“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”~ Acts 11:26
“…concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.”~ Acts 28:22
In Paul’s day as in ours, there were different religious sects — The sect of the Sadducee, The sect of the Pharisees, and there rose up one that was neither accepted or tolerated by the world or religion. They were called, “Christians,” of which “the sect of the Nazarenes” was associated.
The word Christian is found three times in the Bible. The first in Acts 11:22, “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” The second in the same book, 26:28, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” And in1Pet. 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
James 2:7, makes an indirect reference to the Christian name, in his little book. “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?”
The suffix “ian” joined onto the word Christian carries a precious thought. It denotes relation or resemblance.
Unknowing to them, the world, when they tagged God’s elect with that name were admitting to two great truths: that we are related to Jesus, and that we resemble Him in actions and attitude. That is, we are of the same family and have family characteristics.
As my dear old mentor used to say so often, “ISN’T IT GREAT BEING A CHRISTIAN?”
by an Aged Christian