What is a Christian? Bunyan, in his Pilgrim's Progress, simply defines, and in descriptive imagery depicts the path and progress of a Christian.
1. An awakened Sinner. A Christian is one who has been convinced of his sinfulness and guilt as a sinner before God, as seen in the burden on Christian's back (Psa 38:4).
2. A trustful Man. A Christian is one who has come to the Saviour, as pictured in Christian coming up to the wicket gate, and entering into the path that leads therefrom (Mat 11:28).
3. A righteous one. A Christian is one who is clothed with the garment of righteousness, as we see in Christian being clothed at the cross (2Cr 5:21).
4. An earnest Worker. A Christian is one who is concerned about the welfare of others, as illustrated in Christian going up to, and seeking to arouse Simple, Sloth, and Presumption (Jud 1:23).
5. A communing Companion. A Christian is one who companions with the people of God. Talkative and Ignorance can have no fellowship with Christian, but Faithful and Hopeful are his fast friends (1Jo 3:14).
6. A dominated Believer. A Christian is one who is controlled by the Word of God, as seen in Christian consulting his roll. A true Christian receives the whole of the Bible as God's Word, and dares not utter such blasphemy as a Free Church Professor has recently done. He says: "A man may be a true (?) Christian (?) and yet find much in the Bible which he cannot accept." Rev 22:19 is the direct contradiction to this, for what is said there may be applied to all Scripture (2Ti 3:16-17).
7. A persevering Saint. A Christian is one who continues in the way of holiness, as illustrated in the perseverance of Christian. Lions may frighten him; Doubt may lead him into captivity; and Flattery ensnare him, but he keeps on (Jhn 8:31).
8. A confessing Pilgrim. A Christian is one who confesses that he is a pilgrim and stranger, as depicted in Christian and Faithful passing through Vanity Fair (Hbr 11:13).
9. A courageous Traveller. A Christian is one who courageously pushes on his way amidst surrounding difficulties, as illustrated in Christian passing through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psa 23:4).
10. A conquering Soldier. A Christian is one who conquers his enemies, as seen in the fight of Christian with Apollyon (1Jo 5:18).
11. An expectant Contemplator. A Christian is one who contemplates with delight the prospect of heaven's glory, as represented in the pilgrims on the Delectable Mountains (Jud 1:21, 24).
We have thus in the book that has been said "to be next to the Bible," and next to it because so full of it, a most exhaustive and extensive description of what a Christian is.