Christianity use to be a renegade sect of Judiasm, eventually becoming organized into the universal church hence known as the Holy Roman Catholic church. The people who risked they're lives to worship Christ were Christians. Then I believe the tenets of "The Church" before the protestant reformation are what dictated what a Christian was. The definition of Christian it seems has changed into what ever the person in question was raised to believe. Unfortunatley God and Jesus have been replaced as the objects of worship and the Bible has taken they're place for many Christians. I believe a Christian is a follower of Christ. Someone who accepts the Nicean creed. Someone who endevours to be Christ like. But then again what do I know.
"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche