Called to Be a Peculiar People
All throughout history a particular group of people have always
in every generation have been called the people of God. For the past
2000 years, this group has come to be known as Christians.
The Name Christian
According to Easton’s Revised Bible Dictionary the word “Christian”
was the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to
the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by
which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren,"
"the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as
distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian"
came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but
three times in the New Testament Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16. What
was meant to be a derogatory term used to taunt and make a certain
group of people feel ashamed and unwanted is now associated with
blessing.
Now, the question is why did the people of Antioch nickname the
followers of Christ Christians? What was so different about them
that called for them to be disdained by the community in which they
lived? Could it be that the Antioch pagans simply did not like to
have anything to do with godliness as exhibited by the Christians or
by their way of life? There is an important difference between being
a "good" person and being a Christian. Somebody can have many good
attributes, he can even be a devoted helper or a generous person,
but these things do not make him a Christian. Good attributes are
advantageous for others on a certain level, but they can only be
used in the best way after a person has repented to God. If a person
wants to be "good" without repenting to God, there is a danger that
his "goodness" or "greatness" will cause others to respect and honor
him instead of honoring and following Jesus.
The New Creature
The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that “Therefore if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold
all things are become new.” A closer look at this verse reveals that
first a Christian should be in Christ. The life that a Christian
lives should no longer be for himself but for Christ. Next the
Christian is a new creature who is supposed to exhibit a life in
conformity to the new nature in him. Thirdly any previous lifestyle
lived becomes an issue of the past and buried with the old nature
that had passed away. The knowledge of God's own loving nature is
what leads Christians to devote themselves completely to serving God
and others. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
(1 John 4:8) Following Jesus means seeking what God wants to do with
our life in all points and in all moments. A Christian must be ready
to give up everything because of God. Manifesting the new nature and
life in Christ means a Christian must turn from pride and
materialistic pursuits and be ready to let go of his/her ambitions,
careers and hobbies for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This places
the Christian in a situation of total obedience and submission to
God. This kind of life does not appeal to the unbeliever and so
leads him/her to sometimes conclude that Christians are narrow
minded individuals. But that is what makes Christianity unique.