First Called Christians

Introduction:

First called Christian (v.26) - christianos

What does it mean to be Christian? To claim to be one is one thing, to be called one is another, but to be one....

Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16 - seemingly given by outsiders to describe them. Speaking of themselves, early Christians used terms like “believers”, “brothers”, or “disciples”. Christians in the early church followed Jesus, not as independent, believing individuals but in the context of the covenant community of the church. There-in lies the beauty and strength of what it means to be Christian.

Read Acts 11:1-4… 17-18. Then v.19-30.

Pray, that God would make us truly like Jesus, true Christians - and that we would honor that name, and glory in it as we grow in the Lord together. Pray for unity in diversity.

Christians face opposition

To be a Christian is to face opposition - John 16:33

Christian history is a history of opposition

Luke-Acts: Jesus’s death on the cross, Stephen’s stoning, Peter and John’s beatings and imprisonment, James’ death, more beatings, stonings, imprisonments and executions

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

Modern day:

Thousands of Christians killed every year

During pandemic, many in primarily Muslim countries being kept from medical aid based on their faith

China’s communist gov’t imprisoning believers and those of other faiths at alarming rates, seeing independent religion as a threat to their communist state agenda

Persecution and opposition on the rise (it’s not just Christians being paranoid)

For us, primary opposition will be 1) conflict with the values, norms and mores of our culture or 2) internal resistance to change

Challenges to cultural values

It is uncomfortable to say that wrong is wrong, and to call sin, sin. (Our authority and message are not our own)

Example - sexual sin

sex outside of the commitment of marriage

sexual intimacy of people of the same biological sex

It may not be long until it is illegal. Thankfully in the US we do have some legal protections and can wisely attempt to head some of these things off by well-crafted church constitution and by-laws and sound membership practices.

Peter was opposed by his own people - The majority of our opposition comes from the “inside” - religious traditionalism or simply proud, entitled church people who are resistant to any change to the status quo

Ex. “This is our church”, or “because we’ve always done it that way.”

They didn’t like that Peter ate with gentiles - not so different from Jesus

Luke 5:30 NASB95

The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”

In this case, (at least for now) they were willing to hear and consider what God and revealed to Peter. So too we must be willing to accept it, when the gospel brings about change. We must take care that we don’t allow our own comforts and preferences to become barriers to the good news of Jesus.

How should Christians respond to such opposition?

Of course, different opposition requires different types of response. But the text gives us the basic idea of what to do.

Peter knew what God had said and done, and trusted in Him. (v.4-17)

Three times repeated in the vision (v.9-10)

Verified by Holy Spirit’s message to him to receive them (v.12) and the events that unfolded as God moved, the gentiles believed the gospel, and their faith was authenticated by the signs of the Holy Spirit so there could be no doubt about what God was doing.

v.17 - “who was I that I could stand in God’s way”

We, too have the revealed Word of God and the Holy Spirit to help us understand and apply it. When opposition to the work of Christ comes, we must stand firm on the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t fear opposition, for God is with us

Matthew 10:19–20 NASB95

“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

When it comes, we face it with confidence in the Word of God to know what is right. We understand that we have the Spirit of God, to aid us and provide the strength and insight we need.

Where the Bible is clear, we stand firm. Where it is not so clear, or is an issue of wisdom, we rely on the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially the leadership (i.e Elders), believing they too are filled with His Spirit and are wanting what is best to the glory of God.

Ex. decisions about how to setup our church government and administration. We prayerfully share our sanctified, Bible-informed ideas on what to do and trust that God, in His providence is working for our good in the decisions that we make.

This shows the importance of godly leadership who is knows and can teach God’s Word, as well as membership who truly know and love Jesus.

What about when opposition is severe? Do right, as you understand it and trust that God can work through any circumstance - after all, He used Stephen’s death to bring life to the gentiles, and Jesus’s death to redeem the world.

Jesus faced opposition. So too will all Christians in some form or another.

Christians tell people about Jesus

These believing Jews were scattered because of the opposition in Judea and brought the gospel with them wherever they went.

Most spoke to their own people

As the Jews didn’t normally associate with gentiles, they only shared the message of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection with their fellow countrymen. (v.19)

It is natural to speak to those closest to you about your experiences. Much more so than to those who are very different from you. That is one reason “community by similarity” works so well. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that.

When we speak to our family, co-workers and friends about Jesus, it honors Christ, grows our faith and it may be that God will use that to bring them to a knowledge of Himself!

Why is it so hard to speak of Jesus? Many reasons, but one is that we fear speaking of spiritual things to non-spiritual people. So why don’t we speak more of spiritual things to spiritual people? After all, Christians speak of the spiritual realities of life (God, sin, redemption, heaven, hell, etc.).

Let’s practice talking more about who Christ is and what He has done. Start with each other! Use this message as a source, take the handout and pick out a few things to talk about with your family later. Grab another believer for lunch or start a text thread regarding a question or comment about the Word of God. Start by speaking truth to each other, to your own people.

That’s not all that happened. Some spoke to the gentiles, the outsiders. (v.20)

Men of Cyprus and Cyrene - these are Jews, but Jews who had settled in various areas after the captivity. They were Jews, but Greek speaking natives of Cyprus and Cyrene.

This certainly made it easier talk to the Greek-speaking gentiles in Antioch (i.e. “Hellenists”)

By the way - God can use your particular gifts and past experiences - even those many consider shameful - to open doors to the gospel!

Ex. John Stroup with Freeway Ministries

Trouble with suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, where you grew up, who you know, where you work, etc.

Easy or not, these believers “preached the Lord Jesus” in their city

Preach - euangelizō - yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo - bring good news - evangelize

They had received the good news that by faith in this crucified and risen Jesus, their sins could be forgiven and they could obtain eternal life with God. The fact had been validated by the resurrection, the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is difficult indeed to read the new testament and try and define a Christianity that doesn’t share the good news of Jesus.

Non-believer - First, Please forgive us for our lack of zeal in sharing good news. We are often tired, weary, distracted and busy about the daily minutae of life and can lose perspective. Second, please know we aren’t trying to force anything on anyone, but we believe this is true and sharing both the warnings and the encouragements of the gospel is simply the natural consequence of knowing forgiveness and grace. We really believe this is true - based on our own experience and the Word of God in the new testament and want you, and all people to know the forgiveness of your sins in Jesus.

God has called His church to share the gospel. Note: this was not a church program. The elders hadn't come up with evangelistic meetings and times to blanket the neighborhood (nothing wrong with that). This was just Spirit filled believers telling about what and who they know in the way they knew.

One of the most fruitful times I’ve ever had was just meeting a guy at his house and talking to him about the Lord. We’d read the Bible some and just talk. I just got to see God work in this man’s life.

Christians talk about Jesus Christ, and share the message about Him with others. What if you don’t know much about Him or the Word of God in general? Such was the case with these people of Antioch...

Christians help each other grow in Christ

When these men shared Christ with the gentiles in Antioch, the Lord moved and many turned to the Lord! (v.21). But now what?

What do you do when someone (or many someones) come to Christ for the first time and know nothing about what it looks like to live together in the covenant community of Jesus?

First of all, be careful that you distinguish between your home culture and what Christ commands.

The beauty of this expansive grace of God to the gentiles is that they didn’t have to be Jewish, or convert to Judaism to be saved.

Neither does an Indian, or an African tribesman have to now live as a white European or American does.

We must, in wisdom, be able to recognize and teach the difference between right Christian practice and our own cultures, extra-biblical traditions and preferences.

For example, it isn’t Christian to wear a suit and tie, any more than it’s Christian to wear a turban. However, it is Christian to honor Christ by setting aside time to worship with other Believers on Sunday. We must know the difference based on God’s Word and not just our own traditional practices.

Second, we need the Church to instruct in the right teachings and commands of Our Lord to His followers. The church equips the church to be the church!

Yes, we have His Word in the Bible, but we need models and teachers!

What was the first thing the church did when they heard of God’s grace to these gentile believers? They sent Barnabas to affirm their faith and then Saul and Barnabas to equip them for their calling as Christians

Every new believer, and every new church needs affirmation and equipping.

That’s what Baptism is in part - affirmation and commitment by the church to the believer

That’s the model for church planting - sending elder/elders to the church to train and equip leaders to train and equip the church according to the Word of God

Remember Titus from last week? Elder sending an elder/church planter to appoint and train elders to equip the church.

Who should disciple that new believer, or teach that person that is seeking to understand more about the Lord?

best if someone of the same sex

Every disciple is a disciple-maker!

I know we aren’t Paul, or Barnabas, but we are Christians, and Christians help other Christians grown in the Lord!

Read the Bible together regularly and pray, or find a book on basic Bible doctrines to go through together

https://9marks.myshopify.com/collections/small-group-bundles/first-steps-series

Get ideas from the elder/s but just start with regularly meeting and gospel conversation! Godly, loving support and guidance is what we all need and far too often are lacking.

If you begin to

What are other opportunities? Nursery, Kids, Teens, etc. Pray, asking God and begin talking to other church members about what God is stirring in your heart.

The mission of the church is to make disciples and teach Christ’s commands. May we all, by God’s grace see the various ways in which we can obey this commission we’ve been given to share Christ and help each other grow in Him.

Christians care for each other’s needs

In those days prophets - foretelling and forthtelling prophets (v.27)

What did these gentile believers - these Christians do when confronted with the famine in Judea? They gave.

They gave voluntarily, according to their ability

They gave in unity and love, in spite of differences. Why?

Because God in Christ has given much!

and because they are family and when family is in need, we do what we can to help.

Christian unity is being unified in and because of Jesus. That’s it.

have concern for… serving… carrying burdens… showing hospitality - love - one another.

Pray for each other, let your needs be known, and generously give to help our Brothers and Sisters in need

House of Samuel - needs in SE Asia

Conclusion:

One cannot be a Christian without repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But that is only the start of the life of a believer as we live out our commitment to Him in this World.

Believers need each other, and what a blessing it is to have your brothers and sisters in Christ to serve alongside as we carry out the commission of our King!

To know He is with us, even in the midst of trials, to stand on His unshakeable Word and ever-present Spirit for guidance and strength.

May we gain ever-more confidence in Him, speak of Him often, and taking the example of these early believers, pour the truth of the Gospel into each other that we may be a shining witness to the glory of God.

That was the prayer of Iraneus, the Bishop of Antioch and one of the earliest recorded church fathers after the NT (c. 117-140s AD)

“Only pray for me for strength, both inward and outward, that I may not merely speak, but also have the will, that I may not only be called a Christian, but may also be found to be one. For if I be found to be one, I can also be called one, and then be deemed faithful when I no longer am visible in the world.”1 - IRo 3:2, est. 117-145-ish AD.

Begin praying for a discipling opportunity and be watching for it! It doesn’t have to be a new believer!

If you already see it begin praying for that person and approach them about meeting regularly for your mutual growth in the Lord.