Am I A Christian?
Relatively few people are in a position to answer the above question. You cannot answer this question unless you know what it takes to become a Christian. It will do no good to ask MAN what to do to become a Christian. The answers would vary with the different individuals asked. The Way of the Lord is NOT in Man. "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps . . ." (Jer. 10:23) "There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death . . . (Prov. 16:25) We must, therefore, turn to the scriptures for the answer.
This calls to mind a story about Abraham Lincoln Mr. Lincoln insisted on fact when a case was being presented to him. One day a committee waited on him, setting forth a matter of public concern. Their case was built largely on "supposings". Mr. Lincoln asked them, "How many legs would a sheep have if you called its tail a leg." "Five", was the prompt reply. "That's what I thought you would say, but it isn't true. The sheep would have only four legs. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one".
And calling a sinner a Christian doesn't make him one, either. Are YOU truly a Christian? To help you answer this question please consider the following.
To whom did God promise the NEW and EVERLASTING name? Turn to Isa. 56:5, "Even unto them will I give in mine house . . . . a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give THEM an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." Now, we must determine just what the "house" of God is, since those IN it are to be given the "everlasting name". The apostle Paul, by inspiration states that "the house of God, which is the church of the living God . . ." (1 Tim. 3:15) Yes, the "house of God" is the CHURCH. Those in the "house of God" are in the church. Now, if we can ascertain who is in the church we will have answered the question, "Who is a Christian". In Acts the second chapter we read of some people being "added" to the church (verse 47) and (verse 41). But WHO was added? Let us see.
In verse 37, they ask the question, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The apostle Peter answered, "Repent, .and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost". (Acts. 2:38) In verse 41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." From this we learn that people who BELIEVED in Jesus Christ were told to REPENT and BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. Those who gladly received this word were baptized. And those who did this were ADDED. Verse 47 tells us that such were added to the church. We read in (Acts. 11:26) that members of the church were first called Christians in Antioch. Therefore, those who believed in Christ, repented and were baptized for the remission of sins can scripturally be called Christians. Those who have failed to do so cannot scripturally be called Christians.
Now you are in a position to answer the question, "Am I a Christian?" Each one of you know within your own heart whether you have submitted to these commands of God. If you have then you are a Christian. If you have NOT submitted to these commands of God, then you are NOT a Christian.