What does the Bible say about being a Christian?

How many times do you think the word "Christian" appears in the Bible?  Maybe 150, or 75? 
Guess again, lower.  How about 50?
Still lower.  20?
The word "Christian" actually only appears in the entire Bible only three times!

Acts 11:26b  The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 26:28  Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

1Pe 4:16  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

That's it.  The above three passages consitute the only references to the word "Christian" in the entire Bible.  It turns out that the original use of the word "Christian" was derogatory.  Jesus' followers were called "little Christs" as a way to mock them and their Lord Jesus.  Would anyone at work or school or in your neighborhood call you a "little Christ?"

     These passages don't shed much light on what it means to be a Christian.  If we want to know what the Bible has to say about being a Christian, we are given a clue in Acts 11 :26.  In that passage we are told that the "disciples were called Christians."  So, to learn more about what it means to be a Christian, we will have to take a look at what the Bible says about being a  "disciple."

     Join me next time as we look into what the Bible has to say about being a "disciple". 

I will post something every Wednesday and Sunday.