Christianity is the life and teaching that belong to Jesus Christ
—
the Name the disciples were first called at Antioch.
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
If anyone suffers as a Christian,
let him not be ashamed,
but let him glorify God in that name.
The word is not a brand invented in a workshop.
It is what the street called people who would not stop speaking of Christ.
Almost you persuade me to be a Christian,
Agrippa said.
Persuasion was the point.
A crucified and risen Lord is the center.
Everything else is furniture.
The Book’s own name for the people is disciples, saints, brothers, the Way, those who call on the name of the Lord. Christian appears three times. Antioch gave the nickname. Peter told sufferers to wear it without shame. Agrippa heard Paul’s defense and named the thing he was brushing off. That is enough to define it.
Christianity is not a civilization first. It is not a voting bloc, a diet, or a childhood memory. It is Christ—who He is, what He did, what He commands. God the Son made flesh, crucified for sins, raised on the third day, seated, coming. Repent and believe the gospel. Be baptized. Abide. Make disciples of all nations.
The world will load the word with empires, crimes, and slogans. Some of that history is shame we must tell the truth about. None of it is the definition. If Christ is not risen, the name is empty. If He is risen, the name is glory even when it costs. Do not let the label outrun the Lord. Do not drop the label to keep a softer room. Glorify God in that name.
- First called Christians means the city noticed a people attached to a Person.
- Suffer as a Christian assumes the name can draw fire. Shame is refused.
- Agrippa’s almost is how close a man can come and still not come.
- The Way was the older street-name. Christ is the reason for both.
- Furniture—calendars, buildings, parties—must not become the house.
- Rise or the faith is vain. Paul already ran that sentence.
- Disciple is the verb under the noun. Called people follow.
- The Name – Christian; of Christ; first at Antioch.
- The Person – Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.
- The Call – Repent; believe; be baptized; follow.
- The People – Disciples; the Way; one body.
- The Cost – Suffer as a Christian; do not be ashamed.
- The Mission – All nations; teaching them to obey.
- The Test – If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.
- Acts 11:26 – For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
- 1 Peter 4:16 – Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
- Acts 26:28-29 – And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
- Acts 9:2 – Letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound.
- Acts 11:21, 23-24 – A great number who believed turned to the Lord… he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14, 17 – Christ died for our sins… He was buried… He was raised on the third day… If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
- Matthew 28:18-20 – All authority… Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
- Acts 4:12 – There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
- Luke 9:23 – If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
- John 14:6 – I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Acts 17:6-7 – These men who have turned the world upside down… saying that there is another king, Jesus.
- Philippians 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Almost you persuade me to be a Christian. I would to God that all who hear me might become such as I am.
Christ died for our sins. He was raised on the third day. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.
Go and make disciples of all nations. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
To live is Christ. I have been crucified with Christ.
Do not inherit the word and skip the Lord. Christianity is not a mood from your grandparents. It is Christ. Believe Him. Follow Him. Wear the name without shame. Persuade others while it is still called today.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.