The Bible tells us that Believers were first called Christians in Antioch. But that was some time after the church spread across Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Have you ever wondered what Christians were called before the church sprung up in Antioch? I think it is worth our seeing how people who first followed Christ were recognized in those early days. Look with me in Acts 9 where we have the exciting story of the conversion of Saul who became The Apostle Paul.
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.
DISCIPLES
The first word used for Christians here is disciple. In verse 1 and verse 10 this word is used by Luke who is telling the story. Luke did not write this until long after people had begun calling us Christians. But it is important that he calls us disciples, those who learn from Jesus.
Belonging to THE WAY
When Paul went to the Chief Priest asking letters of authority to arrest believers in Damascus, he called them those belonging to The Way. I assume Paul and the High Priests recognized that Christianity is a completely new way of life.
SAINTS
When the Lord told Ananias to go lay hands upon Saul, Ananias objected because he had heard that Saul was doing evil to the Lord’s saints. Now it is important to understand that Ananias was not calling Christians super pharisees. The word saint does not imply any holiness of our own. It means we have been sanctified. We have been made holy before God by the forgiveness of Jesus who died for us.
Those who CALL ON HIS NAME
Ananias also calls believers, those who call on His Name. We are known by our prayers. We are to be known by whom we turn to in prayer. We cry out to God in crises and for every need in our lives.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Finally, it is crucial to see that the first thing Ananias said to Saul as he put his hands on him was, “Brother Saul.”
Paul had not been baptized. He was still blind from his encounter with the Lord. But he was already seen as a brother to those who had been given the right to call themselves, “Children of God,” John 1:12.
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