5/5/57

Scripture: Acts 11: 19-30

At a conference made up of delegates from a number of colleges, the young men present were asked, “What is your definition of a Christian?” The delegate from one college answered “Oscar Westover.” He was the president of their college YMCA that year. They had read his life, every day, and it told of the manhood of the Master.

There is something about a real Christian that reminds people of Christ. Something of his or her thoughts, actions, spirit, which shows under all sorts of trying circumstances, seems to reflect the shining life of the great soul that lived in Palestine over 19 centuries ago and that still lives in our experience.

Not too long ago there was a great Christian teacher in one of our colleges of whom one student said: “If there were only one such man produced in a century, I should know that there is something real in the Christian religion.”

A taxicab, going down the street of a modest sized city, passed the automobile in front of him, recognized the occupant of the other car, and waved a friendly greeting. He then spoke to his own passenger, remarking, “If there is any such thing as a true Christian in this world, that man is it.” It happened that the taxicab passenger also knew the occupant of the other car, and he nodded his head in agreement.

It is something to give one pause for reflection that one man can exert such Christian influence merely driving down the street of a busy town. Quite unaware of what was going on, he was an effective witness for Jesus Christ, and the Christian way of life.

It might give each of us Christian folk quite a bit to think about if we were to ask of ourselves such questions as “What might people choose to say of me as I drive, or walk, down the street?” “Do people have any right to say that I am a Christian?” “Can they tell by my life that I am Christian?” “Does my personal character reflect the qualities of a genuine disciple of the Master?” “Does anyone else want to be a Christian because of me?”

Just how effective, do you suppose, is the witness of each one of us, not only spoken, but inherent in the way we live and deal with other people about us?

The disciples at Antioch certainly made an impression on that city! It was a thriving metropolis - a great city - and the little group of followers of the Nazarene were no more than a handful of sand compared to the whole beach. But the influence of their lives was all out of proportion to their numbers. It was in Antioch that they were first called “Christian.” Probably the name was first bestowed in some derision upon the followers of Jesus. But the very fact that they did become known by that name bears eloquent testimony to the character, and manner of life, of those early disciples who became known there as Christian.

The biblical record, in the book of Acts, does not elaborate on the simple statement that the followers of Jesus were first known as “Christian” in Antioch. Nothing more is said about the origin of the name. But it is safe to say that those folk made a noticeable impression on the people of that city.

It is not difficult, as we read the record of outstanding Christians in that period, to ascertain what were the characteristics of those disciples in Antioch that distinguished them as Christian and made them particularly noticed by others, and influential among others.

(1) For one thing, they were noticed because they were different. The city of Antioch, not only a very big city, and a city so beautiful that it was called the “Queen of the East,” was also known throughout the ancient world for its evil ways. It was a center of pagan idolatry. It was noted for abominable sex practices carried on in the name of the pagan religion. It was a melting pot of East and West, combining not only the enlightenment of each but the immorality and crooked ways of each. And its reputation as such was unchallenged and unrivaled in the East.

It was right there, in the midst of that environment, that the disciples of Jesus were branded with the name “Christian,” which name has been the particular glory of the Christian Church. It is one of the paradoxes of Christian history that so evil a city should have played such an important role in the development of the Christian church.

As part of their lives that were different, the early Christians were known because of the things they did not do. They believed in the dignity of life. Consequently they would not attend the amphitheater of that city to watch people slaughtered to make a Roman holiday. They believed that their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit. Therefore they would not defile themselves with pagan immoral practices. Believing in decency and in purity of mind, they would not attend Roman theaters to witness the obscene stage productions which were popular in that decadent society. In part, it was because they would not participate in these aspects of Roman society that they were mocked and derided and scornfully referred to as “Christians.”

But the Christians were further known for what they were and for what they would do, and did. They were by no means mere negatives. They lived life fully and abundantly. At regular intervals, they gathered into someone’s home for worship and Christian companionship. They listened to the messages concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. They prayed for themselves, for each other, and for their enemies. They obeyed Jesus’ exhortation and example to walk in love. They were known for their patience, their kindness, their gentleness, to their friends and to their enemies as well. It was a pagan philosopher who commented: “Behold how these Christians love one another!” Their personal lives reflected their dominant faith in life everlasting.

The great need of the church in any age is to have people whose lives reflect the character of the Christ they profess. Your life can be a personal testimony to the redeeming power of Christ, as were the lives of those early disciples at Antioch. This can be done by any of us when we are able to apprehend the faith by which the Christians at Antioch, and elsewhere, have lived. “What is this faith?” we may ask. And the answer in not difficult.

(2) The disciples at Antioch were called “Christian” because they believed in the living presence of Christ. Jesus was not just a remembered relic of the past to these people. Some of these folk had seen and known Jesus in the flesh. They recalled his teachings with joy. They marveled at the wondrous things they had seen him do. They remembered with pain the stinging rebukes the Master had for their sin. They knew of his hanging on a cross. They may have heard his prayer for the forgiveness of his torturers. Perhaps they had seen the tomb where he was laid. But it was none of these things which, alone, caused the disciples to live and die for Christ.

The faith by which the church lived was the faith that the spirit of Jesus Christ was present with them, alive and vital. It was that faith which had pulled the dejected and forlorn and defeated apostles together again after the Easter experience; and then the Pentecost experience of the holy spirit, that sent them out with eager confidence.

The assurance of Jesus, “Lo, I am with you always” was more than a promise to those Christians. It was an experience! Those disciples referred to themselves as “witnesses of the resurrection.”

Paul was encountering countless difficulties and dangers, and some suffering in his missionary travels. And he knew of the difficulties of his little groups of Christians in many communities. But, even when speaking of these troubles and difficulties, he adds joyfully: “Nevertheless, the Lord stood by us.”

Perhaps the very thought that the Master does stand by his own has been the strongest reminder to Christians down throughout the ages to be and do what he wills to have done in our lives. It is very unlike the fearsome and superstitious notion of a “ghost” that restrains some folk. It is the inspiring, strengthening, joyful conviction of those who know that heir own lives are made more fruitful and meaningful by that living presence. For the assurance of Jesus Christ: “I am with you always” is for us today just as it was for the little groups of apostles, and for the little groups of disciples that made up the early church.

In your moments of great happiness, Christ is with you to rejoice with you. In the hour of your temptation, he is beside you to strengthen you. In the time of sorrow he is there to comfort you and bring you hope. When you are frustrated or anxious, it is his presence that brings the peace that enables you to take a good course.

Those disciples at Antioch were called “Christian” because their lives were different, and because they believed in the living presence of Christ.

Further, they were called Christian because they had a purpose in life. They were neither idlers nor drifters. They had a mission which called up every available resource. Their mission had been given them in the commission of Christ: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every living person.” [Mark 16: 15]. And they were taking it seriously. It gave them more meaning in life than anything else had ever done. It still fills Christian life with meaning.

One of the great fears of our present age is that life may have no meaning. And for all who are plagued with this uncertainty or fear, there is discontentment and unhappiness, without knowing why.

In a current story of a couple in this frame of mind, the young wife says to the husband, “I don’t know what’s the matter with us. Your job is plenty good enough. We’ve got three nice kids, and lots of people would be glad to have a house like this. We shouldn’t be so discontented all the time.”

It may be that this passage found dramatic response in thousands of readers who were also discontented without knowing why.

A lot of this discontentment is not necessary to the life of an individual, and it will not be found in the lives of those who have meaning and purpose in life. The Christian has the meaning and purpose of the mission to “Go into all the world and preach and live the gospel to every living creature.” And this does not mean hustle off to the Australian bush, or to South American jungles to evangelize the aborigines, though it does mean that for some few who feel called to do so and must be supported in their endeavor. It does mean constant Christian testimony by word and more particularly, by deed and attitude, right here where we live and work, live, love, argue and make our place in the community of people.

Christians in every generation have given themselves to this great mission, just as they did in the first century of our Lord. But the world is still to be won to Christ.

God calls a selected number today, as he called Paul and Barnabas, in that Antioch group, to go into other lands to preach the riches of Christ. And it may be that there is more than one in this room who has such a call to special Christian tasks. Nevertheless there are far more folk who remain at home, some unable to meet the exacting requirements of mission Boards, to whom God also gives opportunity to serve. More people than you would suppose, give time and attention and thought and study to teaching in Christian Church Schools; to expressing faith in Christian music; to the care of the Christian Church’s housing; to the promotion of Christian fellowship and action; to the mobilizing of Christian support in prayer and service and substance. And more of this is needed in Christian organization. But the Christian spirit is essential to give it all purpose.

It was the spirit of the Christians at Antioch which found expression in service. When news came to Antioch of famine conditions down at Jerusalem, the church at Antioch immediately took action to send aid to their brethren in need. It was the Antioch church which first sent out missionaries to proclaim the gospel to those of other lands.

It is the same spirit which does these things today and must do more to meet the needs of a world for which pagan, and evil philosophies are bidding.

The disciples at Antioch, where followers of Jesus were first called “Christian” did not inherit the name “Christian” -- they earned it. They earned it by living lives that were different; by believing in the presence of the living Christ, and by having specific purpose in life.

It was this quality of life that exposed them to ridicule in an un-Christian society and branded them as a special people called “Christian.” It was this quality which endured and weathered the derision, to make the name “Christian” one to be honored among people of good will and sincere purpose.

We who inherit this sacred name merely by belonging to a church, ought constantly to search our souls, and to demand of ourselves, a standard of worthiness to be called Christian. In a strict sense none of us is worthy to be called Christian, for we nowhere nearly approach the quality and character of our Master.

Yet each of us can live lives just as significant and meaningful as that of any person in Antioch. Let it be our purpose and our accomplishment to live so that people may call us Christian because of our living, productive faith in Jesus Christ and because of lives that conform to the will of God. Amen.

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Dates and Places delivered:

Wisconsin Rapids, May 5, 1957

Wood County Infirmary, June 12, 1957

Wisconsin Rapids, July 17, 1966