What is A Christian

In today's world a Christian is anyone or denomination who chooses to be designated as one. All denominations tend to call themselves Christian. Of course most would hold the view there are true Christians and false Christians. In my view a Christian must be able to identify with the original church spiritually, doctrinally, and in some respect historically.

Historically we should be able to identify ourselves with the doctrines of the teachers in Antioch. We should be at least be grafted into their views of Christ.

The term Christian was first penned in Antioch. Probably a name the Holy Spirit gave through the prophets of the church in Antioch.

Act 11:26  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. 

Originally they were termed disciples, and we still should be disciples, but the Church at Antioch first carried the name. Since Apostles and prophets were there, Paul and Barnabas for a year and a half and later Peter, they carried the name without any disagreement over the designation. It likely was from the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Isaiah said we would be called by a new name the mouth of the Lord would give us. The names

Christian when speaking of individuals

Christians when speaking of a group

Church of Christ when speaking of an individual congregation

Churches of Christ when speaking of a group of congregations or as a whole

Church of God

Church of God in Christ

Assembly and church of the firstborn

These are all biblical designations we find in scripture. The names catholic, baptist, methodist etc are simply adjectives, as are many other names.

Christian church claims the new name from Isaiah is Buelah. Yet they wear the name Christian Church and no other name. So they deny others the right to wear biblical names apart from theirs. They deny there is a God given name.

Baptists have worn an unbiblical name using the defense against others that the name Church of Christ is not in the Bible. They are in the plural form. Yet, since not in a form they accept they use a wholly unbiblical designation. It is true the word Christian is never used of a congregation and Church of Christ is not in the bible,  I don't know their objection to using the singular form. Pharisaical word wrangling I guess.

Actually, the term Church of Christ is in singular form since a definite article proceeds it.

The churches of Christ salute you.

The definite article shows there is one group with a singular designation.

The word Christian actually comes from two words. "Those of Christ" or "followers of Christ". So, Churches of Christ matches. The difference between disciple of Christ and Christian is that one is a formal name given.

Acts 11:26 says disciples were called Christians, so that one is not a formal name. The Disciples of Christ bear no formal name.

Anyone coming forth from Christ spiritually and doctrinally are Christians. If you lack doctrinal integrity then you may not be. Christ is a vine and we are branches, so we have to connect to him spiritually and doctrinally.

One other mark of Christians is our name must be written in heaven.

Heb 12:23  To the general assemblyG3831 andG2532 churchG1577 of the firstborn,G4416 which are writtenG583 inG1722 heaven,G3772

This verse shows that it isn't enough that you recognize yourself as a Christian, but God must recognize us.