(Essay) The very moment we were called Christians

Acts 11:20-21 tells us a very touching story. It’s about the history of the name of Christians.

Following Stephen’s death, there was persecution against Jesus’ disciples. They left Jerusalem for as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.

Even though they escaped to other cities, the disciples were not silent, sharing the Gospel. At first, they spread the Words only among Jews. But some of them, from Cyprus and Cyrene, also began to speak to Greeks.

This remarkable challenge was made in Antioch. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:21) How could this occur?

We need to remember the Cornelius case in Acts 10. Let me make a long story short.

Cornelius was a Roman centurion. Nevertheless, the apostle Peter preached to Cornelius and his family members. The Holy Spirit came on them. God accepted them as Jesus’ disciples. 

But after that, Peter had to explain his action to church leaders in Jerusalem. They criticized Peter, saying, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:3)

Peter tried to persuade them and resulted in success. They had no further objections and praised God.

The issue of spreading the Gospel to Gentile was not easy for both Peter and Jerusalem church leaders. By the way, some anonymous disciples made it in Antioch. They must have been full of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led them to speak to Greeks.

Hearing the news, the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch. Why Barnabas? Presumably, because Barnabas was from Cyprus, where some of the Antioch people were from. They might have already known each other. Barnabas must have been the best person to serve as a bridge between Jerusalem and Antioch. 

Barnabas brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch. Both taught there a whole year, and the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts11:26)

Think about Paul. This ministry was a remarkable opportunity for Paul. Jesus called Paul as the apostle for Gentiles, but Paul hadn’t had a chance to do his role until then. His mission could begin from the time.

Isn’t it marvelous? It was only some anonymous disciples. They opened the door of mission towards Gentiles. Through their seed minister, Paul could officially become a church minister. Afterwards, the Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas as missionaries.

Likewise, the unknown believers were kernels of wheat, which died and produced many seeds. (John 12:24) Thanks to their commitment, we are now called Christians.

We got a worldly saying, “When tigers die, they leave their leathers behind. When people die, they leave their names behind.”

But the saying of the Bible is different. 1Kings 19:18 tells us the delight of God for seven thousand people leaving no names behind.

God was so proud to tell Elijah, “I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Are we are not as famous as Elijah or Paul? We don’t have to care about that. If God is proud of us, is the grace not sufficient?    

Let us not worry about our names left behind us. Even if all people but God forget our names, God alone is more than enough. For, God is everything.