Category: Christian

CLASS DISTINCTIONS

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Shelby G. Floyd

In the latter part of the life of Christ, his disciples were concerned about the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1)? They had been discussing among themselves for some time which of them would be accounted greatest in the coming kingdom. Their conception of the kingdom was worldly in nature. Jesus had just announced to them his impending suffering and death in Jerusalem; but they could not hear and understand what he had to say because of their concern over who would be the greatest.

Jesus answered them on this occasion by calling a little child unto him, and sitting him in the midst of them, saying,

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-14).

One of the ways in which men exalted and distinguished themselves from other people in the days of Christ was by the use of honorary titles. Since the apostles were concerned about which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus warned them about wearing honorary titles to exalt and distinguish them above other men. This was clearly wrong, and Jesus condemned such in no uncertain terms. He said that they loved,

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matt. 23:7-10 NKJV).

Let us be content with the affectionate and simple appellate “brethren” or “Christian”:

“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
shelby@thefloyds.net

ALMOST PERSUADED

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Shelby G. Floyd

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King Agrippa once replied to Paul, and said, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). If the name Christian be not of divine origin, and be not approved by God, why then would Paul be trying to persuade King Agrippa to be a Christian? And why was Agrippa almost persuaded to be a Christian?

ISAIAH PROPHESIED A NEW NAME

A name is used to distinguish, describe or designate a person, place or thing: therefore, a name is a very important thing. Approximately 700 years before Christ came into the world, Isaiah, the Messianic prophet, spoke of the time when God would give his people a new name:

Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off (Isaiah 56:5).

THE DISCIPLES WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS

During the first century when the church spread out to the Gentiles, the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas that he should go to Antioch. And when he came to Antioch and saw God’s favor upon the Gentiles, he exhorted them all that with purpose of heart, they should cleave to the Lord. It was during this time that great numbers of Gentiles were coming into the church that Barnabas departed from Antioch to Tarsus to find Paul. And the Bible declares,

“And when he had found him, be 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).

Since the name “Christian” is a name of divine origin, let all of the followers of Christ pay attention to the admonition of the apostle Peter, “…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16). We pray that many will be all together persuaded to become a Christian and glorify the Great Jehovah, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Copyright © 2019 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

shelby@thefloyds.net

HELLO, MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN

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Shelby G. Floyd

Today, I’m studying with you about the new name Christian. When God called his people Israel, he gave them a new name. He changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Down through the ages, when God has given people a new commission or a new work, many times he has changed their names and has given them a name which signified some new work upon which they were about to embark. So it seems logical and likely that God would give his people a new name when Jesus established his church, and this he actually did, and that name is Christian. Continue reading “HELLO, MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN” →

NOT ASHAMED CHRISTIANS

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Shelby G. Floyd

not-ashamed

The church that Jesus promised to build started in Jerusalem. The gospel was to be preached first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria. Finally it was to be taken to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). Later we have the record of Cornelius the Gentile being converted (Acts 10:1-48). From there the disciples preached in Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus and Antioch in Syria (Acts 11:19).

When the church in Jerusalem heard about the wonderful results, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. He did a great work, but realized he needed some help. So he went to Tarsus in Celica and brought Paul back to the church at Antioch. The hand of God was with the disciples in Antioch in Syria.

FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS IN ANTIOCH

According to Acts 11:26, Barnabas and Saul assembled themselves with the church for a year. These two men also taught a great many people. “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Who called them Christians? The same people who assembled with the church for a year and taught much people, were the ones who called the disciples Christians first in Antioch.

THE NAME CHRISTIAN IS NEW NAME OF ISAIAH

The name Christian is of divine origin. God gave this name through the inspired apostle Paul and Barnabas. It is the new name promised by Isaiah the prophet:

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:1-4).

CHRISTIAN = OF OR BELONGING TO CHRIST

The word Christian means one who is of or belongs to the Lord. Whenever the suffix “ian” is added to a noun in connotes “of or belonging to.” For example an American is one who is of or belonging to America! Therefore a “Christian” is one who is “of or belonging” to Christ. It is a name that we should wear proudly.

Christian people today are being persecuted and put to death in many parts of the world. This also happened shortly after the first century in the Pagan Roman Empire. In many ways the nations today are becoming paganist and hostile to Christians. But the apostle Peter addressed the suffering people of God in the first century:

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Pet. 4:16 NKJV).

Let us all glorify our God as a “Christian!”

Copyright © 2016 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

heartland-church-assembly

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142