What’s In A Name

What’s In A Name

Bible: Acts 11:19-26

Reading

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (EPHESIANS 4:1).

Names have different meanings around the world. In some places, it doesn’t really matter what you’re called. But my Chinese family name sets me apart in my culture. It also gives me a family responsibility. I am a member of the Hia family. As a member of the family, I am expected to carry on the Hia name by having children and keep the honour of my family line.

Anyone who has trusted Jesus to save them now has a special spiritual family name. We are called “Christians”. But this is more than just a name.

In the New Testament, the name Christian was first given to the church in a place called Antioch by those who saw their changed lives (ACTS 11:26). Two things stood out about these Christians. They talked about the good news of Jesus everywhere they went (V.20). And they were very excited to learn from the Bible as Barnabas and Saul taught them (V.26)

The name Christian literally means someone who ‘sticks’ to Jesus Christ. Today many people call themselves Christians. But should they?

If you call yourself a Christian, does your life tell others who Jesus is? Do you get excited to hear God speak through the Bible? Do your actions live up to Jesus’ love and the name you now have?

What’s in a name? When the name is “Christian”, the answer is: a lot!

A CHRISTIAN SHOWS JESUS TO THE WORLD.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries