By
Shelby G. Floyd
Credit: Google Images
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
