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...and the disciples were first called

Christians in Antioch.

Acts 11:26b

Pentecost was over. The Holy Spirit had descended on those present in the Temple in Jerusalem. The disciples had gathered there with others as Jesus had told them to do. The people were now empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the command of Jesus to take the Gospel not just in the immediate area but to the uttermost parts of the world. Peter preached a wonderful, articulate sermon and thousands were saved.

All those baby Christians were so excited and enthused. Have you ever been around a new Christian and witnessed their excitement and enthusiasm? They do okay until they get around folks who have been saved for awhile and that's all it takes to settle them down...unfortunately.

There then took on the form of a church. There were thousands who had been saved. There had to be some way of meeting their needs and thus an infant church was formed. From all descriptions of this infant church, we wouldn't recognize it in our day. It's difficult in our day to get church members to attend church on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights let alone every day of the week as the infant church experienced because it was their desire to do so.

Sometime, read Acts 2:41-47. In that small section of Scripture one can find a list of those things done on a daily basis by the new infant, thriving and more than enthusiastic church. This list includes:

• members had received the Word and were baptized
• they devoted themselves continually to the apostles teaching
• fellowshiped
• broke bread (thought to be the communion service)
• were devoted to prayer
• were together and had all things in common
• sold and shared possessions for the sake of those who were in need
• were of one mind
• ate in each others homes almost daily, eating together with gladness
• were sincere of heart
• consistently praised God
  

 

 

What was the result? The Lord was adding to their numbers day by day because of so many people being saved. There was no denying that something spectacular was happening in Jerusalem and the word was spreading all over the place, aiding in the spread of the Gospel. You see, what was going on was not happening only on a Sunday.

Now we come to Acts 11:26 where the last phrase of that verse tells us: ...”and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Disciples referred to “disciplined ones” but Antioch was the first place where the word “Christian” was coined. In looking up the word, I found that it means “partisans, or followers of Christ.” It also means, “Christ's people.” That last meaning gives me pause to think how someone would label my walk with Christ. Is my witness such that outsiders would consider me a person of Christ not just on Sunday but every day of the week. From the list of definitions, I decided to do an acrostic using that word “Christian” that would feature characteristics in keeping with those listed in the book of Acts.

Christian

They were genuine born-again people...no act, no facade, no put on..., the real thing.

Helpful

They couldn't do enough for each other. They sincerely wanted to help each other all they could.

Righteous

They were a people who wanted to do the right thing...living true and right in every way possible.

Inspirational

They inspired one another to go on, doing great things for the Lord.

Servant

They had the hearts of servants, seeing to each others needs through food and other provisions even to the point of selling their own property to give to others.

Truth

These folks were hungry for truth. They hung on every word the apostles taught them day after day. They couldn't get enough of the knowledge of God. Their taking in that truth and putting it into practice showed in their lives.

Intercessor

We are also told they were people of prayer.

Ambassador

The members of this young church were agents for Christ. They were anxious to represent Jesus well and outsiders were influenced through their lives and life messages.

Nurturing

As far as the relationships within the infant church, nurturing was being done all over the place. They encouraged each other, passed along the things of Jesus, saw to needs when they were made known and were loving and caring people in every way. The way I like to put it is that they were “Jesus with skin on” for each other.

How wonderful if we could be these things in the churches we attend. In our churches are people who need our prayers, encouragement, material help and the list goes on. I trust as Christians, Christs people, our goal is to be so like Him that we would hardly be able to even recognize our own personal selves. May we be found faithful...our churches desperately need us.

Dear Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to those folks in Jerusalem. I must remember though that the Holy Spirit that fell on the people in that time and place is the same Holy Spirit living within me. Empower me, Holy Spirit to be the Christian I was born-again to be. Thank you Father, for Your grace and goodness in my life. Amen