It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians'. - Acts 11:26 - In each instance, the word Christian assumes that the person called by the name was an adherent or a follower of Christ. The designation of the early followers of Christ as Christians was initiated by the non-Christian population of Antioch.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, [Paul] and when he found him Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church [Meaning doubtful. Possibly 'they worked together', 'they were received (by the church)', that is, were guests of the church.] a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians". - Acts 11:26 -
Originally it may have been a term of derision. Eventually, however, Christians used it of themselves as a name of honour, not of shame. Prior to their adoption of the name, the Christians called themselves believers. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ increased steadily. - Acts 5;12b-16 -
* THE EARLIEST MISSIONS * About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing... - Brothers or Saints - Acts 6:1-7; - Acts 9:1-19 - names which also continued to be used. In this impressive way the word of the Lord Jesus Christ spread more and more widely and successfully. - Acts chapters 6 to 19 -
They all [Here, it seems, not the apostles but all the faithful] used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. [Rather than 'More and more joined (the community) as believers in the Lord'. Cf. 11:23-24] So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured. - Acts 5:12b-16 -
Foundation of the church of Antioch
Those who had escaped during the persecution that happened because of Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus to them as well. The Lord Jesus Christ helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, [Paul] and when he found him Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church [Meaning doubtful. Possibly 'they worked together', 'they were received (by the church)', that is, were guests of the church.] a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians". - Acts 11:19-26 -
In modern times the name Christian has been somewhat emptied of its true meaning as a follower of Christ. To some today, Christian means little or nothing, however, its original meaning is a noble one.
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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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