Who Are Christians? — A Dissection of Alma 46:15
Alma 46:15
“And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.”
1. Faithful
What Does It Mean for Us to Be “Faithful”?
Why this word matters
Alma uses faithful as the first marker of Christian identity. Before titles, covenants, or outward signs, he names the inward condition of our hearts. Being faithful is not merely believing in Christ—it is believing Him, trusting Him, and remaining loyal to Him in the covenant we have made.
Alma’s wording teaches us that Christian identity begins inside us before it is ever seen outside us.
Principle 1
Faithful the Principle Within Itself
Scripture Witnesses:
Luke 16:10
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
D&C 52:13
"And behold, he that is faithful shall be made ruler over many things."
Being faithful is the inner spiritual posture that shapes everything else we do as disciples. It is the quiet, steady orientation of our souls toward Jesus Christ. When we are faithful:
- We anchor our identity in Him rather than in circumstance.
- We choose trust over fear, obedience over convenience, and devotion over distraction.
- We let His character form our character, His priorities shape our priorities, and His promises steady our steps.
Faithfulness is the soil in which discipleship grows. Without it, nothing else in the verse can stand.
Faithfulness as the Foundation of Our Discipleship
Closing Summary: Topical Guide list Faithful
As we gather all these teachings together, we see that faithfulness is far more than a single virtue—it is the spiritual condition that prepares us for celestial life. Every scripture in the Lord’s word, from ancient prophets to the revelations of the Restoration, shows us that God forms, refines, protects, and ultimately exalts those who are faithful. We learn that faithfulness begins in the quiet places of our hearts, where we anchor our identity in Jesus Christ and choose trust, obedience, and devotion even in the smallest things. We learn that faithfulness grows as we hold fast to His word, endure tribulation with hope, and steward every gift He places in our hands. And we learn that faithfulness is perfected as we mirror the character of Christ Himself—the Faithful and True—until His promises shape our nature and His image is written upon our countenance.
Together, these witnesses teach us that faithfulness is not merely a requirement; it is the pathway by which we become more like Him. It is the soil in which discipleship grows, the measure by which heaven trusts us, and the covenant identity through which we are prepared for celestial glory. When we choose to be faithful—in little things, in great things, and in all things—we step into the life Christ offers us, becoming the kind of disciples who can stand with Him, serve with Him, and ultimately live with Him in the world to come.
Principle 2
Loyalty
Scripture Witness:
Joshua 24:15
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Loyalty is faithfulness expressed in covenant action. It is how we show Christ—and ourselves—that we truly belong to Him. Loyalty means:
- We stand with Christ even when culture shifts.
- We keep our covenants even when it costs us something.
- We remain true to Him when pressures, temptations, or trials try to pull us away.
Loyalty is the outward evidence of an inward faithfulness. It is how we live as His people, not just call ourselves His people.
Loyalty as Covenant Action in Our Celestial Growth
Closing Summary: Topical Guide list Loyalty
As we gather the witness of all these scriptures, we see that loyalty is the living expression of our covenant with Jesus Christ. From Abraham on the altar to Joshua declaring his household’s devotion, from Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Paul’s boldness in the gospel, from Nephi’s obedience to Joseph Smith’s refusal to deny his vision—every passage teaches us that loyalty is the way we act on our faith. It is how we choose Christ when the path is costly, how we stand with Him when pressures rise, and how we remain true when the world pulls in other directions.
These scriptures show us that loyalty is not passive. It is a decision we make again and again: to keep the way of the Lord, to serve Him with our whole house, to go where He sends us, to not rebel against His word, to defend truth, to sustain righteous order, and to obey even when we do not yet understand. Loyalty is the outward evidence that our hearts belong to Him.
This same principle stands at the center of the Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program 12-Step Recovery Guide, where repentance is described as a turning of the heart and will toward God. In recovery, loyalty becomes the daily choice to surrender our old patterns, to walk away from the things that enslave us, and to follow Christ with integrity and courage. Repentance is loyalty in motion—our willingness to change, to obey, and to trust His power more than our own.
Together, these scriptures teach us that loyalty is how we live our covenants with strength. It is how we show Christ—and ourselves—that we are truly His. And as we practice loyalty in small things and great things, we grow into the celestial character He is shaping within us, becoming a people who not only believe in Christ but stand with Him, walk with Him, and serve Him with unwavering devotion.
2. Took Upon
What Does It Mean That We “Take Upon” Us His Name?
Why this phrase matters
Alma says we gladly take upon us the name of Christ. This is not passive. It is deliberate, chosen, covenantal. It means we willingly bind our identity to His identity.
To “take upon” is to accept responsibility, representation, and relationship.
Principle
Taking the Name of Jesus Christ
Scripture Witnesses:
- 2 Nephi 31:13 — “take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism.”
- Mosiah 5:11 — “this is the name that I said I should give.”
- Mosiah 18:10 — “baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness.”
- 3 Nephi 27:5 — “take upon you the name of Christ.”
- D&C 18:21 — “Take upon you the name of Christ.”
- D&C 18:24 — “all men must take upon them the name.”
- Moroni 4:3 — “willing to take upon them the name of thy Son.”
Taking His name is the covenant act that transforms us from believers into disciples. When we take His name:
- We accept His mission as our mission.
- We represent Him in our words, our choices, and our relationships.
- We allow His grace to shape our nature so that His image is written in our countenance.
- We declare to heaven and earth that we belong to Him and He belongs to us.
Taking His name is not symbolic—it is identity-forming. It is the covenant through which we become His people.
Taking His Name as Our Covenant Identity
Closing Summary: Topical Guide list Taking the Name of Jesus Christ
When we gather all these witnesses together, we see that taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ is one of the most sacred and defining acts of our discipleship. Alma teaches that we do this gladly, because taking His name is not passive—it is deliberate, chosen, and covenantal. It is the moment when we bind our identity to His identity and step into a life shaped by His mission, His mercy, and His power.
The scriptures show us that taking His name begins at baptism, where we witness our willingness to follow Him (2 Nephi 31:13; Mosiah 18:10). It continues as God places His own name upon His people (Mosiah 5:11), calls us to bear it with integrity (3 Nephi 27:5), and commands all to receive it (D&C 18:21, 24). Each week, as we partake of the sacrament, we renew our willingness to take His name upon us again (Moroni 4:3), reaffirming that we belong to Him and He belongs to us.
These verses teach us that taking His name is not symbolic—it is transformational. It is how we accept His mission as our mission, represent Him in our words and choices, and allow His grace to shape our nature until His image is written in our countenance. It is how we declare to heaven and earth that we are His covenant people.
Together, these witnesses reveal that taking the name of Christ is the path by which we grow into celestial identity. It is the covenant that forms us, the power that strengthens us, and the relationship that defines us. When we take His name upon us, we step into the life He offers—becoming disciples who live in His light, walk in His ways, and carry His name with honor and joy.
3. Christians
Acts 11:26
Acts 11:26
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Why this scripture holds doctrinal weight
Acts 11:26 is the earliest biblical moment where the covenant community of Christ receives the title “Christians.” It establishes three doctrinal truths that align perfectly with Alma 46:15:
-
Christian = Disciple of Jesus Christ
Luke explicitly ties the name Christian to discipleship.
Alma ties the name Christian to belief in Christ and taking His name.
These are the same identity markers. -
The name was given because of their Christlike life
The believers in Antioch lived in such a way that outsiders recognized them as followers of Christ.
Alma says believers “gladly” took His name because they believed in Him.
Both communities were known by their devotion to Christ. -
The title “Christian” is covenantal, not cultural
In LDS doctrine, being Christian is not a label—it is a covenant identity.
Acts 11:26 shows that the earliest Christians were defined by discipleship, not by denominational structure.
Alma 46:15 shows the same: Christians are those who believe in Christ and take His name upon them.
Therefore:
Christian means Christlike.
Christlike means disciple.
Disciple means one who follows, represents, and belongs to Jesus Christ.
This is why Acts 11:26 stands strong in LDS doctrine—it matches the Book of Mormon’s definition perfectly.
Summary Principle
Who Are Christians?
We are Christians when we are faithful, loyal, and willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.
We are Christians when our belief becomes discipleship, our discipleship becomes identity, and our identity becomes Christlike living.
We are Christians because we belong to Him—and gladly bear His name.
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