Acts 11:26: And when [Barnabas] had found [Saul], he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
After His resurrection, Jesus told “the eleven disciples” to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:16,19-20).
The apostles carried out this mission in the book of Acts. They did not teach people to follow man-made traditions or doctrines, but taught Jesus’ commands.
Barnabas and Saul (Paul), taught this message to people in Antioch, and in Acts 11:26, God deemed it appropriate to give those who heeded His commands the title of Christians. From that time on, God has referred to those in Christ as Christians (cf. 1 Pet. 4:16).
In the New Testament, the qualification for being a Christian is not following man’s checklist of rules, but rather following the Word of Christ (Col. 3:16). The apostles did at times encourage people to be followers of themselves, but only insomuch as they followed Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Thess. 1:6).
When Paul was tried before King Agrippa, Paul did not attempt to persuade Agrippa to believe his own opinions and ideas. Rather, Agrippa told him, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).
To those who claimed to be of Paul, he asked, “Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13b).
Following men leads to many different ideas about right and wrong (1 Cor. 1:11-12). It is only when we obey Christ that we become united in the Gospel (cf. Gal. 3:26-28; Phil. 2:1-2).
Consider the application of this principle today. What would God say of the thousands of “denominations” and “sects” that exist? “Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor. 1:13a).
What would God say of the “creeds” that have been penned by men as guidelines for how to please Him? Has God not given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3)? Is His Scripture not “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)?
God did not call those meeting at Antioch “Paulians.” The group didn’t follow “Barnabas’ Official Creed.” Such would seem odd, yet this is similar to what many do today.
The Bible is full of examples of men who thought their ideas and opinions ought to be followed instead of God’s. This was shown to be foolishness. Indeed, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12; cf. Prov. 16:25).
There are some individuals though who do not bear the name of a man-made group, but simply bear the name “Christian.” There are some individuals who do not follow doctrines or creeds from the minds of individuals, but simply aim to follow Christ’s Word.
This is the pattern the Holy Spirit through inspired men taught in the New Testament.
The Christians at Antioch were simply a local group of followers of Christ, who made decisions independent of other local churches, with Christ’s Word at the head of those decisions.
They had little of the things that people consider “impressive” in churches today, yet they were called Christians by God.
May we follow this example and in so doing please our Lord.
– Michael Hickox