One of the interesting facts we learn from Acts 11:19-30 is that the followers of Jesus were first called ‘Christians’ there. This nickname, presumably bestowed on believers because they spoke so much about Jesus Christ that that was the term most associated with them, has now become a universal term for believers, but in those early days, there were many other terms:
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disciples (Acts 6:1)
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saints (Acts 9:13)
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‘brothers’ (Acts 1:16)
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believers (Acts 10:45)
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those being saved (Acts 2:47)
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people of the Way (Acts 9:2)
The word is only used in two other places in the New Testament (Acts 26:28 and 1 Pet 4:16) but is now probably the most recognised way of declaring affinity to Jesus Christ.
There’s a challenge in the word, however. To be a ‘Christ-one’ is to be like Christ: not only to follow His teaching, but to reflect His character and life. Mahatma Gandhi is reputed to have said that he liked the Christ of Christianity but was not at all sure he liked the Christians who bore his name. Sadly, that can often be the case. We are all sinful, fallible, imperfect people, but as we allow the life of Christ to live in us, we come to take on His bearing and His nature. God’s purpose for every one of His children is that we are ‘to be conformed to the image of his Son.’ (Rom 8:29)
That will mean letting go of our need for control, to be first, to be the lord of all and will mean embracing sacrifice, self-denial and servanthood. Are we growing in our Christian journey? Are we becoming more like Christ?
