What Is a Christian?
A Sermon on Acts 24:14-16
Originally preached April 17, 1960
Scripture
14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall …
Sermon Description
Many in modern times say that Christianity is the kind of belief that is undefinable and unexplainable: it is not about propositions, but feelings. In this sermon on Acts 24:14–16 titled “What Is a Christian?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why this is the wrong conception of Christianity. The apostle Paul says that at the center of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ. Because Christianity is a religion based in God’s revelation, it is God who defines what it means to be a Christian. God has told that to be a Christian is not merely a subjective feeling, but it is a belief in the truth of the gospel. It is a belief that Jesus has died upon the cross for sinners, and rose from the dead so that all who repent of their sins and believe in Christ are forgiven of all their sins. This sermon contains the message that everyone needs to hear; it is the message that all can have peace with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the message that Christianity is about both subjective feelings and the objective news of what God has done. This gospel is truly good news for all sinners.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Acts 24:14-16 where Paul defends himself before Felix.
- Paul acknowledges that he belongs to the sect of the Nazarenes that worship God in a different way. He believes in the Law, Prophets and resurrection.
- Paul says Christianity is something that can be defined unlike what some claim today. It is not just a spirit or attitude.
- Paul believes in God, the God of the Old Testament who revealed himself to the patriarchs and gave the Law. God is to be worshipped and obeyed.
- The Law shows God's holy character and that He is judge. Sacrifices were required to atone for sin.
- The prophets taught the true meaning of the Law and spoke of the coming Messiah. Paul believes in this hope.
- Paul believes in the resurrection of the just and unjust. All will stand before God in judgment.
- Belief in God, the Law and Prophets is not enough to make one a Christian. One must believe in Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and hope in the Messiah. He is proven to be the Son of God by His resurrection.
- Jesus fulfilled the Law, dying as the sacrifice for sin. His resurrection proves sins are forgiven and one is justified.
- Paul preaches Jesus as the only Savior. Only through faith in Him can one be saved and reconciled to God.
- To be a Christian one must realize they are a sinner, unable to save themselves but that Christ died and rose again to save them. They must believe in Him.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Essential Christian Message?
What is Martyn Lloyd-Jones' main point about Christianity being a defined message rather than a vague attitude?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Christianity is something that can be clearly defined and circumscribed, not just a vague spirit or attitude that eludes definition. He points to the apostle Paul's own words where Paul acknowledges being part of "the sect of the Nazarenes" and following "the way which they call heresy." Lloyd-Jones argues against the modern notion that Christianity cannot be defined, saying, "The whole climate of opinion in the world today and less in the Christian church is to deny this very thing and is to say that Christianity is something that cannot be defined." He emphasizes that throughout church history, Christians have created creeds, confessions, and articles precisely to define what Christianity is and isn't.
What elements does Lloyd-Jones identify as the essential components of Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several essential components of Christianity through Paul's defense: 1) Belief in God who is to be worshipped, 2) Belief in "the God of my fathers" - the God revealed in the Old Testament who intervenes in human history, 3) Belief in all things written in the law and prophets, 4) Belief in the resurrection of both the just and unjust, and 5) Most crucially, belief in Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of all prophecies, the Messiah proven by His resurrection, and the only way of salvation.
According to Lloyd-Jones, how does someone become a Christian?
According to Lloyd-Jones, becoming a Christian goes beyond merely believing in God, the Ten Commandments, or even the resurrection. He states: "It means that you have left something else and have believed in him [Jesus] and have gone after him." One must "realize that you are a condemned and a hopeless sinner and that nothing you may ever do will ever save you. But that Christ, the Son of God, came into this world to die for you, to save you, to reconcile you to God." The proof of this salvation is Christ's resurrection. One must "believe on Jesus as the Son of God and one who died for you and your sins to reconcile you to God."
What significance does Lloyd-Jones place on the resurrection of Jesus?
Lloyd-Jones places central significance on the resurrection as the proof of Jesus' identity and the effectiveness of His work. He says the resurrection proves that Jesus is "the Messiah, the son of God." It demonstrates that God has accepted Christ's sacrifice for our sins: "delivered for our offenses, raised again for our justification." The resurrection confirms that "the law of God is answered, is satisfied" through Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the early apostles went around "preaching Jesus and the resurrection" as the core of their message.
How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish between Judaism and Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between Judaism and Christianity by pointing out that belief in God, the Ten Commandments, the Old Testament, and even the resurrection of the dead was common ground between Jews and Christians - this was Judaism. What separates Christianity is specifically belief in Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of all prophecies. He states: "They [the Jews] say he's [the Messiah] still to come. I [Paul] say he's come. Jesus the Nazarene, the Messiah long promised." Christians believe Jesus has already accomplished what Jews are still waiting for - the fulfillment of the law and the prophets through His death and resurrection.
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.