It is still ok to call yourself a Christian after seeing this. One thing to keep in mind is that the word Christian is used only 3 times in the scriptures. Only 3 times? Yup.
Acts 26:28-Agrippa asked Paul if he was trying to turn him into a Christian.
1 Peter 4:16-Peter tells people that if they are beaten for being called a Christian to praise God for the name.
Acts 11:26-Antioch was the first place they were called Christians. This is YEARS after the death and resurrection of Jesus. So during the life of Christ and years after his death went by the name Christian.
Apparently, while it is a name to hold in esteem, they didn’t feel that their identity was tied into a title but a lifestyle.
The word most used to describe our relationship with Christ over 290 times is the word disciple. The Hebrew word is talmid. The plural is talmidim. Now there is all kinds of historical work we could do in looking at what it meant to be and become a disciple. You can just check out this link if you want to.
Over the next few days I will mention 10 traits of a first century disciple:
1. That you have a rabbi. Rabbi was a term of reverence meaning “my master” or teacher. It is a far cry from today’s rabbi connected to a degree and synagogue. A rabbi was someone who’s life spoke for itself. Jesus was called a rabbi by six different social groups in the scriptures: His disciples (Luke 7:40), lawyers (Matt. 22:35?36), ordinary people (Luke 12:13), the rich (Matt. 19:16), Pharisees (Luke 19:39), and Sadducees (Luke 20:27?28).
2. A disciple’s goal was to be like his rabbi. This was a holistic thing. You weren’t just a head learner or a heart learner. You were a life-learner. You wanted to live your life is such a way that if your rabbi were in your sandals he would move. You wanted to hear as your rabbi would hear and see what he would see in any situation. Your goal wasn’t to be inspired but to imitate. a.k.a. the story of Grant and skipping rocks
3.
The plural of disciple is disciples but theologically the plural of disciple is church.
