"Christian"
Long before Christianity became an official religion with adherents that bear its name, it was a social-spiritual movement initiated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A Christian is not a person who has merely assented to a series of theological facts about Jesus in order to “follow” Him. A Christian is a human being who has received the anointing of the Holy Spirit by submitting their life to the authority and power of the risen Christ. By doing so, a Christian steps into unlimited possibility and potential, and assumes the spiritual offices of prophet, priest, and king.
“Christian” is a title, appearing only three times in the entire Bible (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). This term began its life by referring to followers of Jesus who were transforming the world by advancing His gospel - the forgiveness of sins and the coming of the kingdom of heaven (Acts 17:6). Jesus did not come to forgive sins alone, but to inaugurate a new humanity through spiritual rebirth (Ephesians 2:5; John 3:5). These “new humans” would walk in relationship and intimacy with God, thus enabling Jesus to continue His work on earth after His ascension. The Holy Spirit, Jesus’ personal, empowering presence enabled (and continues to enable) Jesus’ followers to advance His kingdom in word and deed.
The term literally means “Christ one” or “little Christ”. “Christ” means “anointed one.” It may surprise you to read that Jesus Christ was not the first Christ-the prophets, priests, and kings of the Old Testament were Christs in that they were anointed for leadership over Israel and answerable to God alone. Jesus is the Christ because He is the Sovereign God, but not the first Christ. Part of His goal in taking on human flesh and atoning for humanity’s sin was to create a kingdom of Christs.
When we submit to the lordship of Jesus and turn our spiritual eyes toward Him, we step into our new humanity and the spiritual offices inherent to this new humanity. We become “born again.” We awaken to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us without measure. We become empowered to fulfill our God-given purpose and calling. God has the absolute best possible version of life for us to live on this earth (Ephesians 3:20).
This understanding is so important because life as a “Christian” has devolved to mean simply attending church on Sunday and following Jesus by reading the Bible from time to time. There is nothing wrong with these activities, but without a theological paradigm for supernatural identity, purpose, and power, the Church will remain weak. Growing in “faith” will continue to mean learning facts about the Bible, rather than experiencing its Author.
Christianity is radical. Not in the sense that we must evangelize everyone we see and give up our jobs for missionary work in Botswana, but radical in its promises. All believers have direct, total access to the same Jesus who walked the earth 2000 years ago. All can talk with the Lord, all can perform signs and wonders, and all can experience the love and power of the Creator Himself. We have been called into a lifestyle of power, purpose and destiny. We have been given a mission, and we are never alone in accomplishing it. Jesus is with always with us.
There will come a day when those still trapped in darkness will want to become Christians. The world will not see us as sorry people caught in monotonous religion, but as “Christ-ones,” a new humanity bursting with the resurrection life and supernatural zest of Jesus. Church gatherings will become magnetic, and the need for “seeker friendly” services will vanish. We will no longer feel compelled to argue anyone into the kingdom. Our personal and corporate lifestyles, complete with joy, peace, health, and prosperity, will become the greatest form of evangelism. The nations themselves will stream to this radiant light of Jesus (Isaiah 2:2).
