It's written in the Bible when and where the disciples were given that name. In Acts 11:26, believers in Jesus Christ were referred to as Christians. And, it wasn't given as a compliment, but as a harsh nickname.
Jesus referred to those who followed His teachings as His disciples, and gave the great commission to the twelve to go, and make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15).
What has happened during the 2000 years since Christ's time on earth has been nothing short of incredible. I use incredible for sheer lack of a better, more descriptive word - and it's not positive. But it bears my overall view of the blasphemous actions that have been perpetrated against human beings broadly, in the name of Christianity,and more specifically, in the name of Jesus for centuries.
Because of the vast discrepancies between what "Christians" do/have done and what the Bible actually teaches, I have struggled with whether or not to identify myself as a Christian. The teachings of Christ and what has been taught in the modern day church that bears His name, are far from each other. What I've discovered is, many people don't know this because they get all of their "Bible" from the pulpit.
I came to terms with not needing a label years ago and divorced myself from denominational-ism. Just couldn't find any one of the hundreds listed in Scripture. Instead, I focused on what Jesus said about the characteristics of His true church. And there are many references. One of my favorites is found in John 15. Jesus is the vine, and His believers, are the branches...and He has chosen us to bear good fruit...and we are to love one another! WOW! Further, through the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5, we are given the actual attributes of the fruit... the fruits of the Spirit (the Comforter who also teaches us and provides us with the power to do the will of God); verses 22-26 breaks it down:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (New International Version)
Focusing on what Jesus said, through the Holy Scriptures, has helped me move beyond traditions that have no meaning, and practices that do not demonstrate the Love of Christ. I have come to the conclusion, through my own study of the Word as I have sought the truth, in the face of all the falsehoods that are still being preached from pulpits - where congregations uphold and worship men and material goods and are encouraged to do so because they've been hypnotized into believing these "spiritual leaders" are appointed by God - that I'm simply a believer in Jesus the Christ who taught us to love one another.
So Christians don't necessarily have to love one another, or follow the teachings of love thy neighbor as themselves, or doing unto others as they would have others do unto them. Their actual origins are false. Man made. Or, at the very least, they have gone astray. But if anyone reading is interested, the good news is - it's not too late to get back on track.
If you're interested in following Christ, you will probably have to leave your comfort zone. And you MUST study for yourself, and pray for the Spirit of the Living God to guide you. You might be criticized, and worse. But that's how you'll absolutely know you're headed in the right direction.
But don't take my word for it. (John 15: 18-25)
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