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Read: Acts 11:19-30

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

What was it that happened to cause people to stop calling these followers of Jesus “disciples” and start calling them “Christians”? What is significant about that change? You have probably heard it before, but “Christian” literally means “little Christ’s”. ( The Greek word ‘Christianos’ has the ‘-ianos’ ending which is meant to create a diminutive form … “small or with affection for”) There was something that happened to cause people to begin to see God’s people as not just “followers” or “disciples” of Jesus… but actually as ones who loved Jesus and functioned as “little Christs” wherever they want! These are people who looked like Jesus not only in what they thought, but how they acted. Their lives looked like Jesus’ enough that it warranted a name change. They not only mimicked Jesus in what they abstained from… but also in what he did… enough so that people saw these “disciples” as proxies of Christ. The term “Christ” has always meant “the anointed one of God”… we are “little anointed ones of God”. We are CHRISTIANS.

We see here again a pretty plain picture of what it looks like to live this way. This is yet another road map for the people of God… the “Church”. You might be surprised at what it looks like to be a “Christian”:

Christians are “scattered” (v.19)

We are willing to MOVE into the unfamiliar… into new places and engage the people around us. We are not crushed by “persecution”. In fact, Christianity GROWS when hard pressed. Where are you moving?

Christians “preach the Lord Jesus” (v.20)

Sooner or later, you need to actually TALK ABOUT Jesus with those people around you. This means not only the people you are familiar with or are comfortable with (ie. “speaking the word to no one except the Jews”), but also those who you do not currently agree with and are “different” than you. (ie. “But there were some of them… who began speaking to the Greeks also.”) Who are you talking to?

Christians have the “hand of the Lord upon them”. (v.21)

This is probably the hardest thing for us to believe about ourselves. As Christians, God is dwelling within us. We have the hand of God upon us… upon our lives. This is how Jesus lived, as God’s “favorite”. (cf. Luke 2:40,52 Mark 1:11, Matthew 3:17) We are “in Christ” which means we are his favored ones as well. (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 3:1-11, Gal. 2:20) We will be used to help others whom God is calling “believe and turn to the Lord”.

Christians look out for each other. (v.22)

When the church in Jerusalem heard about the ministry in Antioch, they sent Barnabas. The church sent help… resources… a leader… to invest in those people in Antioch. They were unified as a team. They looked out for each other. Who are you encouraging to remain steadfast and true to the Lord? (cf. v.23) Who are you looking out for?

Christians manifest the “grace of God” in a way that can be “seen”; we live with PURPOSE (v.23)

When Barnabas shows up, he can observe / see the “grace of God” working in the midst of the people. This gave Barnabas a “resolute heart”. He earnestly preached to them to stay the course and “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”. You have a concrete “purpose” in this world as a Christian. Do you live your life with purpose?

Christians move towards being “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (v.24)

We cannot do what God calls us to without being “sure of what we hope for and with a conviction in what we cannot see”. (cf. Hebrews 11) We cannot be the witnesses that Christ calls us to be without the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (cf. Acts 1) We have been given the PERSON of the Holy Spirit, may we “fill” our lives with relationship and interaction with him. Are you full of faith and the Holy Spirit?

Christians TEACH each other. (v.26)

Barnabas and Saul came and taught these people consistently for an entire year. Could you imagine moving to a new city to teach those new believers there for a year straight? This moment seems to be a turning point… this is where the name change comes in. We cannot be “little Christs” without a willingness to learn and grow… and then share and teach those around us. Are you learning? Are you teaching?

Christians speak “driven by the Spirit” (v.27)

Agabus spoke with conviction and certainty driven by the Spirit. We speak to others as God speaks to us. This is always moving towards the BENEFIT of others… even if it is a correction in the moment. Agabus warned of the hard times ahead (famine) not to discourage them but to protect them. Are you willing to say what God calls you to say? What are you saying to others?

Christians are generous (v.29)

“So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” When Christians hear of need or see need coming, they “send relief” to each other “according to their ability”. Not everyone gave the same amount. Not everyone gave the same way. It was “according to their ability”. But everyone GAVE. They were all generous. There is no being a “little Christ” without giving generously. What are you giving?

This is what it looks like to go from being a “disciple” to being a Christian. All Christians are disciples… I am not sure all “disciples” are Christians if you know what I mean. It seems to be a progression. Believing… turning… following… and becoming a small version. I don’t want to push this too far, but I think it is exciting to think of. These attributes are not that cryptic. Pick one this week and ask the Lord to give you distinct opportunities to live like a “little Christ”. I love you guys. - JDP