Definition of Christian

Acts 11:26 states, “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’” The followers of the “sect of the Nazarene” (Acts 24:6) needed to be labeled by the world. The title was not a complement.

The title is derived from the Greek word “Christós” meaning “anointed one.” Jesus was the one anointed by God as the Messiah. The suffix -ανός, means “belonging to.” It is added to Christos to complete the word for Christian. A Christian is one who “belongs to” or is “the possession of” Christ. A Christian was literally “a slave of Christ.”

Slaves were of a lower social status than free men. So, in the eyes of the world, being called a “slave of Christ” was an insult. You were a slave to a man who was crucified for insurrection and blasphemy.

Among themselves, slaves determined their social status by who was their master. Being a slave to Ceasar was more honorable than to be a slave to someone of no position in the Roman empire.

It was an inexpressible honor to be a slave to the God of all creation and the Savior of the world! Christians took what was intended as an insult and heard it as the greatest complement.

As Christians we understand that the choice in life is not freedom vs. slavery, but to whom we are going to be a slave.

Unbelievers do not see themselves as slaves. However, Jesus proclaimed, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” John 8:34). False teachers were “promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption” (2 Peter 2:19).

Paul explained, “you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Romans 6:16) Further, “thanks be to God that you who were slaves of sin have become obedient…having been set free from sin, have become enslaved to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

Paul encourages us to choose wisely, “just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, leading to even more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification” (Romans 6:19).

Finally, our choice has consequences. “When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. So what fruit did you then gain from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the fruit you have leads to sanctification, and the end is eternal life” (Romans 6:20-22).

Our relationship with God is expressed through a variety of terms. In addition to being His slaves we are His children (1 John 3:1), His friends (John 15:15) and collectively we are His body (1 Corinthians 12:27), His church (Acts 14:27) and His bride (Revelation 21:2).

All of these relationships start with acknowledging Him as our Lord. Therefore, slavery is the ultimate gateway to our freedom.