On Being A Christian

An acquaintance one time told me that it was not proper to call oneself a
Christian. He said that the term Christian, was one given to the disciples
of Christ as a term of contempt! He had been taught that people in the
Bible were only called Christians as a way to make fun of them. Where he
got his information, I do not know. Certainly God knows whether or not a
word is contemptuous, and He had no problem using it of His people.

The word Christian is found only three times in the New Testament. It is
first found in Acts 11:26, where it identifies the faithful disciples at
Antioch. It is used as a term of honor, telling us that these were the
first disciples to be called Christians. We next read of it in reference
to Paul's defence before Agrippa. After Paul speaks to persuade Agrippa
of the truth of Christ, Agrippa replies: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Christian." (Acts 26:28) Agrippa does not seem to be using this as a term
of Contempt.

The last time we read of it in the Bible is in Peter's first epistle. It
seems those to whom Peter was writing were undergoing forms of persecution.
Peter wanted them to know that in so doing, they were following in the
footsteps of Jesus Christ. No one likes to be persecuted, but at least if
we are to suffer for Christ, we gain strength by knowing that it brings
Glory to Him (1 Peter 4:14). Peter went on to say, "Yet if any man suffer as
a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
(1 Peter 4:16) Peter said that we could glorify God by being
counted worthy to suffer for Him, as one who follows Jesus Christ.

The term Christian then, is not one of contempt, but one of Honor. It
honors Christ, whom we seek to follow. It honors God, who has given us this
name to show our relationship with Him, through Christ. It honors us, that
we are counted worthy by God to partake of this relationship. Let us live
so that we truly do honor God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

"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."
 (Acts 11:26)>>