In Acts 11:26, we read where the disciples were called by a new name. “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” This text records the fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 56:5, 62:2, and 65:15. In these passages, we see that God had a new name in mind for His disciples. Yet, Christ’s disciples were described in different ways, just as a man can be described as a father, son, husband, uncle, grandfather, etc. Let us look at the descriptions that were given to Christians as a result of their obedience. Do any of these words describe you? If not, why not?
Christians: Not only does Acts 11:26 say this, but two other New Testament passages speak of disciples being Christians (Acts 26:28; I Pet. 4:16). Agrippa refused to be part of God’s family. He refused to be called by that name of Christian. Those who will obey God will want to take the name of Christ! What will you do?
Sons of God: John wrote that those who believe have the “power to become the sons of God” (Jn. 1:10-13). Paul said, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:13-14). In Philippians 2:14-16, we read, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Would God consider you His son (child)? Why not?
The Seed of Abraham: In Galatians, Paul had to deal with the Judaizing teachers. As he defeated their doctrine, he said, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:27-29). Long ago, Abraham received the promise that through his seed would all nations be blessed (Gen. 15:5-6, 17:1-8, 22:15-18). Paul taught that the “seed” was Christ (Gal. 3:16). Because of this promise, we see that not only are physical nations promised, but Christians are also “Abraham’s seed.” Have you been baptized “into Christ”? If so, you are the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29).
Joint-Heirs with Christ: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17). To be a “joint-heir” is to be a “participant with others; joint partner; person with whom one is partaker of a thing” (Thayer p. 593). As disciples, we are joint partners with Christ. As “joint partners” we must partake in the bad as well as the good. In other words, we must endure hardships as Christ did (II Tim. 2:3; Jn. 15:18-19), and then we can look forward to Heaven, the home of the soul. Let us examine ourselves and make sure we are true disciples. If we are not willing to suffer for Christ, what kind of disciples are we?
Soldiers: Timothy was warned, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. 2:3-4). The word “hardness” in this text means, “to suffer evils, to be afflicted” (Thayer’s, p.320). Being a soldier implies being active! It means that we are under one commander (God). Being a “soldier” also implies that there is going to be hand-to-hand combat. We are not an airborne unit; neither are we a company of spiritual pacifists! We must fight principalities and powers with God’s armor and the sword of the Spirit (II Cor. 10:4-5; Eph. 6:13-18). This is not to say we are rude and mean to people. Rather, we must be as Christ and the apostles in preaching the truth (Matt. 15:13; II Tim. 2:17). There is a time to use the sword, and we need to be skilled enough to use it (Eph. 6:11-12)! To stand idly by in the service of the Lord is to be insubordinate!
Let us all work diligently to bring people to Christ that they might be His disciples and wear His name!
- The Old Paths, August 16, 2026
- Bulletin for the Spencer Church of Christ, Spencer, IN