The First Christians
Acts 11:19-26 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he 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."
As we examine this passage it is easy to see three outstanding things about these who were first called Christians. They had made a CHOICE for Christ. They had been CHANGED by Christ. They were accepting a CHALLENGE for Christ.
One dictionary definition of a Christian reads: "One who has accepted Christ and His way of life..." "Belonging to or a follower of Christ." In Antioch, a great trading city of the Roman Empire their sophisticated critics weren’t inventing a definitive or complimentary description of these simple followers of the man of Galilee. One might easily envision them as they passed by, stopping and pointing, and whispering in derision and scorn, "See the little Christs!" In every generation since this generation of the first Christians, true believers have always had their critics. In most generations their more severe critics eventually become their persecutors and even their murderers.
In this harsh and pagan city, cruelty was the norm. Prostitution, slavery, sensuality, sexual perversion, paganism and idolatry of every description were rampant. The simple, unpretentious behavior of these followers of the Galilean must have been a breath of fresh air in a sewer of wickedness. Their kind, compassionate and benevolent life style was, to say the least, radically different. Their cultural contemporaries could not understand their peculiar conduct.
Early historians tell of rampant infanticide in this era. Unwanted babies would be discarded upon rubbish heaps and left to die. It is said Christian pastors and church leaders would make their rounds and pick them up. In order to save them, they take them to the homes of members of the congregation. Later, rumors of cannibalism were based upon this practice. Such a culture could not understand such real Christian kindness and care.
Yes, they were different people. They were peculiar people. As is often the case, man’s defensive mechanism prompt’s him to condemn those who were by example and deed showing the exceeding sinfulness of man. They were salting the world around them and the salt smarted. They were shining their lights into the corners and crevices of sinful darkness and that light made their contemporaries squirm. As our Savior predicted, men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. They resent the light that faithful and genuine Christians shine upon their sinful deeds.
Obviously, their brand of Christianity must have been somewhat different from the general brand we see today. Witnessing was the norm. It was assumed that a follower would really follow the basic instructions of the handbook of their Founder and Guide. They were people of the Book. There were no denominations or divisions. They were all members of a simple assembly of Bible-believing and practicing baptized believers. They had been scripturally immersed and were trying to follow the precepts and teachings of their Founder. They wished to truly observe the "all things" Christ had commanded in His Great Commission. This was God’s way then. This is God’s way now, if we are also to call ourselves Christians.
When asked about their peculiar way of life they surely followed the admonition of David: "Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy." (Psalm 107:2) When asked about the obvious hope that was in them it can be assumed that responded as Peter would later instruct: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (I Peter 3:15) This in itself is a descriptive analysis of the real Christian life. It defines why they were different.
If we really strictly, strongly and sincerely follow the same pattern today, we can also expect repercussions. Those who resent the light we bring into our dark world of sin do not always remain silent. Perhaps such commonly used Australian cultural terms as: "Bible bashers and wowsers," confirm this. Perhaps the increasing ridicule of real Christians by the media of our day also confirms this. In recent weeks we have noticed what seems to be an increased reflection of this as we knock on doors trying to share Christ with those who are lost in our community.
Are followers of Christ today allowed to be any less faithful and committed than these first who were called Christians? Are we justified in using different terms of reference? Can we change the rules in the interest of convenience and contemporary cultural standards? Is our world any less pagan than our predecessors? Can we be called a Christian nation just because we use bit of Bible terminology in our language and practice a few customs and traditions that have Christian connections or connotations?
If things are all that different in our culture, where are all the Christians on this, the Lord’s Day? The first day of the week. The resurrection day. The day He said we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together? How do we identify ourselves as Christians today?
When I enlisted in the armed forces many years ago, I was given this advice, "Avoid bars, brothels, and unchristian activities and you will eventually find yourself with fellow Christians." I found this to be true. I well remember my first Christmas overseas. While so many around me were "celebrating" with the wrong spirits, I found myself with a small group of fellow Christians doing what Christians do at Christmas time. That’s how it should always be.
A Christian is not defined by what we think, it is what the Bible says. It is not what the world sees as right, but what the Word states is right. It is not what religious leaders propose, but what God has purposed. It is sad that many people who claim to be Christians do not seem to have an acquaintance with the founder of the movement. We need to use the Bible as our source book for our definition of Christianity. If we do so, we may also be justifiably called Christians for they same reasons they were. What were these reasons?
THEY HAD MADE A CHOICE FOR CHRIST. Notice these words: ""Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."
Here we see the importance of personal choice in the matter of salvation. The initial basic elements of becoming a true follower of Jesus are made crystal clear. These elements are: conviction, repentance, and faith. The gospel was preached (told forth or witnessed) with great power. The hand of the Lord (conviction of the Holy Spirit) blessed their witness. A great number made the choice to turn unto the Lord (repent) and believe (place their faith in Christ). These individuals had clearly made a choice for Christ.
This simple historical account also confirms the absolute necessity that the lost be confronted with the gospel in order to make such a choice. It would seem God used the persecution of the church at Jerusalem by Saul of Tarsus to get the gospel out and turn the Roman world upside down for the Lord. (See Acts 8:1-4) Luke makes it clear that many of the thousands who were members of the church at Jerusalem went out into their known world to be witnesses for the Lord. They had remained in Jerusalem but now the Lord made sure they went into the uttermost parts of the earth as He had commanded. (Acts 1:8)
Paul would later say to the church at Rome: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Ro. 10:13-17)
This early history could not make the New Testament teaching of every Christian’s responsibility to be an effective witness and evangelist any clearer. After all our Saviour said, ". . . ye (all of you) shall be witnesses unto me .." (Acts 1:8) That was God’s way at Antioch in the first century. That is God’s way on the Gold Coast in the twenty-first century.
But when all is said and done a lost individual is faced with the need to make a personal choice in order to be saved from their sins and receive God’s gift of everlasting life. Man has a personal volition and will in this matter. God is not in the coercion or arm twisting business. Jesus said: " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:20) This simple statement makes it clear that Jesus is not a gate crasher. He must be invited in by a personal choice. The door opens from the inside.
A well known painter by the name of Holman once painted a beautiful portrayal of Jesus standing outside a garden door. When he showed the finished painting to some friends, they complimented him on his work. But one hesitatingly pointed out a clear flaw in the painting. The door had no handle. The painter simply said, "It only opens from the inside." This painting has been reprinted on countless gospel tracts to graphically present the idea of Rev. 3:20.
Clearly a choice must be made. The choice must emanate from the very deepest recesses of a person’s heart. (See Ro. 10:9-10) A mere mental assent will not suffice. After all, James said that devils or demons believe in God and tremble because of His reality and their coming certain judgment. A true heart choice should always lead to action. As Paul says, it should lead to a willing and open confession of Christ as Saviour and Lord. Such a confession and scriptural baptism are clearly linked. Baptism is God’s ordained way of confessing Christ before the world. (See Ro. 6:3-5) Such a true choice and confession should lead to a lifelong committal of service unto the Lord. (See Eph. 2:9-10, Luke 9:58-62)
THEY HAD BEEN CHANGED BY CHRIST. This passage focuses upon the conversion or change that transpires when one really becomes a Christian. It is clear that the reason they were called "little Christs" in scorn and derision was because of the observable radical changes in their lives. Change that was clear to all around them. A change in attitude. Their love for each other and for the lost was clear. It is Pliny who is reported to have remarked about Christians with these words: "My, how they love one another." This primary mark of discipleship must have been easy to see in their lives. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
There was a change in their reason and purpose for living. Paul summed it up with these words: " For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain." (Phil. 1:21) "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." (Gal. 2:20) The natural selfishness of their flesh had been transformed by a selflessness that can only be explained by a transformation by the power and Spirit of the living God. Living out the very essence of the Golden Rule, loving and serving God by loving and serving others, would have made this change amply clear to the selfish, sceptical and scornful world around them. It is still so today.
There are many stories and examples of such spiritual change or conversion in the Bible. In the ministry of Jesus, the story of Zaccheus tells of a crooked tax collector who had his greed changed to generosity. The woman at the well was changed from an adulterous woman to a fervent witness for the Lord. The same could be said of Mary Magdelene. The hopelessly insane man of Gadarra was changed into a normal person of complete sanity who was also a willing witness for the Lord. The Philippian jailer was changed overnight into a dedicated disciple. But the most classical example of such conversion can be found in the story of Saul of Tarsus’ conversion. This wicked and hated persecutor and murderer of Christians was converted and changed into the great apostle and evangelist that the Lord used in a mighty way in turning the world upside down.
If we are true Christians, change should be just as radical and observable in us today. One pastor tells of a man with whom he was sharing the gospel saying, "I would be saved, but I am afraid I could not live it. I don’t know if I could give up my mates at the pub etc." The pastor replied "Not to worry. When you are really saved you will be changed. You will not have to give them up. They will give you up." I have heard testimony to this effect many times through the years.
THEY ACCEPTED A CHALLENGE FOR CHRIST. Becoming a true Christian in those days was a challenge in and of itself. Those who were dispersed and went forth preaching the word surely carried the scars, both physically and emotionally, of the terrible persecutions that had scattered them. Even in more basic societies, news travels and bad news seems to travel more swiftly. It would seem that none of those coming to Christ would have been ignorant of the ultimate price they might have to pay. The scorn and derision shown by their friends and neighbors when they gave them the name of "little Christs" was just the tip of the great iceberg of terrible persecution to come. Just down a few verses further we have these words, "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also." (Acts 12:1-3)
This context and environment is the basis of the challenge issued to them by Barnabas: "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." The idea of cleaving unto the Lord is basic. It implies being faithful to Him. Holding on to Him and His Word and Way. The word for cleave could be envisioned as a gluing. Sticking closer than a brother. It implies a complete committal and dedication through thick and thin.
A really committed Christian today is one who wholeheartedly accepts this challenge. He understands and accepts that although we are promised an abundant life, we will not be borne to heaven on a bed of flowery ease with our heads resting upon a soft pillow of apathy. We are not told we can always be at ease in Zion. The real committed Christian accepts the challenge that he is not better than his Master. He said: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:18-19)
It is true that all who call themselves Christians do not accept such a challenge. Some are fair weather disciples. When the going gets tough they shoot through. It has always been so. Even in the ministry of Jesus. (See John 6:64-69) It is small consolation, but when I see those who call themselves disciples turning back under my ministry, I sometimes am tempted to say, "Am I better than my Master?" I also sometimes think of the fickle and faithless ones that turned their back upon Paul in the hour of his greatest need. They would not accept the challenge of standing with the great apostle when he faced his final test. (See II Tim. 4:9-18)
I read a story many years ago about a village in old Russia. I know not where or when. This village was beset by a plague of ferocious bears. Because of unusual weather, the bears were ravenously hungry and began to attack the villagers anytime they ventured out into the countryside. After the loss of a few children, an emergency village meeting was called. Discussion and debate went on for hours about a solution to the problem. Finally a solution was proposed. Some hunter in the village needed to just go out and confront the bears and do combat with them. But who? Igor, one of the villagers, who was quite small in stature, nominated Ivan. Ivan was a giant among men. It seemed logical and all agreed. But Ivan slowly stood up and said, "I will go and try with one condition." "What is that?" someone asked. "If Igor will go with me." Igor jumped up quickly and said, "Oh no. Bears are big. Ivan is large and strong. But I am so small. What could I do?" Ivan looked at him and replied, "There are small bears out there too, you know!"
Is that not the problem that plagues Christianity today? Let someone else do it? Sometimes sincere Christians tend to say, "But I cannot be like those Christians we read about in the Bible. They were different. (That’s the point) I can’t preach. I haven’t been called to be a missionary. I can’t! I can’t! God can change our "I can’ts" to "I will." That’s what true conversion meant for Paul. He hit the ground running, so to speak, crying out, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" God has a challenge for everyone. A place for each of us to witness and serve.
How about you? Have you made a CHOICE FOR CHRIST? Have you BEEN CHANGED BY CHRIST? Have you ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE OF REALLY SERVING CHRIST? "
