Written by Mark Driskill:
Tuesday March 29, 2011

Read Acts 11:19-26

“and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

I wonder what it was like to hear the name “Christian” for the very first time. These disciples were so committed to the message and ministry of Jesus that everyone started nicknaming them “Little Christ’s” or “Christ ones”. I wonder how those Antioch believers felt about having such a name attached to them. Was it humbling for them to be named so? Did it make them a little nervous to be called little Christ’s? I can imagine living in those days as a believer and having the name above all names used to define me.  Back in the beginning the term Christian was sometimes used to make fun of the disciples. The critics would snicker at those little imitators of “that prophet from Israel.” Others, upon seeing the love and power that flowed from their lives would speak the name “Christian” with admiration and respect. This is because in those days the name Christian was given to a disciple, or student follower – or Intern, if you will, of Jesus the Christ. But what does the name mean now? Somehow it seems to have lost something.

Now when the name Christian is used it can mean anything from ones religious designation or political leaning to your favorite brand of music. You can shop at Christian stores, go on Christian cruises, wear Christian clothes , even read Christian Romance novels. You can call yourself a flag waving American Christian even if you haven’t even seen the inside of a Bible or church. You can drive around with an “I love Jesus” bumper sticker on the right and an “I hate Obama” (or whoever you hate) sticker on the left. We’ve got Christian dating services, Christian diet plans, Christian exercise programs, and Christian fast food. But do we have any Christians? Do we even know what the name means anymore? Does the name Christian bear any resemblance to what it did when it was first used?

In far too many cases the name Christian has little to do with being a disciple of Jesus as it did in the early church. In those days you didn’t dare call yourself a Christian unless you were ready to die for the name. Now when we fill out applications and forms we casually place a check mark beside “Christian” to indicate our religious preference with no thought to what the name really means. When I hear of genocides committed by dictators claiming the name, and see crosses being burned in the name of hate and when I hear angry voices debating whether or not we are a Christian nation, it makes me wonder of we will ever be able to recover the power of the name “Christian.”

Will there ever be a time when Christian will once again be understood as a name for followers of Jesus? Will there ever be a time when “Christian ” is more than a clever marketing tool or platform for someone’s political aspirations? Will there ever be a time when people are afraid to call themselves Christian unless they are truly willing to identify with the crucified one? I guess it all depends on you and me. I cannot change what history has done with the precious name of Jesus, but I can impact what I do with it. I can make it my aim to identify my life with Jesus, so that when people look at me and say “Christian” they know I’m seeking to follow in his steps.

Whether they mock my faith walk or admire it may they know that I’m not a Christian because I’m American, or because of my political leanings. I’m not a Christian because of some cultural trend or fad. I’m Christian because my life is tied to the crucified one who has risen from the dead. The cross is not just a cool design to wear. It is a description of my life. As Paul wrote “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Jesus Christ now lives in me, and the life that I now live I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.