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” (Matthew 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 Christ’s message to people in Antioch, and God referred to those who heeded Christ’s doctrine as Christians in Acts 11:26.
In the New Testament, the qualification for being a Christian is not following man’s rules, but rather following the Word of Christ (Colossians 3:16). The apostles did at times encourage people to be followers of themselves, but only insomuch as they followed Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 11:1;
1 Thessalonians 1:6). Following fallible men as the standard leads to divisions and many different ideas of what’s right (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). It’s when we obey Christ that we become united through the Gospel.
Consider the application of this principle today. What would God say of the thousands of “denominations” and “sects” that exist? “Is Christ divided?”
(1 Corinthians 1:13a).
What would God say of the creeds that have been penned by men as guidelines in religious matters? Has God not given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3)?
God did not call those meeting at Antioch “Paulians.” The group didn’t follow “Barnabas’ Official Creed.” Such might seem odd, yet this is similar to what is often done today.
There are some individuals though who do not bear the name of a man-made denomination, but simply aim to be Christians like those in Antioch. There are some individuals who do not religiously follow doctrines or creeds from the minds of fallible men, but simply aim to follow Christ’s Word. There are some who, like the church meeting at Antioch, simply strive to be the church God designed, allowing His Word to determine the organization, work, and worship of the church. Won’t you choose to follow the simple pattern of the New Testament and be a part of the Lord’s body?
– Michael Hickox