Essential Baptist Principles_™
As taught in the Holy Scriptures
July 1  2012

Selected Scripture

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

The word Christian is used today by the world and most churches but there are still some of Christ's disciples that prefers not to refer to themselves as Christians. As the text indicates, the early Disciples of Christ were called Christians by others, not by themselves.

To be like Christ is something we all fall far short of and since our following Christ is always flawed we cannot claim that we are truly following him; therefore we prefer not to apply the name Christian to ourselves.

It was first used as a derogatory term applied to the Disciples of Christ and it still is being used in that way even today.

As the enemies of Christ like to point out, there have been  many wicked acts done by people claiming to be Christian but their wicked acts prove they are not like Christ nor following Him. (I.e. therefore not Christians) 

We are instructed to not suffer as an evil doer; yet if we suffer the derogatory 'Christian condemnation' from the world; we should glorify God!

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters."

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." I Peter 4:15-16

Elder Claude McKee

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