christ and New Life
The Bible often says believers are “in Christ.”
โ
This means a Christian is not simply trying to follow Jesus from a distance. Through faith, they are united to Him.
In Christ, believers are forgiven, made new, adopted into God’s family, given the Holy Spirit, and joined to the people of God.
Christianity is personal, but it was never meant to be private.
Example: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Scripture: Our Foundation
Christians receive the Scriptures as the Word of God.
โ
Through Scripture, we learn who God is, what He has done, what He has promised, and how we are called to live.
The Bible is not simply information about God. It is the foundation that shapes faith, worship, obedience, and life.
The Hope of Resurrection and the Coming Kingdom
Christians believe this world is not the end of the story.
โ
Jesus will return. The dead will be raised. Evil will not have the final word. God will renew all things.
The Christian hope does not end in death. It ends in resurrection, justice, restoration, and glory.
Example: Revelation 21:1–5
โ
These foundations are not just doctrines to memorise.
They are truths that shape how Christians worship, live, suffer, hope, forgive, serve, and follow Jesus.
To know them is to come nearer to the One who said:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
John 14:6
Everything begins with Him.
*Resource Disclaimer:
โ
The external books, podcasts, sermons, and other materials shared on this page are offered solely as suggestions and personal recommendations—resources we’ve found helpful in our own faith journey and believe may offer similar value to you.
Please note: Théologie Clothing does not claim ownership or authorship of any third-party content unless explicitly stated. Any original resources created by our team are clearly marked with our brand name and/or logo.
โ
We encourage you to explore these tools with prayer and discernment, always aligning what you learn with the truth of God’s Word.
If you're a content owner and have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us—we’re happy to connect.