ARE THEY CHRISTIANS
WHO NO LONGER FOLLOW CHRIST?

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

In Acts 11:26 Luke informs us that the disciples of Jesus were called Christians for the first time in Antioch. We see no other group of people who were called such. We see only disciples of the Lord classified as Christians. The term "Christian" means "an adherent to Christ; a follower of Christ." So what does it mean to follow Christ? According to John 8:31, one needs to abide in His word. That is, one must do what Jesus has instructed and adhere to it (Matt. 28:20). To be a follower of Christ, one must put the Lord first (Luke 14:26). A Christian does not have misplaced priorities (Luke 14:33). He is one who has the proper focus with Jesus as Lord in his life. A Christian is one who endures, makes sacrifices and is willing to be burdened with that which is placed upon him for the cause of Christ (Luke 14:27). In all these passages we can see that only disciples of Jesus are Christians. A disciple is one who imitates his teacher. Jesus said in John 13:13-15, "You call me teacher and Lord, and you say well, For so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given an example that you should do as I have done to you." Jesus expected His disciples to follow his example of service and duty. He wanted them to imitate him by adhering to His word.

How are we to classify those who, after becoming Christians, are no longer abiding in the Word of Christ? Are they still Christians? 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 says, "If anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." F.F. Bruce gives the following comments on this passage: "The withholding of fellowship is designed to bring the offender to a better frame of mind, to make him realize that his conduct is unworthy of the name of Christ." Some brethren can conduct themselves in such a way as to forfeit the name of Christ (Christian). Though they are noted and out of fellowship, there is to be continued admonishment as long as there is hope. They are to be admonished as a brother and not as an enemy. Let me offer an interpretation of this verse. Though they are no longer wearing the name of Christ, they are not as those who never obeyed the gospel. It would actually be worse for those who obeyed the gospel and fell away than those who never obeyed the gospel (2 Pet. 2:20-22). Therefore, the admonishment would be different for the one who has obeyed the gospel than for the alien sinner. Nonetheless, until he repents he is no longer in fellowship with Christ and is no longer a Christian. We see another case of noting or withdrawing fellowship in 1 Corinthians 5. Because this man was not abiding in the will of Christ he was to be delivered to Satan. One cannot be a follower of Christ and a follower of Satan. Mike Willis in his commentary on 1^st Corinthians takes "the view that recognizes the church as the kingdom or domain of Christ and the unchristian world as the domain of Satan." He goes on to say, "To hand over to Satan means to remove the person from the domain of Christ and give him to Satan." I whole-heartedly concur with this interpretation. Thus, the one from whom fellowship is withdrawn is a "brother" so called (1 Cor. 5:11). He is no longer a follower of Christ.

Let me say a word about some of the phrases some brethren use in order to categorize certain Christians. They use such qualifying phrases as "faithful Christians" or "unfaithful Christians." To be a follower of Christ, one must be faithful in carrying out Christ's Word (see Luke 12:42-48). He must be one who walks in the light (1 John 1:7). Though he may err from time to time, as long as he is walking in the light, he has a promise from God to enjoy continued fellowship with Him. This leads me to another classification that is made: "erring Christians." Show me a Christians who does not err (1 John. 1:8-10). These phrases are used to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. Those who are faithful are those who are following Christ, while those who are unfaithful are not following Christ. To say someone is an "unfaithful Christians" is to use an oxymoron. As I understand the Scriptures, there is no such thing as an "unfaithful Christians." You are either a Christian or you are not. Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters" (Luke 11:23).

Let us learn to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11), by calling things as they really are. Only those who do the will of Christ, abide in His word, and follow Him, can lay any claim to His name. Only those who are disciples of Jesus are able to where His name.