GOD’S DEFINITIONGOD’S DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIANOF A CHRISTIANACTS 11:19-26ACTS 11:19-26

GOD’S DEFINITIONGOD’S DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIANOF A CHRISTIANACTS 11:19-26ACTS 11:19-26

Isaiah 56:5 Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 56:5 Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Isaiah 62:2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.

Isaiah 62:2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.

Acts 11:26 …And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

The Greek word translated “called” is used only 9 times in the NT and always implies a divine source.

Thayer defines this way, “…to give a response to those consulting an oracle, to give a divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven 2a) to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed 2b) to be the mouthpiece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands of God…”

Acts 11:26 …And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

The Greek word translated “called” is used only 9 times in the NT and always implies a divine source.

Thayer defines this way, “…to give a response to those consulting an oracle, to give a divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven 2a) to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed 2b) to be the mouthpiece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands of God…”

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.

• Christians are not quitters

• Christians will preach or teach the Word of Christians will preach or teach the Word of God God

• Every Christian should be studying the Every Christian should be studying the Word of God Word of God

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.

• Christians are not quitters

• Christians will preach or teach the Word of Christians will preach or teach the Word of God God

• Every Christian should be studying the Every Christian should be studying the Word of God Word of God

Acts 11:20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 15:23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

• Christians should reach out to everyone without partiality.

James 2:9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Acts 11:20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 15:23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

• Christians should reach out to everyone without partiality.

James 2:9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Christian do not care who gets the credit for the good that is done

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers9 For we are God's fellow workers

Christian do not care who gets the credit for the good that is done

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers9 For we are God's fellow workers

Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great numberthem, and a great numberbelieved and turned to the Lord.believed and turned to the Lord.

(Aorist (Aorist participle) Must participle) Must occur before occur before the leading the leading verb.verb.

Leading Leading VerbVerb

So turning to the Lord is not believing it So turning to the Lord is not believing it is something else. is something else.

ESV Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Belief and repentance must occur before a person can turn to the Lord.

ESV Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

Belief and repentance must occur before a person can turn to the Lord.

So, what does turning to the Lord involve? So, what does turning to the Lord involve?

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19Repent turn againthat your

sins

Acts 2:38 Repentbe baptized for the forgivenessof your

sins

may be blotted out

Turning to Lord = being baptized

Acts 11:22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

• Christian should be ready to go where they are needed

Acts 11:22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

• Christian should be ready to go where they are needed

ESV Acts 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

• Others should be able to see the grace of God in you

• A Christian is a person who will exhort or A Christian is a person who will exhort or encourage other Christians encourage other Christians

ESV Acts 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

• Others should be able to see the grace of God in you

• A Christian is a person who will exhort or A Christian is a person who will exhort or encourage other Christians encourage other Christians

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

• A Christians as someone who is good

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.in purity.

Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

• A Christians as someone who is good

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.in purity.

Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people.

• A Christian will seek the help of other Christians when needed

Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people.

• A Christian will seek the help of other Christians when needed

A Christian assembles with the saints.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as ourselves together, as is is the manner of the manner of some, but exhorting some, but exhorting one another, one another, and so and so much the more as you see the Day much the more as you see the Day approaching. approaching.

A Christian assembles with the saints.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as ourselves together, as is is the manner of the manner of some, but exhorting some, but exhorting one another, one another, and so and so much the more as you see the Day much the more as you see the Day approaching. approaching.

Acts 11:26 And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.Acts 11:26 And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.