The Sacred Import of the Christian Name # 1

The Sacred Import of the Christian Name # 1

"The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch" (Acts 11:26).

Mere names are empty sounds, and but of little consequence. And yet it must be owned, that there are names of honor and significance; and, when they are attended with the things signified by them, they are of great and sacred importance! Such is the Christian name; a name about seventeen hundred years old. And now when the name is almost lost in party-distinctions, and the things signified by the name are almost lost in ignorance, error, vice, hypocrisy, and formality - it may be worth our while to consider the original import of that sacred name, as a proper expedient to recover both name and thing.

The name Christian was not the first by which the followers of Christ were distinguished. Their enemies called them Galileans, Nazarenes, and other names of contempt. And among themselves they were called Saints, from their holiness; Disciples, from their learning their religion from Christ as their Teacher; Believers, from their believing in Him as the Messiah; and Brethren, from their mutual love and their relation to God and each other.

But after some time they were distinguished by name of "Christians." This name, they first received in Antioch, a heathen city, a city infamous for all manner of vice and debauchery; a city that had its name from Antiochus Epiphanes, the bitterest enemy the church ever had. Antioch was a very rich and powerful city, from whence the Christian name would have an extensive circulation; but it is long since laid in ruins, unprotected by that sacred name. In such a city was Christ pleased to confer His name upon His followers; and you cannot see that the very choice of the place reveals His wisdom, grace, and justice.

The original word, which is here rendered "called," seems to intimate that they were "called" Christians by divine appointment, for it generally signifies a declaration from God; and to this purpose it is generally translated. Hence it follows that the very name Christian, as well as the thing, was a divine original; assumed not by a private agreement of the disciples among themselves - but by the appointment of God! And in this view it is a remarkable accomplishment of an old prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 62:2, "The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow." So Isaiah 65:15, "Your name will be a curse word among My people, for the Sovereign Lord will destroy you and call His true servants by another name."

This name was at first confined to a few; but it soon had a surprisingly extensive propagation through the world. In many countries, indeed, this name was lost. Yet the European nations still retain the honor of wearing it. A few scattered Christians are also still to be found here and there in Asia and Africa, though crushed under the oppressions of Mohammedans and Pagans. This name has likewise crossed the wide ocean to the wilderness of America, and is worn by the sundry European colonies on this continent.

We, in particular, call ourselves Christians, and would take it badly, to be denied the honor of that distinction. But do we really understand the meaning and sacred import of that name? Do we really know what it is to be Christians indeed? That is: are we in reality - what we are in name? Certainly it is time for us to consider the matter; and it is my present design that we should do so.

Now we may consider this name in various views; particularly as a name of distinction from the rest of the world, who know not the Lord Jesus, or reject Him as an impostor.

It is also a family name, pointing out the Father and Founder of our holy religion on the Christian church; as a badge of our relation to Christ as His servants, His children, His bride.

It intimates  our unction by the Holy Spirit, or our being the subjects of His influence; as Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit, or replenished with His gifts above measure, (for you are to observe that "anointed" is the English of the Greek name "Christ", and of the Hebrew, "Messiah." It signifies that we are the property of Christ, and His peculiar people.

My present design confines me to consider the Christian name only in two views: namely, as a universal name, intended to bury all party denominations; and as a name of obligation upon all that wear it to be Christians indeed, or to form their temper and practice upon the sacred model of Christianity.

1. Let us consider the Christian name, as a universal name, intended to bury all party denominations. The name Gentile was odious to the Jews, and the name Jew was odious to the Gentiles. The name Christian swallows up both in one common and agreeable appellation. He who has taken down the partition wall, has taken away partition names, and united all His followers in His own name - as a common denomination. For now, says Paul, "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free - but Christ is all and in all" (Col. 3:11). "And you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). According to a prophecy of Zechariah, "The Lord shall be king over all the earth; and in that day there shall be one Lord, and His name one" (Zech. 14:9).

~Samuel Davies~

(continued with # 2)