Most simply put, a Christian is one who believes in and follows Jesus the Messiah.  We read about the origin of the name "Christian" in the Book of Acts, the account of the workings of the Lord in the early days of the Church: "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."   (Acts 11:25-26 NIV)

So the word "Christian" is a biblical word for a follower of Christ.  It occurs again in the Book of Acts when the Apostle Paul is on trial before King Agrippa:  "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?'"  (Acts 26:28 NIV)

In the context of the persecution which was common in the days of the Early Church, Simon Peter says, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."  (1 Peter 4:16 NIV)