What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?

The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883)

The term “Christian” first appeared in Antioch, as recorded in Acts 11:26 (NKJV): “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” This label was not merely a name but a profound commitment to follow Christ, often at great personal sacrifice. Jesus Himself described the demands of discipleship in Matthew 10:37–39 (NKJV): “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Similar calls to discipleship appear in Matthew 16:24–27, Mark 8:34–38, and Luke 9:23–26 (NKJV), emphasizing self-denial, carrying one’s cross daily, and the futility of gaining the world at the expense of one’s soul.

Being unashamed of the Gospel, as urged in 2 Timothy 1:8–12 (NKJV), involves sharing in sufferings for Christ’s sake, rooted in a holy calling by grace. Paul warns of “enemies of the cross” in Philippians 3:18–19 (NKJV): “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” This contrasts with the call in Colossians 3:1–3 and 1 John 2:15–17 (NKJV) to set minds on heavenly things, rejecting worldly lusts. True kinship with Christ, per Matthew 12:48–50 (NKJV), comes from doing God’s will, and John 12:24–26 (NKJV) likens discipleship to a grain of wheat dying to bear fruit, hating one’s life in this world for eternal reward.

These scriptures portray Christianity as a radical, sacrificial way of life—far from superficial religiosity. Jesus condemned hypocritical leaders as “whitewashed tombs” full of dead men’s bones (Matthew 23:27, NKJV), who sought human praise rather than divine obedience. In the early Church, this call was embodied by leaders who were direct disciples of the apostles or their successors, enduring brutal persecutions. Below, we examine six such figures, highlighting their faithfulness in action amid suffering, then contrast this with modern expressions of Christianity that often prioritize spectacle over substance.

Early Church Leaders: Exemplars of Sacrificial Faith

These individuals, connected through apostolic succession, exemplified Christianity through endurance, leadership, and martyrdom. Their lives embody the biblical call to lose one’s life for Christ’s sake.

Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD)

A disciple of John the Apostle, Ignatius served as Bishop of Antioch, succeeding Evodius under Peter’s guidance. He championed church unity and coined “Catholic” for the universal Church. Condemned for his faith, Ignatius endured a grueling journey in chains to Rome, guarded by ten soldiers he called “leopards.” In his letters, he yearned for martyrdom: “I am God’s wheat, and the teeth of wild beasts grind me, that I may be found pure bread of Christ.” Devoured in the Colosseum, his remains returned to Antioch, reflecting his fearless prioritization of Christ over earthly ties.

Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–155 AD)

Ordained Bishop of Smyrna by John the Apostle, Polycarp upheld orthodox teachings and mediated disputes, like Easter’s observance during a Rome visit. At 86, amidst Roman persecutions, he refused to offer incense to the emperor: “Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong.” Burned at the stake, untouched by flames, he was stabbed, his bones venerated as relics. Polycarp’s steadfastness embodied denying self and carrying the cross daily, bearing spiritual fruit through death.

Clement of Rome (c. 35–99 AD)

Possibly the Clement of Philippians 4:3, mentored by Peter and Paul, he became Bishop of Rome around 92 AD. His epistle to Corinth urged obedience to presbyters, asserting apostolic authority. Exiled to a Chersonesus quarry under Domitian and Trajan’s persecutions, Clement miraculously provided water, sparking conversions but inviting punishment. Tradition holds that he was drowned with an anchor. His leadership amid Nero’s fire and later trials showed a heavenly focus, not worldly glory.

Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD)

After exploring philosophy, Justin embraced apostolic teachings via the Gospels, founding a Rome school and defending Christianity as true philosophy. Denounced by Cynic Crescens, he faced trial under Junius Rusticus, refusing pagan sacrifices and embracing torture for Christ. Scourged and beheaded with companions, his martyrdom glorified God. Justin’s bold witness reflected unashamed devotion to the Gospel, choosing suffering over earthly fame.

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD)

Trained by Polycarp, Irenaeus became Bishop of Lyons after Pothinus’s martyrdom. His Against Heresies combated Gnosticism, upholding Scripture and tradition. Surviving Marcus Aurelius’s Lyon persecution, he led amid clergy losses and mediated Easter disputes. Likely martyred around 202 AD, buried in Lyons, his era’s violence suggests suffering. Irenaeus’s orthodoxy mirrored setting minds above, fighting worldly heresies with apostolic fidelity.

Cyprian of Carthage (c. 210–258 AD)

Influenced by Tertullian, Cyprian converted around 245 AD and became Bishop of Carthage in 249. Navigating Decian and Valerian persecutions, he guided remotely during exile, managing “lapsi” readmissions through penance. Banished to Curubis in 257, then imprisoned, he refused pagan sacrifices and was beheaded publicly in 258, drawing crowds. Cyprian’s endurance amid schisms and plagues showed love for eternal honor over worldly life.

Contrast with Modern “U.S. Weak Religious Christianity”

These early leaders lived according to Scripture: sacrificing family comforts (Ignatius’s chains over home), risking their lives for Christ (Polycarp’s stake), and facing unashamed suffering (Justin’s beheading). Their faith was action—leading during danger, not showboating. They embodied Jesus’ call to carry their cross and lay down their lives, not bowing to the god of mammon. They chose to suffer loss of life, reputation, and possessions for the glory and praise of God, rather than seeking human acclaim.

Today in the United States, the term “Christian” is often tossed around like a hamburger flipped on the grill. Some expressions of Christianity resemble the “whitewashed tombs” Jesus decried: grandstanding opportunists who flaunt faith for personal profit and political power.

This performative faith extends to politics, where self-proclaimed Christian leaders chant “pro-life, pro-family, pro-God” slogans and stage pro-prayer stunts—holding the Senate floor for marathon readings or posing for cameras in theatrical displays—while posting “thoughts and prayers” on social media after tragedies, yet failing to act for the living. For instance, while Senator Chuck Grassley fought tirelessly for whistleblowers, securing a victory for the FBI Suspendables with their cases resolved in August 2025, no other member of the Legislative Branch has championed whistleblowers, and broader congressional inaction persists on other fronts.

Despite vocal support from some Republicans—such as Marjorie Taylor Greene visiting J6 detainees and calling for their release, or others advocating for pardons granted by President Trump in January 2025—most members of Congress and Senators did little to support these persecuted patriots. Similarly, U.S. military personnel discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusals faced career ruin with minimal congressional assistance. Some politicians wear their pro-life stance like a righteous robe, calling for the protection of the unborn, yet fail to help those outside the womb—like whistleblowers, J6 patriots, and COVID-19 persecuted service members. For many, the Christian label seems more about posturing for power, cheapening the Gospel’s call to sacrifice. Christians today are called to reject this hypocrisy and stand boldly for justice, as the Scriptures require and the early Church Fathers embodied at great peril.

Conclusion

The early Church Fathers remind us that true Christianity demands sacrifice, not showmanship. Their legacy reveals that being a Christian is not merely a name or an identification but a bold commitment to embody Christ’s call to carry our cross, even at the cost of persecution. They challenge believers to live out Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection through courageous action—defending the persecuted and seeking God’s glory above all. Let us honor Jesus Christ and the faith of these Church leaders by rejecting hollow religiosity and embracing costly discipleship, ensuring the Gospel shines brightly in a world yearning for authentic witness.