Daily Devotional – Saturday, August 14, 2021
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 11:26 (NKJV)
Many people proudly claim to be Christians today. However, in the early centuries after Christ’s ascension, it was risky and dangerous to be called a Christian.
In Acts 24:14, Paul told Felix, “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers.”
The term, The Way, was perhaps the most widely used to describe Christians (read Acts 9:2, Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23 and Acts 24:22). Some Bible scholars believe this label emanated from the words of Jesus in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
It was not easy being a Christian. In fact, Paul of Tarsus made a hobby out of persecuting and killing Christians before he became one of them.
Owing to the teachings and character traits of the ‘followers of Christ’, Luke records in Acts 11:26, “…and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” This, too, was a derogatory term.
The Roman Emperor, Diocletian, (AD 285-305) is perhaps worst persecutor of Christians in history. He hunted down Christians and burned scriptures indiscriminately.
By the grace of God, the more Christians were martyred, the more they increased. In the words of Tertullian, a Christian author (AD 160-220), “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Many Christians were tried, convicted, and jailed or killed, because of their faith in Christ.
Today, ask yourself, “If I am accused of being a Christian, will a judge find me guilty? Will there be sufficient evidence to convict me?
Lord Jesus, teach me to be a genuine Christian – Your true follower.
Please let other readers know what you think about this devotional through your comments. Be blessed.
It’s a pity how much we hold lightly the title of a Christian. Much more serious is how we defile the name by our wayward actions and words
Very unfortunate situation. May God help us to live as per the faith we profess. Amen, Fred.
Let me say being nicknamed it is common in our society. Some nicknames bring sadness which may end to fights. Other nicknames are positive, but very few.
Generally, nicknames are not perceived kindly.
Even today, newly converted Christians are worried of being called Christians.
But, it’s good for us to be identified with Christ.
It gives us credit and identity.
Thank you, Pastor. It took a lot of courage to identify oneself as a Christian in the first centuries. Thanks God the negative nickname became the best title one could get. However, can we make the same sacrifices as our early predecessors in defense of the name of Christ. That’s the challenge posed by this devotional. Be blessed.
May God teach me to follow His Son’s footsteps,and help me become a true Christian 🙏
Halleluyah, Chairman. Our God answers such prayers immediately.
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