By definition, someone who follows Jesus is a Christian. The word “Christian” comes from the word “Christ.” It is the Greek word Χριστός Christós, which occurs 531 times in the New Testament. It means the anointed one. Jesus is called the Christ in many places (Matthew 16:16, 20; 26:63-64; Mark 8:29; Acts 2:31. etc.) But, the word ‘Christian,’ Χριστιανός Christianós, only occurs three times. Since the Bible addresses the followers of Christ as Christians, it makes sense for us to do the same thing. Therefore, it would be difficult to understand why someone would want to follow Jesus but not be called a Christian. After all, Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, and the disciples referred to people as Christians.
- Acts 11:26, “and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year, they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
- Acts 26:28, “Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.'”
- 1 Peter 4:16, “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”
However, someone might wonder about the necessity of addressing themselves with the word ‘Christian.’ The Bible does not say is necessary to do that. But it does say that we should follow Jesus (John 10:27; 12:26), and since Jesus is the Christ, we say we are Christians. So, to ask if s it okay to follow Jesus but not be called a Christian just doesn’t fit the biblical narrative. However, technically speaking, a person could follow Jesus without calling himself or herself a Christian. You don’t have to use the word. But refusing to use it would tend to cause confusion and require clarification. After all, people know that Christians follow Jesus. So, why be confusing? Just call yourself a Christian, someone who follows Jesus.
