Was Abraham (Abram) a Christian?
Now that’s an interesting question!
You know the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26
Up until that time, the word did not exist but the meaning behind the word must have.
There are no Christians in the Old Testament and so Abram would not have been called by that name but Abram wasn’t called a Jew either.
He is known as Abram the Hebrew. Gen 14:13
The word Jew is only applied to one man in the OT; In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai (Est 2:5), though “Jews” is used quite a bit in the OT to describe the race of Hebrews.
Even today, many of the Jewish race that accept Jesus as Messiah will not go by the name “Christian” but are often referred to as Messianic Jews.
Though the Jews were well versed in scripture, it seems they’ve missed the meaning and fulfillment behind it.
And though the Christian gets the meaning and fulfillment, we are not as well versed in scripture.
We certainly don’t understand the base of OT just as much as the Jew doesn’t understand the NT, but to our credit we are able to see OT prophecy about Jesus clearer.
Did Paul consider himself a Christian?
He was there in Antioch when the word was used and still he said that he was of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin , a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Phil 3:5-7
In the KJV and NKJV, the word Christian is only used 3 times.
In the NLT it’s used almost 150.
It doesn’t matter if your called a Messianic Jew, a Christian, a follower of Christ, or whatever; if you know Jesus as your Savior/Messiah, then you belong to Him.
Abram may not have been called a Christian but he had the faith to be called a “the friend of God.” James 2:23
I hope I’m called the same.