Acts 11:21-26 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, 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.
This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued in our sermon series through the Book of Acts, where the disciples (the students and followers) of Jesus Christ were first given the name of Christian. But, it is important that the defining of terms be made clear for our understanding. Throughout history and up until today, there are those who claim to have made a insincere profession of faith in the Gospel and in Jesus the Christ as Savior and Lord, but do not “walk the talk”. Mock Christians deceivingly pretend and claim to know and follow Jesus as Lord, but only really wanted a Savior to save them from the flames of Hell and do not obey Him. Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Many times the pseudo-Christian manufactures an ersatz Jesus of their own imagination, who likes what they like.
Jesus, himself warned us in Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of religious impostors, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Christian” as: A real disciple of Christ (as oppose to a false or nominal Christian); one who believes in the gospel truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, and obey the precepts (teachings and instructions) of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety (dedication, devotion and undying desire to live for Jesus). Pastor Kyle expounded on the definition by stating that a Christian is someone who has publicly accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, is pursuing a life of obedience to God and His living Word found in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible, who perseveres in saving faith unto death. The covert to Christianity has repented of their sins against nature’s God and their fellow man, they have sincerely asked for forgiveness with a contrite heart. They believe and accept by saving faith the sacrificial, substitutionary and sacred death of Jesus as their divine Savior given by the grace of God. They are born-again of the Spirit and their hearts are transformed, their spirit regenerated in reconciliation with God, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But, there is more than being saved from Hell to Heaven at the end of this life. The “good life” begins immediately.
John 1:10-13 proclaims that “He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the God-rejecting world (the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ) did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” All together, this is a what a Christian truly is.
In Christ, Brian
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