First Called Christians

Acts 11:25-26

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.

 

Peter had established that the Gentiles could be granted repentance as well as the Jews. All those in Jerusalem agreed with him. But because of Stephen's martyrdom, many scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch speaking only to Jews. But some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene [Greek speaking believers] began speaking to the Hellenists, preaching Jesus. When the report of this came to Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check it out.

 

When he came, he saw the grace of God!! How exciting! He exhorted them to remain faithful to Jesus with unwavering purpose. A great many people were added to the church. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, they both came to Antioch. There they taught for an entire year, and in Antioch the believers were first called Christians.

 

How did all this come about? The passage says that the hand of the Lord was with them. It was not through man's power but through God's. Barnabas himself was a good man full of the Spirit and faith. Such a description as this was not a one-time filling, but it characterized his life. The Spirit was in full control of the situation! I think it is exciting that the believers [followers of the Way] were first called Christians here and not in Jerusalem. It shows the great power of God to reach out to Gentiles and bless them with the grace and His Spirit. No doubt at this time the name was a name of derision but God turned that around as well. Sadly, in our culture the name Christian is very watered down sometimes even interchangeable with American or a church-goer. But to me it is a name that denotes the filling of the Spirit and the great grace that God gives His own children.

 

In Jesus name,

Amen