Are we Called Christians?
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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.
Acts 11:26
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian.
Acts 26:28
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Ephesians 3:
with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 11:26
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian.
Acts 26:28
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Ephesians 3:
It would seem that when they were first called 'CHRISTIANS' it referred to Disciples (and Paul) who were 'SABBATH-Observers.....which of course has TOTALLY CHANGED today where it now refers to 'sunday-observers'.
It is NOT the WORD ''CHRISTIAN'' as first intended that was wrong but HOW PEOPLE have changed in their belief while still using the original name. Christians have been tricked into changing their God....that is what happened !
It is NOT the WORD ''CHRISTIAN'' as first intended that was wrong but HOW PEOPLE have changed in their belief while still using the original name. Christians have been tricked into changing their God....that is what happened !
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A rather strange reaction if you are a Christian. That word simply means "Christ-one". And if the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, it was a recognition of who they were, by those who were Christians as well as others.
Some people claim that this was derogatory. But the context makes it clear that it was NOT.
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.
The context shows that (1) during the Apostolic period, Antioch was a major Christian center, just like Jerusalem, (2) Paul and Barnabas recognized this and decided to spend a whole year with the Christians there, teaching them Bible truth and Gospel truth, and (3) those who were formerly called "disciples of Christ" were now called "Christians".
The name "Christian" spread throughout the region, so that even Agrippa knew what it meant (although he failed to be converted). Thus Christians and Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, and became the official religion of the Byzantine Empire. Eventually all of Europe became *Christian*. And later on all of North and South America. (Which does not necessarily mean that everyone had experienced the New Birth, but it does mean that Christian influence was evident in all aspects of life in these regions).
Some people claim that this was derogatory. But the context makes it clear that it was NOT.
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.
The context shows that (1) during the Apostolic period, Antioch was a major Christian center, just like Jerusalem, (2) Paul and Barnabas recognized this and decided to spend a whole year with the Christians there, teaching them Bible truth and Gospel truth, and (3) those who were formerly called "disciples of Christ" were now called "Christians".
The name "Christian" spread throughout the region, so that even Agrippa knew what it meant (although he failed to be converted). Thus Christians and Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, and became the official religion of the Byzantine Empire. Eventually all of Europe became *Christian*. And later on all of North and South America. (Which does not necessarily mean that everyone had experienced the New Birth, but it does mean that Christian influence was evident in all aspects of life in these regions).
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Christians understand that no one is to act as our judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
The early Christians began to worship God on Sunday because the first day of the week became associated with Christ's resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; Revelation 1:10). We see from Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-3 that the early Church gathered together on the first day of every week in order to "break bread," and also to take up a "collection for the saints."
*Nowhere in the New Testament is the Church commanded to gather together to worship on the Jewish seventh day Sabbath.
History records that the early Christians were worshipping on Sunday as far back as the first and second centuries A.D. For example:
"But every Lord's Day, gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure." (Didache c. 80-140)
"No longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day." (Ignatius, c. 105) Ignatius here reveals that the “Lord’s Day” is separate from the Jewish Sabbath.
"I will make a beginning of the eighth day, that is, a beginning of another world. For that reason, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead." (Barnabas c. 70-130)
"There was no need of circumcision before Abraham. Nor was there need of the observance of Sabbaths, or of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses. Accordingly, there is no more need of them now." (Justin Martyr c. 160)
"We do not follow the Jews in their peculiarities in regard to food nor in their sacred days." (Tertullian c. 197)
"Just as the abolition of fleshly circumcision and of the old Law is demonstrated as having been consummated at its specific times, so also the observance of the Sabbath is demonstrated to have been temporary." (Tertullian c. 197)
"On the day of our Lord's resurrection, which is the Lord's Day, you should meet more diligently, sending praise to God who made the universe by Jesus... On this day, there is the reading of the Prophets, the preaching of the Gospel, the oblation of the sacrifice, and the gift of the holy food." (Apostolic Constitutions, compiled c.390)
So the actual Sabbath day according to the Jews is sundown on our Friday to sundown on our Saturday.
Sabbath keeping [with all it's rules and regulations] was part of a covenant with Israel that is not applicable to Christians under the New Covenant and the Sabbath day did not change from Saturday to Sunday.
The early Christians began to worship God on Sunday because the first day of the week became associated with Christ's resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; Revelation 1:10). We see from Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-3 that the early Church gathered together on the first day of every week in order to "break bread," and also to take up a "collection for the saints."
*Nowhere in the New Testament is the Church commanded to gather together to worship on the Jewish seventh day Sabbath.
History records that the early Christians were worshipping on Sunday as far back as the first and second centuries A.D. For example:
"But every Lord's Day, gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure." (Didache c. 80-140)
"No longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day." (Ignatius, c. 105) Ignatius here reveals that the “Lord’s Day” is separate from the Jewish Sabbath.
"I will make a beginning of the eighth day, that is, a beginning of another world. For that reason, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead." (Barnabas c. 70-130)
"There was no need of circumcision before Abraham. Nor was there need of the observance of Sabbaths, or of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses. Accordingly, there is no more need of them now." (Justin Martyr c. 160)
"We do not follow the Jews in their peculiarities in regard to food nor in their sacred days." (Tertullian c. 197)
"Just as the abolition of fleshly circumcision and of the old Law is demonstrated as having been consummated at its specific times, so also the observance of the Sabbath is demonstrated to have been temporary." (Tertullian c. 197)
"On the day of our Lord's resurrection, which is the Lord's Day, you should meet more diligently, sending praise to God who made the universe by Jesus... On this day, there is the reading of the Prophets, the preaching of the Gospel, the oblation of the sacrifice, and the gift of the holy food." (Apostolic Constitutions, compiled c.390)
So the actual Sabbath day according to the Jews is sundown on our Friday to sundown on our Saturday.
Sabbath keeping [with all it's rules and regulations] was part of a covenant with Israel that is not applicable to Christians under the New Covenant and the Sabbath day did not change from Saturday to Sunday.
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I believe that in the spiritual definition Christians are supposed to be Christ-like. Truly, I have seen few true Christians in my life's journey. Maybe I'm not really one either but I do trust in the shed blood of Jesus to be sufficient for the remission of my sins, and the Holy Spirit living in my heart to comfort and guide me along the way. It's like it says in the book of Isaiah, "Come now, and let us reason together....line upon line, precept upon precept. A little here, a little there."
Like many words used in the Bible, for instance the word apostle or seed , the original meaning was changed and it lost its value on how we can hear God, making the word of God without effect . It seems to violate the warning found in Deuteronomy 4 in respect to one word while another warning is in respect to the whole of scripture(the old testament and the new ) found in the closing statements in Revelation.. do not add or subtract from the whole or perfect now that it had come .
2 Ye shall not add unto the word (singular) which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it,(singular) that ye may keep the commandments (plural) of the Lord your God which I command you.Deuteronomy 4:2
In other words the meaning of the words are necessary to hear the gospel aright, change the meaning of one word, or a phrase.... destroy the integrity of the whole.(commandments)
It clear by looking at the usage of the word "called" that God had a purpose for calling his bride... Christians. It is related to the phrase "disciples of Christ" but not disciples were true believers but again it seems to lose its intent to directly represent His bride the church.
God had promised in the old testament that he would name His bride a new name , the fulfillment is found in Acts . Over the years I have heard the name was a derogatory name given by the Jews or enemies of Christ.
The original meaning co inside with the idea of the bride of Christ .Christian meaning resisdence of the city of Christ with Christ our husband as the founder. She will come down prepared as a Christian city, called the new heavenly Jerusalem on the last day.
The "ian" in the words Christian as to the suffix denotes the residents of a city .. Just like when used with Corinthians, residents of the city or Corinth, named after its founder . Or Galatians or like Nicolaitans named after its founder Nicole. Or Lutherans, a denomination named after its founder.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word (singular) which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it,(singular) that ye may keep the commandments (plural) of the Lord your God which I command you.Deuteronomy 4:2
In other words the meaning of the words are necessary to hear the gospel aright, change the meaning of one word, or a phrase.... destroy the integrity of the whole.(commandments)
It clear by looking at the usage of the word "called" that God had a purpose for calling his bride... Christians. It is related to the phrase "disciples of Christ" but not disciples were true believers but again it seems to lose its intent to directly represent His bride the church.
God had promised in the old testament that he would name His bride a new name , the fulfillment is found in Acts . Over the years I have heard the name was a derogatory name given by the Jews or enemies of Christ.
The original meaning co inside with the idea of the bride of Christ .Christian meaning resisdence of the city of Christ with Christ our husband as the founder. She will come down prepared as a Christian city, called the new heavenly Jerusalem on the last day.
The "ian" in the words Christian as to the suffix denotes the residents of a city .. Just like when used with Corinthians, residents of the city or Corinth, named after its founder . Or Galatians or like Nicolaitans named after its founder Nicole. Or Lutherans, a denomination named after its founder.
Yanno? You have a pretty valid point. Christians, have not only been "tricked" into changing their God? They also "suffer" from the "wrath" of God, by being "made" to believe the "lie" they have been "tricked" into. That lie being "All Ya NEED is LOVE!" Clipping and trimming even Paul's "clanging cymbal" message! FOREGOING in their eliminating every OTHER "Fruit of the Spirit", EXCEPT "love!"
IMHO, and in, and during my own personal experience/journeyings (of which, God, is still enduring with me, in His loving Kindness) in my seeking the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness: That although, "these things" which He "ADDS" (think of this, as the parable of the talents), are NOT "given!" Just what and how any particular believer does, in their ability (talent) of "incorporating" that which has been "added" in their "testimony, witness, works(internal mostly, with works/efforts)? DICTATES DIRECTLY, into how much "measure" of that which was "added", is kept! Or? How much is taken away! And? In the case of that "foolish" servant? Even THAT which was given him, was taken away! (becoming) Just a "shell" of a "called out from the world" CHURCH! Being considered a C.I.N.O., is even too much for "some" people. As the "love" they THINK they are giving to God? Is actually love they are giving unto the one, who WANTS to takes GOD'S Throne! It is called many names in the Bible. The name I want to use here, describes it, as a "tea asher." A "spindly" little tree, which offers NO shade (rest) to speak of.