| “And when Barnabas had found Paul, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” – Acts 11:26 |
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| Living up to your Name Our verse to consider speaks of three actions. First, we read of Barnabas going to Tarsus to search for Saul (soon to be called Paul), and when he finds him, he brings him to Antioch, where God is working and blessing. Barnabas will be a tremendous encouragement to Saul in his spiritual development. With Saul now in a place where God is working, we see the second action in which Saul/Paul and Barnabas start teaching. And then a third action takes place as people begin to notice that people who follow the teaching about Christ are living like Christ and they are called CHRISTIANS. A CHRISTIAN is one who is a FOLLOWER of CHRIST. This name or title comes after a time in which those who followed Jesus had been called followers of THE WAY or Galileans or Nazarenes. Now in Antioch, those who follow Christ are called CHRISTIANS. I would like to present two questions to you based on the word “Christian.” First, are you a Christian? In Acts 26:28, “Agrippa said unto Paul, you almost persuade me to become a Christian;” While King Agrippa knew the truth, he still was not a CHRISTIAN. Are you almost persuaded to be a Christian? Are you still considering the claims of Christ? Or has there been a time when you understood you are a sinner in need of a Savior and that Jesus Christ is that one and only Savior and you called on Him for salvation? I respectfully but seriously ask are you a CHRISTIAN? My second question is for those who said yes to the above question. Are you living like a Christian? Are your beliefs and behavior like that of Christ? Are you living up to your new title of being a Christian? A story is told of Alexander the Great that there was a day in which after a battle he saw a group of his men being marched to the back of the lines to be executed by his men. The rules of battle from Alexander the Great was that if you deserted during battle you were to be executed. Upon seeing the deserters Alexander the Great noticed one very young man, basically still a boy. Alexander the Great rode up to him he asked the young man what had happened. Trembling the young man said how he was in the very thick of the battle and seeing men die all around him he became fearful and he turned and ran. At this moment Alexander the Great has compassion and extended a pardon to him. Alexander the Great then asked the young man what his name was. The young man lifted his head to say proudly that his name was like his, Alexander! At this moment the smile on Alexander the Great’s face disappeared and he spoke firmly to the pardoned young man, “Either live up to your name or change it.” Are you living up to the name Christian? The apostle Paul would write to the Philippians in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” I trust you are a CHRISTIAN because you have been born again! I trust that you are living up to the name Christian, giving clear evidence in belief and behavior that you are a follower of Christ! Verse to DATE the Word on November 26 (11/26) is Acts 11:26. Acts 11:26. It says, “And when Barnabas had found Saul /Paul, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year, they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Continue Strong Living up to the name Christian! And remember to DATE THE WORD |