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
Do you have any titles in front of your name? How about letters after your name? Some people are pretty proud of those titles and letters. They are glad to show them, and let people know who they are and what they have accomplished. I don’t have any degrees, but I do have the right to tack the letters SCJP after my name, and it gives me much satisfaction that I was able to achieve a Sun certification as a Java programmer. Not many people that I know have that. But those letters and degrees that we can collect to ourselves fade into insignificance when we consider the designation mentioned in our text today, the title of Christian. And it’s not a title that we earned or deserved, it was conferred upon us by the grace of God. But it is a title that the God of Grace wants us to live in the good of and in the power of.
In 1960, the Province of New Brunswick determined that the town of Bathurst and some surrounding areas should be amalgamated into a city. The change was to take place on New Year’s day. On New Year’s Eve, a woman from Bathurst went into the hospital to deliver her twin girls. One of those babies was born before midnight, the other was born after midnight. One baby was born in a town, the other in a city. One was a tax deduction for her father for 1960, the other was not. One was allowed to start school at age four, the other had to wait until she was almost six. For two tiny babies, looking almost identical in their cribs, there was a huge difference in their status. It’s even more so with you and me. We might look much like people around us, but there is a vast difference, as far as God and eternity are concerned.
Our text tells us that these folks in Antioch were Christians first. Regardless of what their profession or status in life, regardless of their age, race, or political persuasion, they were Christians first. What a wonderful New Year’s resolution for you and me today, as we look into the coming year. How much different would our lives be, and how much more glory would be brought to our Lord if we made it our goal to be Christians first! That means making the fact that we belong to Christ the number one factor in every facet of our lives. Let the reality of being a Christian determine how I conduct myself within my family, within my Assembly, within my workplace or classroom, within my community.
Our text tells us these folks were Christians first in Antioch. It was right at home that they were identified as Christians. And so it should be with us. Those who know us best and work with us the most intimately should know that we are Christians.
If you were formally charged this year with being a Christian, will there be enough evidence to convict you? -Jim MacIntosh