What Is A Christian?

Acts 11:26 ...... And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

- WHEN A COIN has been so long in use that its impression is almost effaced, it is not easy to recapture its appearance as it came from the mint.

- Words are like coins — they are worn down by usage, and not only their appearance, but their meaning is altered — in some cases entirely changed, as in the word "prevent."

Prevent - 15 century

• Pre event

• "to act in anticipation of," "come before”

• Today Prevent to keep from occurring; hinder

"Christian" appears only three times

- Ac 11:26, 26:28, 1 Pe 4:16

- Wearing a cross a piece of jewelry except when it comes to the ACLU

“Christian” – Word usage has worn down

• Someone of European descent?

• A persecutor of Jews?

• Someone who votes for only the most conservative Republicans?

• Born in American or from Christian family

- The NT use of this term indicates that it was a term of derision, a term placed upon Christ's followers by their critics.

- First called Christian at Antioch

- Antioch combined Greek, Roman, and Jewish elements

- "Christian," used here for the first time, was more a mark of universality than any of the other names — such as Nazarenes, Galileans, brethren, disciples

- By "Christian' they were united.

- Recover the markings of the coin. On one face of it may be found the word "Union," for to be a Christian is to be —

1. United to Christ

1. "Christian" is "Christ's Man"

a. Association with Him — points to Person, not system;

Union with Him — is twofold:

(1) Union of Life:

(a) His life becomes ours — Christ in us

Galatians 2:20 (AV)

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

(b) It begins — we are "born"

John 1:13 (AV)

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(c) It grows — we feed "on Him in our hearts by faith"

• He is the showbread in the sanctuary

• Worship

2 Peter 3:18 (AV)

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

(2) Union of Love:

1 John 4:19 (AV)

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

• a Sufficient Sacrifice; In us

• a Living Power; Under us

• a Sure Foundation ; Around us

• a Wall of Fire; Over us

• a Blessed Master ; Beside us

• a Present Friend; Before us

• an Eternal Hope.

The other face of the coin is found the word, "Unction," for a Christian is also to be —

2. Unction by Christ

1. Since "Christ" means "Anointed One," so "Christians" means "anointed ones."

2. Anointing oil in O. T. at consecration of prophets, priests, and kings, symbolizing Holy Spirit;

3. As Jesus was thus anointed

Acts 10:38 (AV)

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

- So also His followers

1 John 2:20 (AV)

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:27 (AV)

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

- Receiving Holy Spirit for —

a. Purity:

• Cleansing heart from defilement

• Clearing mind of darkness

b. Power:

• To walk with God — in fellowship and intercession (cf. Mic. 3:8);

(c) For witness and service (cf. Acts 1:8);

• Nothing less than this is to be a Christian.

Conclusion

Flashlight Illustration – Giving power for purpose