SOME BIBLE NAMES OF BELIEVERS – PART 1
ACTS +11:26 "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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."
WE ARE CALLED CHRISTIANS
The name Christian was given to the believers in the early church for the first time in our present text. It was intended to be a term of ridicule and mockery. I do not know how they originally responded to the name but it was not long until they wore the name proudly.
Barnabas is first mentioned in Acts +4:36, “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,” As his name suggests Barnabas was a peace maker. Later in the book of Acts John Mark as a young man went on one of Paul’s and Barnabas’ missionary journeys. John Mark quit them while on the journey. There is evidence John Mark quit because he couldn’t take the difficulties of the journey. The next time Paul made a missionary journey, which was at least a year, Barnabas insisted on taking John Mark with them. Paul objected and the contention was so great between them that Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus and Paul took Silas and repeated his first missionary journey confirming the churches.
After his first missionary journey, Paul spent a whole year teaching in Antioch. The church at Antioch became a strong missionary Church. If one spent a year under the ministry of Paul, there would be great spiritual growth. Their study of the Word of God, and the change in their doctrine, and life style so changed that the opposition began to call them Christians.
It would be interesting to know how many people call us (me and you) Christians because of our obedience to the Scriptures and submission to the Lordship of Christ. Most of the time we have to tell people that we are Christians. In fact, I have asked people if they were Christians and they were offended by it. They thought if you were born in America and were members of a church, that no one should have to ask that question. The fact is that many who are members of a Church do not live the christian life. The Bible is seldom opened and many do not frequent the church. They come only when they do not have anything else to do. There is every reason to ask them if they are Christians because of their language and life style.
“Excuse my French”, is not acceptable to God for swearing and the use of base and vulgar language. Paul teaches in Ephesians +4:29 30, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The Holy Spirit is grieved when we use “corrupt communication.”
The believers were called Christians first at Antioch. We need to wear that name proudly and unashamedly. And our lives should speak loudly that we are the true followers of Christ. Next,
WE ARE CALLED AMBASSADORS
2 Corinthians 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
The words “we are ambassadors” translates “presbeuo” and is according to Webster’s dictionary, “a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative.”
The words, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” state a conclusion from what has just been said. Verse 19 says, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. The words “to wit” means, ”To know.” This verb is used only in the infinitive, to wit, namely, that is to say.” Noah Web. 1828 addition.
