Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church… And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Before this time they seem to have had no recognized name. Others may have called them "Nazarenes," or perhaps "Galilmans." They spoke of their teaching as "the Way," but do not seem to have found any other name for themselves than that of "disciples." It was left to circumstances to provide a name which all might accept, and, though the origin of the name "Christian is very strange, its appropriateness has been universally recognized. The very essence of the gospel is the presentation of Christ to men, and the pressure of his claims to men's love and trust; and therefore those who receive Christ as their Savior, and obey him as their Lord, are properly denominated Christians." It is usual to call disciples after the name of their master or teacher, as may be seen in the terms "Mohammedan," "Buddhist," "Wesleyan," etc. Sometimes classes of men are named after the central principle which they have adopted. This we cannot do, because our central principle is "Christ" - not even some truth about Christ, but Christ himself. So we can have no name but that which the people of Antioch found when they discovered how prominently Christ was set forth in the early preaching. I. THE THOUGHT OF THOSE WHO FIRST NAMED THE DISCIPLES "CHRISTIANS." It has often been pointed out that the name was started as a nickname. The idea of making so much of One who was known to have been crucified as a malefactor and impostor may well have excited the ridicule of humorous people, and we know how constantly the disciples were taunted with worshipping the Crucified. A caricature of the early times has been discovered, representing a person, with the head of an ass, stretched upon a cross, and a figure kneeling before it. Underneath is this inscription: "Alexamenos worshipping his God." In this spirit the name was first given, much as the term "Methodists" was applied to the followers of Wesley. II. THE THOUGHT OF THOSE WHO ACCEPTED THE NAME, Perhaps in their modesty they did not think themselves worthy to bear their Master's name; but when others gave it to them they felt that they could accept it. And no name could be to them so honored. Their hesitation, however, might have arisen from another cause. To accept a distinctive title was to break away from Judaism, and take a position as a separate and independent sect. We can well understand how the disciples would hesitate to accept so defined a position. They thought of themselves as still Jews, seeking, some would say, the reformation of Judaism; and others would say, the spiritual fulfillment of Judaism; but anything savoring of sectarianism or separation would be distressing to them. Yet many times in Church history men have been compelled to take decided positions against their own wills, but their distinctness and separateness have proved to be for the world's permanent good. III. THE THOUGHT OF THOSE WHO NOW NEAR THE NAME. For so many persons its deeper significance has faded out. It is so universally applied, and made so all-inclusive, as to have become a meaningless term. And yet how full of force and inspiration it should be to us (1) for the sake of the history which the term embodies - the long story of Christian witness and struggle; and (2) for the depths of meaning which we may now find in it, for to us it may mean not merely "followers or disciples of Christ," but Christ-like men and women, who are daily being "changed into his image from glory to glory; and who want to be "like him in all things"! - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. |
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