...And, Let every
one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity ( II Timothy 2:19).
.Disciples: First called disciples, in the ministry of our Lord.
Then, People of The
Way (9:2--that if he found any of this way; Acts 19:9--But when divers were
hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude; Acts 19:23 And the same time there
arose no small stir about that way;
22:4--And I persecuted this way
unto the death; 22:14--But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy; 24:22--And when Felix heard these things,
having more perfect knowledge of [that]
way
There was a change of: Leadership (Acts 9), Messsage (Acts 10:43), Baptism (Acts 10:48), Location (Acts 11:26), Ministry (Acts 13:1-4), so also, their Name. (Acts 11:26--And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch). A Christian is one who is like Christ; “called”, is the idea of “to take to oneself, or receive a name, based on the nature of one’s public business.”
But, as Jimmy Carter’s use of “born-again” established a new connotation, so the name CHRISTIAN is today corrupted.
I. It’s a DISTINCTIVE Name.
“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).
In the 3rd
century, Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, wrote to his frined Donatus: “It is a
bad world, Donatus...But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good
people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and
wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful
life.Tthey are despised and persecuted, but they care not...they have overcome
the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians...and I am one of them.
In all the world, only two religions: Works and Grace. Religion is natural and damnable. It is “Man’s effort to seek out and find God, and make himself acceptable to God, through a system of works, rituals and ceremonies.
Shroud of Turin discussion at
my brother Don’s. New scientific evidence that it is real (some chemical
substance “fooled” the carbon 14 testing). New process shows age, distinction
between the shroud and separate article, supposed to be the “napkin.”
Two problems: 1. We walk by faith, not by sight; 2. God preserving such evidence in the setting of the most vile of religious systems on earth.
Not the “infiltration” of the New Evangelicals, but “separation.”
Rescuing occupants from a burning house: One doesn’t go in and fellowshp, but stand outside and cry out to them.
Biblical position of independent Baptist churches. This Day , p.135.
We are not called to cleanup societies’ problems, but to save societies’ people.
II. It’s a DANGEROUS Name.
“Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Pt. 4: 16).
A. Reformation Period This Day p. 53
B. Colonial Days: This Day...
July 5, John Cotton, Puritan preacher, testified against Obadiah Holmes, over infant baptism; many stripes; “You have denied infant baptism, and deserve to die....”
1660, John Bunyan, 12 years in prison (England)
D. Til Jesus Comes...!!???
“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian”
(Acts 26:28).
Pilate’s question: Mt 27:22 “What shall I
do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
Conclusion: A Christian is
one who is like Christ. We seek to become so: A father and his small son
strolled down the street in Chicago past the place where a skyscraper was being
constructed..........men way up high.......son asked father “what are those
little boys doing way up there?” Dad replied...not little boys, and explained
how they look so small becase they are so far up. . Boy replied, “Then, Father,
when they get to heaven, there won’t be anything left of them.