I prefer to be called a “Christ follower”

A name is important

October 4, 2025

Are names and titles significant? Do they have power? Should we fight or die on a hill for the use or being called a name? Should the person speaking a word or calling a name to someone or about someone have any bearing on a reaction? Can it be good or detrimental to be associated with a name or title?

Are they significant? Yes, they can define a person or object. Do they have power: yes, they have power. According to scripture, they can build up and/or tear down people. Should we fight or die on a hill for a word or title? Yes and no. Yes, many of the believers in Jesus in the past have fought and lost their lives for not renouncing the name of Jesus or that He is Lord, King, and God. That is the only reason to stand firm and risk losing your life, if necessary.  Calling someone a negative name or saying something negative about a person only has a negative reaction if we allow it. Positive comments are always welcome! Finally, if you designate yourself with a particular group, party, association (etc.), it can definitely have an impact on what people think of you, negatively or positively. You can be held in disdain if there is a negative connotation to the group name, even if you are not a party to the negative or bad things that the group endorses. 

When we go to scripture, we find that the book of Proverbs describes the importance of the words we use, emphasizing that our words can bring life or death and should be used wisely to build others up. It contains many verses that highlight the power and impact of speech on ourselves and those around us. The books of Ephesians, James, Matthew, Hebrews, and others also give us descriptions of the power of words and how to use them. 

Where am I going with this information? Because the word “Christian” has been so diluted, it is becoming less significant, seemingly irrelevant, and does not hold the power and respect it used to have, secularly and even in the Christian community. I have decided to refer to myself as “a Christ follower.” The reason I am doing this is not because of the beliefs and words the secular community hurls at me, but because of the improper way multitudes of pastors, churches, denominations, and individuals use the word “Christian,” which their beliefs and lifestyles do not reflect the description of what a Christian is defined in scripture. There is also a negative connotation to the word “Christian” among many around the world.       

Brief history of the word “Christian.”

In the New Testament, believers never refer to themselves as “Christians”; rather, they use such terms as brethren (Acts 15:1; 1 Corinthians 16:20, NAS), disciples (Acts 11:26; 14:24, NKJV), and saints(Acts 9:13; 2 Corinthians 13:13, ESV). Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus sought out those “who belonged to the Way” (Acts 9:2), indicating that an early label for Christians could have been “people of the Way” (see also Acts 19:9; 24:22).

During this time, it was common for the Greeks to give satirical nicknames to particular groups. Both the Bible and history suggest that the term “Christian”was most likely meant as a mocking insult when it was first coined. Peter actually tells his readers not to be “ashamed” if they are called by that term (1 Peter 4:16). 

With that information, I don’t think it is improper to call myself “a Christ follower” instead of a Christian. Why am I doing this? The following comment is a good place to start: William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, said the chief danger of the 20^th century will be religion without the holy spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, Heaven without hell, a time when a watered-down gospel will produce a counterfeit Christianity. And Pastor Stone Owners states: “People have changed churches into markets, the altar into a stage, the service into a show, and preach to make money, but not to take away sins.” Investigate on your own and you will find out how true this statement is. We have name it and claim it, prosperity, social justice, and all types of false teachers and pastors are participating in and trying to claim they are Christian. All they are producing are insults to the great name of Jesus and demeaning all He commands of us.

According to AI Assist, “there are approximately 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide, reflecting a variety of beliefs and practices within Christianity.” And most of them have watered down, misinterpreted, and changed the basic core beliefs we need to follow to receive the undeserved grace of salvation.

Mainline pastors tell their flock things like: We are all little gods, we can heal ourselves if we have enough faith, name and claim what you want and deserve, God wants you to be rich, for a price, you can be taught to become a prophet or a healer, and the list goes on. Sadly, an unknown number of people believe, promote, and send their tithes to pastors who teach a false gospel. All the while, many mainline pastors who teach the truth of the real Gospel mostly stay quiet and dare not openly condemn, show scripture where His truth is being turned into lies, and call out pastors and denominations that are leading people directly to Hell.

And we can’t forget the Catholic Church. Their beliefs in praying to saints, that Mary is an intercessor to get to Jesus, Indulgences, and their belief in works salvation (to name a few of the direct violations of God’s COMMANDS) are just as damming as those taught by the Mormons, JW, and all the other varieties of near and far east religions. However, the Protestant denominations that claim to be teaching the true Gospel are silent when it comes to calling out the Catholics, but not the other denominations. 

On the world’s stage, I think the word “Christian” has lost its importance and relevance. And just as I am called not to follow false teachers, I also do not want to be thought of as being in a group thought to be Christian extremists, charlatans, and so-called believers that can’t even agree on which Gospel is correct.  So, from now on, I am just a Christ follower.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN

“A Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings, striving to reflect His character in their life. This faith involves a personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to live according to His principles as outlined in the Bible.” Christianity.org. Sadly, many pastors have decided to water down, ignore, and not even preach on the above principles of how a “Christian” is supposed to live.