Acts Series Part 15: The Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch

Send Dean your question here When the Church Looks Like Jesus: Acts 11: 19-30 The word Christian is one of the most recognised words in the world, yet it can mean very different things to different people. For some it describes a personal faith in Jesus; for others it simply reflects a cultural background, family tradition or belief in God. We often find ourselves adding qualifiers—practising Christian, committed Christian, born-again Christian or Bible-believing Christian—because the word on its own has become so broad.  Yet in the New Testament, Christian appears only three times. The first is here in Acts 11, where Luke writes, "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." Before they were ever known as Christians, they were known as disciples—people who followed Jesus, learned from Him, became like Him and joined in His mission. Christian was not the title they chose for themselves; it was the description others gave them because their lives so clearly reflected Christ.  Acts 11 gives us one of the clearest pictures of a healthy church. Ordinary believers, scattered by persecution, faithfully shared the good news wherever life took them. They didn't wait for the apostles or for organised events; they simply spoke about Jesus in their everyday lives, and God blessed their witness. When Barnabas arrived from Jerusalem, he didn't come looking for faults but rejoiced when he saw the grace of God at work. Rather than criticising, he encouraged the believers to remain faithful to the Lord.  Recognising that the church needed to be strengthened, Barnabas sought out Saul, and together they spent a whole year teaching the growing church. Antioch reminds us that healthy churches don't simply make converts—they make disciples. Spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident; it comes as God's people are taught, encouraged and formed together in the life of Christ.  The church was also sensitive to the Holy Spirit. When Agabus, prompted by the Spirit, warned of a coming famine, the believers didn't ignore the message or respond with fear. They listened, discerned what God was saying and acted in faith. Their response was immediate and practical as they collected a gift to support believers in Judea. The gospel had created a new family in which Jewish and Gentile believers cared for one another across cultural and geographical boundaries.  Luke's emphasis throughout the chapter is not on the church's size, influence or programmes, but on its character. Antioch was a church that proclaimed Christ, celebrated God's grace, devoted itself to making disciples, listened to the Holy Spirit and loved generously. It reflected Jesus so clearly that the surrounding community gave the disciples a new nickname: Christians.  Acts 11 invites us to ask not simply whether we wear the label Christian, but whether we are living as disciples of Jesus. Are we naturally speaking about Christ in our daily lives? Are we quick to celebrate God's grace in others? Are we growing to become more like Jesus? Are we listening and responding to the Holy Spirit? And would those around us recognise Christ in us? The goal of the church has never been merely to produce people who identify as Christians, but to form disciples whose lives point unmistakably to Jesus. You can see past sermons on the Leominster Baptist Church website at  Leominster Baptist Church - YouTube and can contact us directly with your feedback or queries through the Contact Us link at the top of the episode description text. Leominster Baptist Church can be found on Etnam Street in Leominster, Herefordshire. To find out more about us, visit our website leobc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to someone about anything that you have heard on our podcasts please give us a call and ask for a chat.