It’s an interesting fact that, according to the Book of Acts, Jesus’ disciples were first named Christians by others because of their prominent and obvious witness.
Many times through history various groups have been identified by their actions by those who observed them. The Methodists of John Wesley’s ministry would be an example of this.
He always considered himself a member of the Church of England, despite their antipathy towards his ministry, and did not seek to create another denomination.
In fact, he was not very complementary towards the notion of denominations for clear reasons. There is only one Body of Christ. Division is not to be considered a welcoming option, despite disagreements over methodology, mission, or even doctrine, neither is schism.
But those around saw them the way in which Wesley’s movement was developing followers by the thousands, being influential to a large scale, and, because of their clearly defined methodology, called them ‘Methodists,’ and it has stuck.
Persecution term
It’s traditionally thought that the word ‘Christian’ was not used to describe believers by the unsaved as a complementary term.
The Gentile nations saw the disciples of Christ as His followers, noting the exponential growth of the early Church and the particular characteristics of the movement, and sought to give them a tag.
The term seems to have originated as a negative identifying mark. It certainly wasn’t, originally, meant to be complementary. At the same time, the Jewish religious communities considered the disciples to be followers of a Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5), again, with negative connotations, considering them a cult.
As a result, the early disciples suffered persecution for their faith. In His epistles, Peter hints at suffering for being considered to be Christians, and gives the solution.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
1 Peter 4:16
However, the word ‘Christian’ became one of identifying marks of the Body of Christ and believers continue to use the term to this day. It says that we are of Christ and therefore followers of the Messiah.
It’s a badge once used as a derogatory remark that has become a symbol of who we are and of the separation between the world of the lost and those who are dedicated to following the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are we still full on believers?
One of the great lessons we can take from these instances is that the believers were so completely full on for Christ that they were seen and noticed by the world and given identifying tags accordingly, even if the terms used were initially considered an insult.
Being ‘full on’ means to be completely dedicated to a cause. Our cause is Christ and His instructions to win souls and make disciples everywhere, regardless of persecution, opposition or the derision of those who consider us to be overly zealous in our approach.
Jesus told us that we should not hide the light of the gospel under a basket, or be anything else but fully committed to the evangelisation of the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Our message is a letter of love and hope to a fallen world. The thing is that the world doesn’t always know it is fallen until they hear the truth of their situation and the solution that is in Christ.
When we live according to the precepts of the Bible and become the witnesses God has called us to be, we begin to stand out as different to the world, and even a threat to their perceived equilibrium.
On fire for God
Being lukewarm is not, according to Jesus, an option. He will spit out the lukewarm. He wants us to be hot for the gospel (Rev.3:16), on fire for God. ‘Hot’ is another way of saying ‘full on.’
When that fervent heat of commitment goes out into our communities it will be noticed. It may even cause friction, but along with the friction it will bring great attraction for others.
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
And, yes, we may be called names, some derogatory, some simply banter, others maybe more complementary. Being called something isn’t such a bad thing when we recall that the early Church suffered the same persecution, and triumphed in the end, even if it meant dying for the cause.
They gave everything. Nothing else mattered but the spread and publishing of the good news, and convincing people of their need of Christ.
Being identified as Christian is a badge of honour, regardless of the way in which it is pronounced.
The question is, then, are we full on enough to be considered people of faith, disciples of Jesus, a radical group of zealots for the cause of the gospel, God’s own people sent into the world as witnesses of Christ, and bearers of the testimonies of hope, grace and love?
