OTHERS CALLED HIM, “THE CHRISTIAN” – WHAT DO PEOPLE CALL YOU?

Names are given to individuals and to places, with an explicit intention, to clearly identify that person, or the place, without any confusion. Names have meaning and purpose attached to it. Our Redeemer was give the name JESUS, because, He would save His people from their sins – Matthew 1:21.

The early disciples were called by different names, by different people…
– DISCIPLES (Acts 1:15)
– SAINTS (Acts 9:13)
– BELIEVERS (Acts 5:14)
– BROTHERS (Acts 6:3)
– WITNESSES (Acts 5:32)
– FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY (Acts 9:2)
– NAZARENES (Acts 24:5)

We find in Acts 11:26, a very different and distinct name, given to the disciples, by the people outside the Church…
– “26…And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
We find two more instances, where the disciples of the LORD Jesus were called, “Christians”…
– ‘Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” – Acts 26:28
– “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” – 1 Peter 4:16

The name Christian, is worth far more, than to merely identify who we are, in a religious sense. It is an honour be called Christians. It is a name, we are to live up to. We are to uphold, that name’s honour and dignity. For, we are called “Christians” – the followers of Christ Jesus, the Messiah.

History records for us that, Joseph Chiwatenhwa, a native Indian of Canada, of Huron tribe, is butchered, on 6th August of 1640, because he became a Christian. When his martyred body was brought to his cabin, his wife was silent, and said nothing for a few moments, then she speaks these words…
– “I have often heard him say ‘He who is the master of us all has so arranged it. What can we do about it?’”
Joseph Chiwatenhwa was so on fire for His Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ, that the other native Indians of Canada, simply called him, “the Christian.”

My dear brothers and sisters, OTHERS CALLED HIM, “THE CHRISTIAN” – WHAT DO PEOPLE CALL US? What do they think about us, and our faith? Do they see the LORD Jesus in us? Is our LORD demonstrably visible in our thoughts, words and deeds? May the LORD help us to be His true witnesses.