Living up to the Family Name

Alexander the Great once learned that in his army was a namesake, another Alexander, who was a notorious coward. “Alexander the Great, who conquered the world when he was just twenty-three, called the soldier before him and said, ‘Is your name Alexander and are you named for me?’ The trembling coward said, ‘Yes, sir. My name is Alexander and I was named for you.’ The great general said, ‘Then either be brave or change your name!’ ”

How important is a name? Some people think a name is everything. A name often comes with a reputation, either good or bad. Some people are born with a family name with a bad reputation, and struggle through life under that shadow. Others are blessed to be born with a name that represents integrity or prestige, or work ethic. Some are born with a name that is rare and unfamiliar, and their name neither helps nor hinders them in life.

In politics, a nephew or grandchild may run for office years after their ancestor, hoping to be associated with that name. We have two potential presidential candidates today that are both hoping that the family name will help them get elected. Some names seem unfortunate. I had a roommate in the Marine Corps whose last name was Hogg. His family roots were from Georgia, but I never figured out if he were related to boss Hogg. Another person I worked with in the Marines had perhaps the most fitting name I have ever seen someone have. A proud, confident, and yes, cocky corporal named Peacock.

Jenelle and I wanted to give good names to our girls, that had meaning to them. Gabriella means “God is my Strength”. Karena means “Pure”. She was named for Jenelle’s mother, Karen. Ariella means “Lioness of God”.

Names have important meanings. Oftentimes, someone is given a nickname based on a personal characteristic, such as Barnabus, who we are going to talk about this morning. Sometimes in the Bible, God himself gives someone a new name, representing His call on their life and stamp of approval, such as He did with Jacob, changing his name to Israel, Abram being renamed Abraham. But the main part of our focus is a name that today’s passage informs us was first used in Antioch: Christian. What does it mean to carry this name?

Our passage today is Acts 11:19-30. The book of Acts tells the story of the early church. In chapter 10, we saw that God was impartial and had given salvation to the house of Ananias, and also had given the Holy Spirit to them. In the first part of Chapter 11, Peter tells the church in Jerusalem about his vision, his journey to Ananias, and all that happened there, including the filling of the Holy Spirit for gentile believers. And in verse 18, the church responds to Peter’s testimony: Acts 11:18 (ESV)18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

This is an exciting thing indeed, the proof that God is impartial and offers salvation to all who would believe in Jesus Christ. Now, we see another facet of the early church, and what happened in a place called Antioch. Antioch was one very sick place. If we had a city that we could name today that had the worst of vice, whether that is Las Vegas, Hollywood or some other place, where sin abounds, and moral standards are nearly non-existent, then that would have been Antioch. In fact, writers at the time attribute the fall of morals in Rome to the bad influence of Antioch. This was one bad place.

However, despite this being such a bad place, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached there, and many believed. So a local body of believers, or a church, was forming. In fact, the spiritual growth was being heard of in Jerusalem, so Barnabas is sent there, and he realizes there is so much need for teaching and help to make disciples that he goes to find Saul, and brings him back to help. We also are going to see that a famine is prophesied, and that the reaction of the church to this was to send relief. Let’s look at the passage, Acts 11:19-30

Acts 11:19–30 ESV

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

So an awful lot is happening in this passage. A lot of history, a lot of insight, and it was a difficult passage for me as I prepared to choose what in this passage to speak on, in choosing a particular focus. So I chose to focus on verse 26, which says that it was in Antioch that they were first called Christians. I want to dissect this a little and see what it meant then, and what it means to us today, since we are for the most part, as believers in Jesus Christ, referred to as Christians today, just as the early church in Antioch was.

At the same time, I want to mention Barnabas, because his name here is also significant. His name was actually Joseph, but he was called Barnabas. Does anyone know what Barnabas meant? It meant son of encouragement. This was what he was called. Evidently his attitude and spiritual gifting were such that those around him tagged him with this new name, son of encouragement.

We first read about Joseph called Barnabas at the end of Acts chapter 4. Acts4.36-37

Acts 4:36–37 ESV

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

There, he was the one who sold a field and laid the money at the apostles feet. His act of generosity and selflessness was celebrated, and you will remember that right after that in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphire tried to be recognized by selling a field and giving part of the proceeds, but withholding some for themselves. They wanted the glory of appearing selfless without actually giving up all that they pretended to. Of course, the consequences were pretty terrible. But I just wanted to point out here that Barnabas was the good example in that passage and he is also a good example to us here. Barnabas was very encouraging. He was the one who encouraged the church to accept Saul after his conversion. The church was scared of Saul, and some did not seem to believe that he was truly a Christian, but Barnabas bridged the gap and encouraged the church to consider Saul (Paul) to be one of them. Acts9.26-28

Acts 9:26–28 ESV

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

was and later we will see that he was willing to give Mark a second chance, even when Paul was not.

Acts 15:36–41 ESV

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

I can say I have been on both sides of that argument at different times in my ministry. Was Paul right to be skeptical? Yes. Was Barnabas right to see him succeed? Yes. They were both right, yet both wrong also, since they had a sharp disagreement. But we see that the character of Barnabas truly is to be an encourager.

Barnabas was given a name, son of encouragement, because that is exactly the description that fit him. He was a great leader in the early church, and yet he was humble enough to allow Paul to overtake him in preeminence. He was a truly humble man who was not a glory hound, looking for recognition, but a servant, doing all he can to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an example to all of us, and we should strive, each of us, to be sons or daughters of encouragement.

What if we did that today? Joseph, we are just going to call you son of encouragement, that’s what you are, that’s what we will call you? If we did that, what would your name be? Grumpy Bear? Snarky Snake? Sarcastic Sam? Sad Sack? Lemon Drop? Strong Coffee? Ice Man? Maverick? Always leaves the lid off Lucy? Or would your name reflect the fruit of the Spirit? Mr. Compassion, Joy, Hope, Peaceful Pat, Patience. Gentle Ben, or Son of Self-Control?

How about the name given to the believers in Antioch? Does the name “Christian” fit you? Does it fit me? What does the name Christian mean? Well, it means “follower of Christ” Christ means Messiah, or Anointed one, so a Christian is a follower of the Messiah. The reason they weren't first called Christians by the Jews was probably because by calling them Christians, they would be affirming that Jesus was the Messiah, so it shouldn't surprise us that it is in Antioch that they are first called Christians.

Prior to that, believers sometimes referred to themselves as followers of the Way. This is very interesting, and if it weren't for a sort of cult in recent history that used this term, I think it is a fine term to use. Are you a follower of the Way? What is the Way? Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. If Jesus is the Way, then I am a follower of the Way. If Jesus is the one I follow, then I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, A follower of the Messiah, the Holy and anointed one.

The problem with terms in our world is that we have gotten to where people get to make up their own meanings for them. I have heard many arguments in which one Christian answers another who had an irrefutable point from Scripture by saying, “Well, that is the truth you find in Scripture, I have found my own truth”. What? This is possible today because in many ways, our world has rejected an absolute truth. Many people would hear that statement, “I find my truth, and you find yours, both are good because we both find it in the Bible”, and cheer, “Right on, right on!”. Yet, there must be some solid truth, there must be some absolute. If two Christians agree that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant Word of the Living God, then on issues like the one I was hearing debated, then two people who are understanding scripture completely differently cannot both be right!

Certainly, there are areas of scripture that two reasonable people can disagree on the meaning of, as long as it is not a foundational doctrine, or a doctrine regarding salvation. This happens when metaphor or parables are used without the definition being given explicitly in scripture. There are many passages like this. Many bible studies have had arguments about Paul’s thorn in the flesh. It isn't defined, so many people have their theories about what exactly this thorn in the flesh is. Some think it was a physical problem, some think it was the fight against his flesh that he talked about in Romans 7. Some think it was a person who constantly drained Paul by criticism or something like that.

These things we can have differences of opinion on. But the main point of Paul telling about this thorn, I believe, is not to have us try to figure out exactly what it is, but to make this one very important point: That the grace of God through Jesus Christ is sufficient for us in any situation. In Paul’s case, he prayed for the “thorn” to be removed, but Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you”.

What is my point here? Just that . Paul’s thorn is something that I think is just fine and dandy that we can theorize what it was. Perhaps we bring our own needs into our interpretation. The one suffering from cancer will read the passage and say “Lord, I have prayed for healing, but I am not yet healed. May I trust that your grace is sufficient for me.” Someone battling with bad thoughts might pray “Lord, this battle seems to never end. But your grace is sufficient for me.”

So many people, based on their own trials, can find great hope in this passage. The main point cannot be argued: God’s grace is sufficient. It is clearly the main point here, but can also be argued from other scripture, so in the end, we must, as Christians, finally conclude that Paul is trying to get a message across, and it really is not to be specific about what his problem was, but his point is inarguable, that His grace is sufficient for us.

So yes, there are areas where we are in agreement on the main idea, and perhaps disagree on a more minor point. This is understandable, since we are viewing scripture through a translator’s best attempt to get it right, since most people are not fluent in reading ancient Greek or Hebrew, and even though who are fluent in those ancient languages do not always agree as to the precise meaning of things like Paul’s thorn in the flesh.

The important thing is to understand that words must mean something concrete. They cannot mean something that they were never meant to mean. Since Paul’s is using a metaphor of a thorn, it is fine and dandy to try and figure out what the metaphor means. But when something is spelled out clearly, we must not change the meaning to suit ourselves or anyone we are trying to please. Words must mean something, and the word Christian means Christ follower, or one who is living out the teachings of Christ and determined to follow Him all the days of their life.

Today, many people feel that words can mean whatever they want them to. A leader famously answered a question “It depends on what your definition of ‘is’ is”. In other words, it depends on what your definition is, and that may not correspond with my definition. The implication is that you can define that word one way, I may define it another way, and that’s just fine, and you can’t accuse me of lying because when I said the statement that you thought was a lie, you were thinking that because of your definition of the words I said, and that’s not what I meant.

But words must mean something, and the word Christian ought to mean something very significant. Surveys show that the majority in our country identify themselves as Christian, but are the majority really Christ followers? Or is Christian just a way of identifying the culture or family one came out of? Is it a personal identification with the Savior, or simply an acknowledgment that the nation in certain general ways, is more Christian than it is Jewish or Muslim or Atheist?

So Christian means Christ follower. We can’t help the generalities out there about what Christian means. To some, it has a negative meaning. Perhaps they think Christians are arrogant, or judging, or prejudiced. Perhaps they see it as good, because of benevolence, and morality, and they see the good the church can do. Many people call themselves Christian just because of where and when they were born, yet have never followed Christ. We can’t help that.

What we can help is how we view ourselves as Christ followers. This is how we attempt to live up to the name of Christian. I mentioned earlier how some people are born into a family with a name that is respected, or feared, or reviled. The family name of Christian, in how it is perceived by the world, has all of those things in its reputation, good and bad. To live up to the name of Christ while we are yet in this “body of sin” as Paul called it, is not possible on our own.

Yet we must live as though we are trying to redeem the name of Christian. In the end, Christ will be thoroughly vindicated. Scripture says that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, but today, the name of Christ is continually sullied. It is even a curse for many people. Yet, we, as His followers, by living out a Christian life, can repair that name to some extent. When we live lives of integrity and honor, when we are above reproach, then the world must respect us, at least in our willingness to stand for what we believe in. Yet, at the same time that some may be impressed that we live out this life with integrity and honor, others will revile us. Jesus promised that as His followers, we would not be better than Him.

No servant is greater than his Master. In other words, if Christ be our Master, and He suffered derision and insult, than we as His servants can expect the same. However, He also gives us promise: he has overcome the world. So the world will not love us for living like Christians. Living up to His name does not mean that we will be loved and admired by everyone. I can tell you, I am not loved and admired by everyone in that knows me. And you may not be either.

Living up to His name does not mean that everyone will like us. The only way to get everyone to like you is to compromise. And when you compromise, then certain people of integrity will lose respect for you, so you really cannot please everyone. Living up to His name is to live like Him. Alexander told the cowardly soldier to “be brave, or change your name”. In other words, if you are named for me, Alexander said, then honor me by being like me. Otherwise, don’t go around using my name. It cheapens it.

Fortunately for us, our Savior is not as harsh as Alexander was. However, there is a lesson there. If we are going to call ourselves Christians, then ought we not live like it? It was in Antioch that they were first called Christians, and today around the world, there are people who are called Christians. Some of them live like Christ, and bring him honor. Some live contrary to His teaching, and bring dishonor. Christ calls us to bring honor to His name, not by being liked by everyone, because Christ himself did not accomplish this, but by living a life of integrity, and one men’s ministry leader likes to have the men repeat “Strength and Honor!”

The final point is also the application of this message to each of us: Who will draw conclusions about Christians because they know you?

There are probably a few sub-points to this question. First, do the people who know you even know you are a Christian? I fear that there were times in my life where if an old acquaintance from that time were to meet me today, would say, “You’re a pastor? I didn't even know you were a Christian?” I know I do not stand alone when I say this would be the case for people who have known me in the past. I hope it is not the case today.

Next, do you live in a way that draws people to Him? Is your gentleness evident to all who know you? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life? Would people say that what you say you believe and how you live are in agreement?

Do you talk about your faith, your church family, or your spiritual needs and growth? Invite people to come to church? Speak well of the brethren? I know of someone who was accusing their pastor of not doing his job because none of the people that person worked with even knew who the pastor was. This person did not see it as their responsibility to speak of their faith and church life to their colleagues, who they were in contact with daily, but instead expected the pastor to do that.

Each of us in this congregation are in contact with many different people throughout the week. There are people at your job, in your extended family, who share a hobby or other passion with you, that I could not touch with a ten foot pole, and God has put you next to them, and there are people in my life who you might not encounter. That is the beauty of the family of God! He has placed each of us into a strategic location to reach the world with His love!

Today’s message is fairly simple: Words mean something, and the word Christian means “Christ-follower”. Even though the meaning is not really disputable, many people identify themselves as Christians who are not followers.

We can live up to the name of Christian by living like Christ, submitting to His Lordship, following scripture. We live our Christian life out in community. None of us is a lone wolf. We cannot do it on our own.

Finally, we need to be aware that those people God has placed in our lives draw conclusions about Christianity, the church, and you as an individual Christian as they observe you. So keep this in mind. Ask God to reveal to you how you can make those daily interactions count for His kingdom. Study His Word with the intent of allowing it to saturate you, to convict you of sin in your life, to change you. Finally, remember that Jesus ascended to heaven and is with the Father, yet He intercedes for us. When we pray, it is Jesus who makes an appeal to the Father on our behalf. And he did not leave us alone here. He is always with us, and He provided a Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to guide us, to strengthen us for His service, and to give us boldness to be witnesses. A person is not a witness because they saw something, or experienced something, but because they said something. What is your witness?

What does “Christian” mean? How do we live up to His name? Who will draw conclusions about Christians because they know you?

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