Surprisingly, there are a number of modern believers who are rejecting the label of "Christian."
"Christian" means "little Christ" or "Christ-like one" -- which is exactly what we should be striving to be. We want to be like Christ. We want the people in the world around us to look at us and see Christ in our attitudes, speech, behavior, and lifestyle. What more noble label could there be for us apart from "Christian"?
Now, I agree that if you are not trying to live a Christ-like life, then you should not call yourself a Christian in public. Don't tell people you are one of His if you refuse to be obedient to Him.
However, the label of "Christian" is a very biblical one, and for somebody to reject that is for them to step outside of the Bible and the biblical model.
So where did the label "Christian" come from?
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. [Acts 11:26]
The followers of Christ were first called "Christians" at Antioch. The world saw how they strove to be like Christ, so they called them "Christian." There is no hint here that the disciples rejected the label "Christian." If it had been a wrong thing, then the Bible surely would have made that clear right here for all generations of Christians to come. Instead, the disciples bore the label of "Christian" as they continued to labor at Antioch.
If that were the only mention in the Bible of our brothers and sisters bearing the label of "Christian," then perhaps somebody could make a case -- albeit an exceedingly weak one -- that believers should not have that label. After all, the label originated in the world, not in the church.
But, God's Word has not had its full say on the subject, yet. Let's look a little further.
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. [Acts 26:28]
In Acts we find King Agrippa using the name "Christian" in reference to Paul. How did Paul feel about it? See Paul's response in verse 29.
And Paul said, I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. [Acts 26:29]
Paul does not rebuke Agrippa wanting to be a Christian but, to the contrary, accepts the label for himself and says he wishes that the king and everyone else within his hearing were a Christian like him!
Finally, we have the strongest endorsement of the label yet in the whole Bible coming from Peter.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. [ I Peter 4:16]
The Apostle Peter used the term as if it is the most natural thing for himself and all other followers of Christ to be called. Peter's reference to "Christian" is all the more powerful when you consider that he was not addressing an unsaved audience, but was speaking to believers. It's clear that the believers themselves considered themselves to be Christians.
Therefore, following the model set by the Bible and the Apostles, we are to be called Christians. One may choose to reject the label and to call themselves something else, but they are acting outside the Bible and outside of the clear teaching of the apostles.
