“What’ in a Name?”

 

	“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
	—Acts 11:26

What’s in a name? Said another way, how seriously do you take the labels by which you might be called?

Take the label “Christian” or “Christ’s Ones,” for example. How meaningful is that label? Do you know its origin, as recorded in Acts 11:19-26:

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

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.

So, it was the believers in the church at Antioch who first became known as “Christians.”

It’s fun to be first. First in line, first in your class, first across the finish line, first with a new car, first with an elegant dress, first one married among your friends—it is definitely fun to be first. But, what if being first mean hardship, persecution, and a new heap of trouble in your life?

That was the price the first Christians paid. Within the context of their culture, they had no honor for being first called “Christians.” Instead of a badge of honor, that label became a targe for disdain and hatred.

I sometimes wonder how we would fair if we were numbered among the first to be called by the name of our Lord and Savior? Maybe we’re going to get the opportunity to find out. Our culture seems to becoming increasingly hostile to genuine believersmdash;people who revere God and honor the teachings of His Word.

Let us humbly determine to hold up the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and unwavering devotion. Let us strive to be “salt” and “light” in this troubled and needy world.

Imagine how very pleased God will be when He sees us proudly wearing the name “Christian” on the testimony of our lives of discipleship and obedience.

 

_{Copyright © 2014 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

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