When the apostle Paul arrived in Rome, he spoke to Jews who wanted to know what he believed;
"for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against" ( Acts 28:22 )
The believers who belonged to this sect "were called Christians" ( Acts 11:26 ), a name that had been first used probably by opponents years before.
It was not the name by which the Apostles under the inspiration of God and the guidance of the Lord Jesus knew them. Members of this despised sect, were known as "disciples, saints, brethren in Christ, joint heirs with Christ, children of God", amongst others found in the New Testament. The Jewish “brethren" who were in the early church, believed that Jesus of Nazareth, whose crucifixion had been engineered by their religious leaders, was the long promised Messiah, or the Christ their future King.
They had been baptised on their confession that only in him, could they find forgiveness for their sins. (Acts2:38). The Gentile part of the Church had left paganism and the false worship of idols
"to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven" (1 Thessalonians 1:9.10)
He would come again to "rule the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31), and "establish God’s Kingdom here on Earth" ( 2Timothy 4:1 & Revelation 5:10 ).
This would be realised after their personal resurrection from the dead. This teaching of the Apostles in the first century is true Christianity. It comes direct from Jesus himself and it is what the New Testament offers. For "it is the power of God unto salvation" and the way to eternal life. This must be worth knowing about!
Comments