This is a fascinating question that many people have wondered about. To answer it, we need to look at what the Bible says about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian.
Jesus’ Identity According to the Bible
The Bible presents Jesus as the divine Son of God who took on human form. He is the second person of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14). Jesus existed eternally with the Father and the Spirit. At a point in time, He took on human flesh and was born into this world through the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). SoJesus pre-existed his earthly life and incarnation. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), affirming His eternal nature.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus affirms His divinity and oneness with the Father. He says in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” He claims to have authority to forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24). He receives worship, which is reserved only for God (Matthew 14:33). He calls Himself the good shepherd (John 10:11), the bread of life (John 6:35), the light of the world (John 8:12), and more “I am” statements that equate Himself with Yahweh God. Jesus clearly saw Himself as divine and presented Himself as God incarnate.
After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus affirms His deity and eternality again. He proclaims, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:17-18). The title “First and Last” comes from the Old Testament description of Yahweh in Isaiah 44:6. Jesus claims this title for Himself, unequivocally declaring His divinity.
So according to the Bible, Jesus is the eternal God the Son who took on human form at a point in time. He lived a sinless life, died to pay for our sins, and rose victorious from the grave. Jesus is unique in His nature as fully God and fully human.
What Does it Mean to be a Christian?
A Christian is a person who believes in, follows, and has placed their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The term “Christian” originated in the city of Antioch very early in the life of the church (Acts 11:26). It refers to a disciple and follower of Christ.
There are several key aspects to being a Christian:
- Acknowledging Jesus as God – Fully divine and source of all creation. Lord of all (Philippians 2:9-11).
- Believing Jesus died for our sins and rose again – Faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross and victorious resurrection, the basis of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
- Repenting of sin – Turning away from sin, confessing and repenting (Acts 3:19).
- Receiving Christ as Savior and Lord – By faith inviting Jesus into your life and submitting to Him (John 1:12, Romans 10:9).
- Relying on the work of the Holy Spirit – The Spirit regenerates, indwells, guides, convicts, and produces fruit in the believer (John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:22-23).
- Living a transformed, Christ-centered life – A new way of life, increasingly obedient to God’s word (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:2).
A Christian is someone who has entered into the New Covenant relationship with God through faith in the atoning work of Christ. They have switched allegiance from self and sin to God. This faith and repentance results in a life submitted to Jesus’ authority and teachings.
Was Jesus a Christian During His Earthly Life and Ministry?
When we look at what it means to be a Christian – a follower of Christ who has been saved and transformed by His life, death, and resurrection – then we must conclude that Jesus was not “a Christian” during His earthly ministry. Here are several reasons why:
- Jesus stated He is the Christ – In John 4:25-26, Jesus affirms that He is the Messiah. The Christ or Messiah is the object of Christian faith, not the follower.
- Jesus received worship – As already mentioned, He received worship reserved for God alone (Matthew 14:33). This indicates His divinity.
- Jesus forgave sins – He did what only God can do, demonstrating His divine authority (Luke 5:20-24).
- Jesus said He alone is the way to the Father – He makes an exclusive claim that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus doesn’t talk about believing in Himself.
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit – John 15:26 makes clear Jesus sends the Spirit. God the Son sent the Spirit to indwell believers. The Spirit glorifies Jesus.
- Salvation was not yet accomplished – Christians look back on Christ’s finished work. But He had not yet gone to the cross and resurrected.
- The church did not yet exist – The Messiah had to die and rise again first, launching the Church at Pentecost (Acts 2).
Given who Jesus claimed to be and what He accomplished, it is clear that He was not “a Christian” in the sense we understand it. He is the Son of God – divine, uncreated, eternal – who took on flesh. The Messiah and Savior. The second person of the Trinity who launched the Church through His redemptive work.
Was Jesus Ever Called a Christian in Scripture?
There are only three occurrences of the term “Christian” in the New Testament – Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. Nowhere is Jesus personally called a Christian. Let’s look briefly at these passages:
- Acts 11:26 – Disciples first called Christians at Antioch.
- Acts 26:28 – King Agrippa says to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” He is responding to Paul’s testimony about Jesus.
- 1 Peter 4:16 – Peter writes to suffering Christians not to be ashamed to suffer as a “Christian.”
In none of these verses do we see Jesus called a Christian. The term always refers to the followers of Christ, not Christ Himself. The Bible never applies the term Christian to Jesus. Scripture presents Him as the Christ – the object of Christian faith and obedience.
Did Jesus’ Followers Call Themselves Christians?
Jesus’ original disciples and apostles did not go around calling themselves Christians. They are never termed Christians in Scripture. Here are some of the ways they identify themselves:
- Disciples – Those who followed Jesus as disciples (Luke 6:13).
- Believers – Those who believed Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:14).
- Saints – Meaning “set apart ones” or holy people (Romans 1:7).
- Brethren – Refers to the family of those in Christ (Acts 1:15).
- The Way – Description of the early church’s faith in Christ (Acts 9:2).
- Christians – Finally used to describe disciples of Jesus at Antioch (Acts 11:26).
The original apostles viewed themselves as followers of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Over time, the name “Christian” came into use to designate adherents to the Christian faith. But this name was originally applied by outsiders, not Jesus’ disciples themselves.
Why is This Important?
Understanding the distinction between Jesus as the Christ and His followers as Christians is important for several reasons:
- Prevents confusion over Jesus’ identity – Jesus is fully divine as God the Son. Calling Him a Christian could wrongly imply He is only human.
- Upholds biblical accuracy – The Bible itself never equates Jesus with being a Christian. We should maintain this distinction.
- Clarifies the object of our faith – Christians place faith in Jesus, who He is and what He accomplished for salvation.
- Guards against mistaken beliefs – Jesus was not just another prophet or mystic, but God in human flesh as the Messiah.
- Highlights the Lordship of Jesus – Christians submit fully to Jesus’ authority. He is Lord, we are His servants and disciples.
Carefully delineating Jesus’ identity from His followers upholds Scriptural truth and helps avoid wrong ideas about who Christ is and what the Christian faith teaches. Jesus is the divine Savior, Lord, and object of Christian belief. His followers are called Christians as adherents of the faith He inaugurated.
Conclusion
In summary – Was Jesus a Christian? No. Based on what the title Christ/Messiah signifies and what the Bible teaches, Jesus was not a “Christian” during His earthly life and ministry. The term Christian refers to a follower of Jesus, not Jesus Himself. Scripture presents Him as the eternal God the Son incarnate – the Christ and promised Savior of the world. Jesus wasn’t a Christian, but the founder and object of the Christian faith. I hope this overview helps explain what the Bible teaches about this fascinating question.