Living Up To The Name

Acts 11:19–30 LEB

19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came to Antioch, began to speak to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 And the report came to the attention of the church that was in Jerusalem about them, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch, 23 who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 because he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large number were added to the Lord. 25 So he departed for Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened to them also that they met together for a whole year with the church and taught a large number of people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that a great famine was about to come over the whole inhabited earth (which took place in the time of Claudius). 29 So from the disciples, according to their ability to give, each one of them determined to send financial aid for support to the brothers who lived in Judea, 30 which they also did, sending the aid to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Over time believers had been called several things:

The first word used to describe them was “disciples.” They were disciples of their Master. They were disciples or “learners” after their master Jesus. That name prevailed throughout the ministry of Jesus.

Next they were called “saints.” Jesus gave them this word, calling them literally “the holy ones, or the set apart ones.”

A saint is not one who is perfect. Not one who has been credited with so many miracles as in the Catholic understanding of the word.

A saint is one who is committed to or devoted to God, which are all the followers of Jesus Christ.

They were called “believers.” This does not refer only to an intellectual adherence to a set of facts, but to a joyous reception to the gospel.

They were called “witnesses.” Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses..” (Acts 1:8). They were to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard, of the truth about Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.

It is in Antioch that for the first time the followers of Jesus are called “Christians.”

The word means “Christ’s ones’ or “Christ’s people” or “belonging to Christ.”

Some believe that it was intended as a sneer, an insult. But once given to them, it was felt to be too appropriate, too beautiful, too dear, to be ever allowed to die.

Here for the very first time these, disciples, saints, believers, witnesses, are called Christians. No longer is the church considered a sect of Judaism.

Unfortunately, the word Christian has lost a great deal of significance over the centuries and no longer means “one who has turned from sin, trusted Jesus Christ, and received salvation by grace” (Acts 11:21–23).

Many people who have never been born again consider themselves “Christians” simply because they say they are not “pagans.” After all, they may belong to a church, attend services somewhat regularly, and even occasionally give to the work of the church!

But it takes more than that for a sinner to become a child of God. It takes repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins on the cross and rose again to give us eternal life.

The believers in the early church suffered because they were Christians (1 Peter 4:16).

“If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

A good question!

The church is recognized as being distinct from Israel

1. They Shared The Gospel

Acts 11:19–20 ESV

19 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. 20 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.

2. They Became A Living Testimony

Acts 11:21–24 ESV

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 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, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

3. They Committed Theirselves To Spiritual Growth

Acts 11:25–26 ESV

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 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.

4. The Grow Spiritual

Acts 11:27–30 NLT

27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.