How do you identify a Christian? In the Bible, the first time the term “Christian” is used is found in Acts 11:26. Here, we see that it is the disciples of Jesus who were given this title. A disciple is a student or follower of another. So, a Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ.
Today, there are many people who claim to be followers of Jesus but teach many different things. Are they all Christians? Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed this about those who would believe in Him, “…that they all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21). Here, we learn two things. The disciples of Jesus must be united, and that unity must be in Christ Jesus.
What does it mean to be “in Christ”? According to Romans 8:1, being in Christ Jesus means you have “no condemnation.” In Romans 12:5, being in Christ means that you are part of the “one body.” In Ephesians 2:13, if you are in Christ Jesus, then you “…have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” So, someone who is “in Christ” is someone who is saved from condemnation, is a member of the one body (or church), and has gained admittance by the blood of Jesus. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:9-10).
This next question is very important. How, then, do we get in Him? Look at the next two verses in Colossians 2. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands…” How? “…by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh….” How? “…by the circumcision of Christ…” What is that? “…buried with Him in baptism…” How does baptism do that? “…in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:11-12).
In order to be “in Christ,” you must be brought into Christ. This passage shows us that this only happens in baptism. Throughout the New Testament, we are commanded to be baptized (cf. Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21). It is not a work of man, but as Colossians shows us, it is the working of God.
So, who is a Christian? If you were never baptized into Christ, then you cannot be in Christ. If you are not in Christ, then you were never saved, and you cannot be a member of His church because you never gained admittance by the blood of Jesus. Your salvation is incomplete. A Christian is a disciple of Christ. That means that you follow His teachings. Have you followed Christ into the saving waters of baptism?