What's in a Name?

Chuckle: "Birthdays are good for you -- the more you have, the longer you live!"

Quote: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” --William Ashley (Billy) Sunday

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26 NIV).

The story is told about Alexander The Great, the great military leader of the fourth century B.C. He once confronted a cowardly soldier and asked him his name. The soldier replied, "Alexander." Then Alexander the Great said to him: "Change your ways or change your name."

Names are important and often have significant meanings. This was especially true in Biblical times. Today, we bear the name Christian because of our relationship to Christ. But we must remember that being called "Christian" does not make us Christians. As I reflected on the story about Alexander the Great, I began to wonder if my actions as a Christian would cause Jesus to say: "Change your ways or change your name." Do we live up to the meaning of the Name we bear -- Christians?

It's interesting that from our text we know that the followers of Christ did not give themselves the title of Christians -- it was given to them by the non-Christian world because their lives reflected the teachings and characteristics of Christ. In the Scriptures, Christians were called various names that defined them as Christians and described their relationship to Jesus Christ. These terms are still used today to define "Christian."

Believers: This term is often used to describe a belief system that Christians espouse. We believe in God, the Creator. We believe the Bible -- God's Holy Word. We believe that we are sinners and that we desperately need a savior. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is our Savior because of his atoning sacrifice on Calvary's Cross where he paid the penalty for our sins. We believe we have been saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that God's presence lives within us in the form of his Holy Spirit. We believe in the bodily return of Jesus Christ one day and that eternity in heaven awaits all true Christians.

Disciples: This term means a student, apprentice, and follower of Christ. A disciple is submissive to God as Jesus was submissive to the will of his Father when he died for the sins of the world. A disciple's actions are patterned after the life modeled by Jesus when he was here on earth. This includes living a life of love, humility, and service to others. Disciples strive to conform their lives to the will of the Christ they serve.

Saints: This is a Biblical term which describes all genuine Christians. Paul often began his writings with the words like: "To the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi," etc. It means we have been sanctified (set apart) and made holy for God's service. It means we should live saintly lives. It means we should live up to the name of Christ that we bear. We are to be holy, pure, and clean -- not contaminated by the evil of the world around us. We are to be like Christ.

Witnesses: Speaking to his followers, Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV). In New Testament times, it was not uncommon that those who were faithful in carrying out this mandate laid down their lives for Christ as martyrs. When threatened for preaching in the name of Jesus, "Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'" (Acts 5:29 NIV). On another occasion, they said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20 NIV). As Christ's witnesses we are charged with the mission of telling others what we have experienced in Christ -- to give our testimonies. Are you and I living up to the name, "Christian?' What's in a name?

Love, Jerry & Dotse