What is a Christian?
Sometimes people say that you’re a Christian if you grow up in church, or if your parents are Christians. Other people say that you’re a Christian if you live in England because it’s a Christian country. But growing up in church no more makes you a Christian than growing up in a Garage makes you a car!
‘Christian’ is the name given to followers of Jesus Christ. The early Christians were known as disciples. They were people who accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow him, to put him first above everything else in their lives, even if that meant making big sacrifices, such as earning less money or being pushed around for being a ‘Christian’.
As well as accepting Jesus’ invitation to follow him as chief (or Lord), Christians believe that Jesus is their Saviour (said ‘save – your’). This just means that they believe only Jesus has the power to change their lives for the better, helping them to get close to God and overcome the consequences of all the things we do wrong.
The Bible tells us that if we are a follower of Jesus then we are part of God’s family, we will begin to look more like him as we try to copy him (for example, in the way we treat one another) and that we don’t need to be afraid of anything, even dying (!) because Jesus has been there first and made a path for us to follow him.
The great news is that Jesus says anyone can be his follower, all you have to do is accept his invitation. Click here for more info