WHAT’S IN A NAME?

August 8

Bible Reading: Acts 11:23-26

Acts 11:26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

A lot of different names are used to describe those belonging to Jesus: believers (Acts 5:14); the church (Acts 5:11); disciples (followers of Jesus; Acts 6:1); saints (“holy ones”; Acts 9:13); brethren (Acts 6:3); the Way, or those belonging to the way (Acts 9:2); Nazarenes (Acts 24:5); the flock (Acts 20:28-29), etc. 

But “Christian” is the term most broadly used, and it’s been around a long time.  It was not the Christians themselves, but the people of Antioch who first called them that.  The name means “those belonging to Christ” or “Christ’s men.”  The people of Antioch gave them that title, although indications suggest they gave it as a term of reproach, likely because of the “Christness” of their walk and talk.  Accordingly, it no doubt delighted those followers to be called by that name.

If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be any evidence to support that claim?  That’s what happened in Antioch!  The walk and talk of those disciples were so uniquely different, in Christ-virtuous ways, that people readily identified them as being followers of Jesus.  Are you walking in a manner worthy of Christ (Ephesians 4:1)?  Do Christ-honoring and edifying words typify your speech (Ephesians 4:29)?  Far more important than possessing a mere title is possessing the reality of a genuine relationship with Jesus that evidences itself in His life-transforming ways!

Having trusted in Jesus and His saving work on the cross, a Christian is one who has been born again into a life-transforming relationship with Him.

I AM HIS, AND HE IS MINE
Loved with everlasting love,
drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above,
thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace
from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease,
I am his and he is mine.

Heav’n above is deeper blue,
earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue
Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song his glories show,
flow’rs with richer beauties shine
since I know, as now I know,
I am his and he is mine.

Taste the goodness of the Lord:
welcomed home to his embrace,
all his love, as blood outpoured,
seals the pardon of his grace.
Can I doubt his love for me,
when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary
I am his and he is mine.

His forever, only his–
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am his and he is mine.